PRI’s The World: Latest Edition: Recent Episodes
PRI’s The World: Latest Edition
Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is. The World is heard on over 300 stations across North America.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bluntly rejected a US-backed 15-point peace plan for Gaza this weekend. Also, how Shenzhen, China, became the electric car capital of the world. And, a look at why the Czech capital has voted to reinstate the statue of a 19th century military commander. Plus, cars resembling quirky objects are part of a public health intervention in India.
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The Indian government has declared heat waves to be official natural disasters. Also, with more than 4,000 cases reported in Democratic Republic of Congo, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say responders need to shift their focus to door-to-door disease tracking. And, just over a week since around 72,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, roughly 2,000 minors, most of them Moroccan children, remain there, exposed and unprotected. Plus, this week marked a chord change in one of the world's longest concerts — lasting hundreds of years.
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Iran's deputy foreign minister said today that his country and Oman are close to finalizing an agreement with the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Also, an ongoing NATO study tries to figure out why operators of high-speed rescue boats are at risk of chronic brain injuries. And, on the 81st anniversary of the US dropping a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, we discuss a recently unearthed memoir that offers a firsthand account of what one man witnessed that day. Plus, capybaras become frequent visitors at a state legislature in Brazil.
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Hundreds of people have been arrested across the Amazon this month in a sweeping five-country law enforcement operation going after a host of crimes in the world’s largest rainforest. Also, the Indian capital finds a creative way to beat the heat. And, France's first “House of Diversity” opens in Lyon. Plus, a century of Persian music in Iran.
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The EU is scrambling to contain the political fallout after more than 70,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco last Friday. Most have since returned home, but the critical response from several EU countries has laid bare divisions over the bloc's migration policy. Also, in India’s capital, public health experts are scrambling to offer protection for citizens against the deadly impact of severe heat. And, cadmium, a heavy metal linked to cancers and other diseases, is worrying French consumers — who, on average show, show levels in their bodies three to four times higher than the European average. Plus, a conversation with pioneering marine scientist Sylvia Earle as she reflects on decades spent under the sea.
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Ukrainian drones have been striking warehouses belonging to Russia’s online retailer Wildberries. Ukrainian officials say the company provides Russian forces with drone components and navigation equipment; but the Wildberries’ CEO rejects the claim. Also, Ireland has introduced a public register of people convicted of serious domestic violence offenses, following a four-year campaign by the family of a murdered Dublin woman. And, climbers mourn the death of the first Omani woman to summit Mount Everest. Plus, the Slovakian town that wants to get rid of its UNESCO designation.
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The UN’s Human Rights office has warned that Israeli settler violence in the West Bank is at an “all-time high.” Also, the US now controls much of Venezuela’s oil revenue, estimated at $13 billion in the first half of this year, but neither Washington nor Caracas have provided a full account of where the money has gone. And, Asia's soccer federation joined its European and North American counterparts in opposing FIFA's proposed privatization of the World Cup. Plus, a look at how AI is hijacking the identities of real musicians.
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UEFA — the European soccer governing body — says its 55 teams will sit out all FIFA competitions for as long as a plan to allow investors to buy 20% of the organization remains in place. Also, lab-grown diamonds have exploded in popularity — thanks to their high quality, low cost and ethical considerations — upending the market for natural, mined diamonds. And, China begins mass producing electric vehicles with sodium-ion batteries, widely considered more sustainable and accessible than the standard lithium-ion batteries. Plus, we take a listen to an era of Egyptian disco music.
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Members of a group known as the “Justice-Seeking Mothers” all have loved ones who were killed by the Iranian security forces during anti-government protests. They hold regular meetings and are united by the goal of keeping their children's stories alive. Also, Venezuela announces its plans to withdraw from the ICC. And, an investigation finds that an AI program in Canada that claims it can predict prisoners’ behaviors is meting out harsher conditions for Black inmates. Plus, a look at the fate of the beloved moped in Italy.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington for talks today with US President Donald Trump, facing growing differences with the US over the war with Iran and Mideast strategy. Also, tigers have rebounded, especially in Nepal, but as the government prepares to release the latest tiger numbers, the challenge is figuring out how people and predators can share the same landscape. And, the French army’s 8th Signal Regiment is breeding the continent’s last military carrier pigeons. Plus, scientists have reported more frequent sighting of "supergroups" of humpback whales off the coast of South Africa.
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For the first time, Spain has issued a state of emergency and tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in France as wildfires rage across western Europe. Also, Britain's National Crime Agency says one of the country's biggest cybersecurity threats is the rise of teenage hackers. And, a look at former Nepalese aid workers who have had to turn to sex work amid the fallout from US aid cuts. Plus, we take a listen to the music of young Algerian guitarist Fati Tiniri Tam.
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India is seeing a new wave of anti-government protests inspired by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party. Award-winning Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy discusses what the movement reveals about the country's political moment. Also, member states of the ICC have voted to remove its chief prosecutor Karim Khan. And, the US moves a considerable amount of military assets near the Middle East. Plus, an update on the “Mackerel Wars.”
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Houthi rebel attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and their blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are hiking oil prices. Also, two of OpenAI's agents teamed up in a surprise move to hack into a different company's digital library during a test when the AI models were supposed to be cut off from the internet. And, a look at the role of salmon in human migration to North America. Plus, a new establishment in Tokyo aims to teach foreigners about Japanese bar culture.
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US President Donald Trump has approved a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that would expand cooperation on nuclear energy, despite its leader suggesting it would build nuclear weapons if necessary. Also, residents of southern Iran say they're living in constant fear of further attacks while struggling to access basic necessities. And, Germany is set to ban alcohol from its national railway platforms and stations. Plus, a new UN report finds the number of people globally experiencing hunger dropped in 2025 compared to the year before.
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To mark the 47th anniversary of the toppling of Nicaragua’s dictatorship, President Daniel Ortega announced the country will no longer hold elections. Also, days after an ICE agent shot and killed 25-year-old Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Maine, his death is reverberating across the US and his native Colombia. And, a British amateur genealogist is tracking down and publishing into an online archive the stories of people who were enslaved on the former British colony of Grenada. Plus, digging for vinyl in Tijuana.
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While Iran and the US continued to trade attacks for an eighth consecutive night, Gulf states have had to defend themselves from Iranian drones and missiles in recent days. Also, views from Spain and Argentina as Spain celebrates its second World Cup championship title. And, protests continue in the Indian capital as the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party marches on Parliament to demand the education minister’s resignation. Plus, the new “Freedom Needs a Soundtrack” podcast tells the story of how the Tibetan Freedom Concerts began, what they achieved and what their legacy is.
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Massive wildfires in Canada are continuing to spread in Ontario, with intense fires in the north of the province prompting evacuations. Also, an anti-government activist enters 20 days of hunger strike in support of India’s “Cockroach Janta Party,” calling for the country's education minister to resign. And, the US has announced that it wants to dismantle the International Criminal Court. Plus, a correctional facility in Pennsylvania is trying to adopt the "Scandinavian Prison Project,” prioritizing the well-being of everyone in the prison system.
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We take a look at how the wildfires in Ontario are affecting the province's largest city. Also, Ukrainians take to the streets of Kyiv to protest the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov by the president And, France becomes the latest country to legalize assisted dying. Plus, an update on the World Cup as the final two games take place this weekend.
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Cuba’s entire national power grid collapsed yesterday — for the third time in less than 10 days. Also, Egypt announces the discovery of an entire city in the Western Desert. And, after years of negotiations between the EU and the UK, the border wall between the British territory of Gibraltar and Spain has come down. Plus, French singer Camille releases her first album in 15 years.
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Portugal is hoping to shift more emphasis from fire suppression to prevention — namely, improving how forests are managed so that they'll burn less. Also, a new music video released by two Iranian artists remembers the stories of the schoolchildren killed by a US strike on the southern Iranian city of Minab. And, fans worldwide are decrying the refereeing at this year’s World Cup. Plus, a look at how AI chatbots shift their values depending on which language they’re speaking.
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The US has once again imposed a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, designed to prevent any ships from leaving or entering Iranian ports. Also, following two powerful earthquakes that devastated Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, anger is growing in some of the hardest-hit communities over unsafe public housing. And, a look at how India’s caste system persists even in diaspora communities across the globe. Plus, a conversation with Cambodian singer Chhom Nimol on how she developed her unique voice.
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A massive wildfire is raging in southern Spain. Authorities in the region of Almería say at least twelve people have been killed, and many more are still missing. Also, as the World Cup reaches its final week, the spotlight is not only on the teams chasing a place in the semifinals but also on FIFA president Gianni Infantino. And, the death of a newlywed woman in Delhi last weekend is among a string of cases this year rekindling public discussion in India about dowry deaths. Plus, Egypt has announced the discovery of an entire city.
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After Venezuela’s deadly earthquakes, many international rescue teams have left as the window for finding survivors narrows. But Los Topos Aztecas — a legendary Mexican volunteer rescue brigade — says it is staying until no longer needed. Also, health workers on the frontline of the Ebola outbreak are on strike. And, Māori New Year has been an official holiday in New Zealand for the past four years, but some may be uncomfortable embracing the culture. Plus, in Uganda, scientists have found a new use for catnip: mosquito repellent.
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President Trump says the temporary deal with Iran “is over.” His comments follow a series of US strikes on Iran last night. Also, the International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee that’s been in effect since October of 2023. And, the tiny German village of Feldheim is generating its own electricity, heating its homes with farm waste and paying a fraction of the energy prices most Europeans face. Plus, find out why the tiny German village of Feldheim is world-famous.
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The strategic central Sudanese city of el-Obeid is now the focal point in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The three-year civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has taken hundreds of thousands of lives. And, Canada is facing its Brexit moment – and it's largely around oil. Also, Marine Le Pen, the French far-right leader and a frontrunner to win next year’s presidential election, has lost her appeal of an embezzlement conviction. But a court today cleared the way for her to run for office. Plus, how the World Cup has Cape Verdean tunes to the fore.
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Venezuela is still reeling from twin earthquakes that rocked the country's north on June 24. The official death toll has surpassed 2,500, with tens of thousands of people still displaced from their homes. And, widespread protests, economic pressures and a devastating war with the US have exposed deep divisions within the regime. Also, this week, the Turkish capital Ankara plays host to NATO’s 36th summit. And the run-up has been tense. Plus, a World Cup weekend recap.
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As the United States marks its 250th birthday, The World celebrates by listening to the music that’s been woven into the fabric of this country's story. Russian-born Serge Grin sings American country music and blues across Serbia. Also, Cuban American Gloria Estefan looks back at her successful career as a bilingual musician, singer and songwriter. And, a look at how the band Los Lobos celebrated its 50th anniversary of blending rock ’n’ roll and traditional Mexican music. Plus, how a gospel choir from South Africa's Soweto connected House beats with African music.
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Russian forces launched missile strikes on Kyiv overnight, destroying several residential buildings in the Ukrainian capital. Also, from Mexico to Spain, a crackdown on fake soccer jerseys. And, the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia is once again at a political crossroads after recent local elections delivered no clear majority. Plus, a look at Filipino Americans embracing the the music their parents brought stateside with them.
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A rift in the Catholic Church is coming to a head today after a breakaway group of ultra-conservative clergy, called the Society of St. Pius X, consecrated bishops without Vatican approval. Also, an update from Syria, where people are still waiting for justice and a better economy. And, UN plastics talks resume a year after negotiations collapsed. Plus, a listen to the best soccer song from Brazil.
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In the absence of help from officials, volunteers across Venezuela are turning their skills into disaster relief. Also, a conversation about how global odor pollution may be affecting plants, pollinators and entire ecosystems. And, after a stunning World Cup defeat of the German team, we break down what penalty shootouts actually are. Plus, immigration courtroom “angels” who help people understand what’s happening as they make their way through the court system.
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The new Bundibugyo strain is the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak ever, with over a thousand cases detected and more than 300 deaths in just one month in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Also, protests in Albania against plans for a multi-million-dollar luxury tourism development backed by Jared Kushner have expanded to include other grievances. And, a look at how Chinese immigrants from San Francisco helped establish birthright citizenship in the US. Plus, a rundown of the latest updates in the knockout phase of the World Cup.
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The official death toll from Venezuela’s back-to-back earthquakes has climbed to around 600, with thousands injured and more than 50,000 reported still missing. Also, we take a look at what motivates countries to become mediators. And, the overlooked role of Indigenous people during the American Revolution. Plus, a vacation offer for healthcare workers in Canada that turned out to be a phishing test.
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The government of Venezuela has declared a national emergency as the death toll climbs from two earthquakes and rescuers attempt to dig people out of the rubble. The quakes hit a country already weakened by years of economic collapse, strained healthcare and political disruption. Also, the 2026-2027 Census in India is being conducted mainly by women. And, new analysis finds an increase in lawsuits around the world targeting data centers. Plus, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek talks about how art has shaped his multi-year Out of Eden Walk.
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Activists and human rights groups abroad say the Iranian government is going after their loved ones inside Iran, arresting and intimidating them. They say it also goes after their assets, properties and bank accounts. Also, a new UN report charges Israel with deliberately targeting and killing Palestinian youth. And, a rare peek at an endangered flower in southern Kyrgyzstan. Plus, archaeologists discover the first shipwrecks tied to the Golden Age of Piracy in the Bahamas.
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Western Europe is in the midst of a severe heat wave, with the temperature in Paris hovering close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. An estimated 45 people have already died in France as a result, many from drowning while trying to cool off. Also, a look at how Brexit continues to shape British politics a decade later. And, US funding cuts to South Africa could risk an HIV/AIDS rebound. Plus, a new type of shoe that keeps your feet cool and comfortable.
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Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned, less than two years after taking office. His resignation makes him the latest in a series of short-lived UK leaders, with the country now set to see its seventh prime minister in 10 years. Also, in Colombia, a conservative pro-Trump lawyer won the country’s presidential election on Sunday, as expected, but by only 1%. And, officials in the Crimean Peninsula have suspended its sale of fuel to the public indefinitely. Plus, a round-up of the latest in World Cup excitement.
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June 19, now recognized as the federal holiday Juneteenth, commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the United States learned of their freedom. In The World’s Juneteenth special, we examine racial inequalities in higher education in India and South Africa, and consider who benefits from a college education. We also visit Louisiana to explore how the history and legacy of slavery are taught in the United States today. Plus, we speak with Rhiannon Giddens, known as the “banjo auntie,” about her efforts to teach others about the banjo's African origins.
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The US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding aims to end regional fighting, but Israel and Lebanon remain key wild cards. Any renewed violence along their shared border could quickly put the agreement at risk. Also, the EU is rolling out the biggest overhaul of its asylum system in years, with reforms designed to speed up asylum decisions and tighten controls at the bloc's external borders. And, nitazenes are an up-and-coming class of synthetic opioids that can be 40 times more potent than fentanyl and far more difficult to track. Plus, the history behind the traditional red drinks that commemorate Juneteenth.
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Leaders from the US and Iran will meet in Geneva Friday to sign an agreement ending months of fighting. Also, a major hang-up to the Iran deal is Israel's military campaign in Lebanon. And, anti-immigration groups in South Africa are stepping up vigilante-style actions aimed at pressuring migrants to leave their country. Plus, Colombia’s national soccer jersey turns political.
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Earlier this year, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged countries caught between the world's superpowers to work together and forge a "third path." Now, as leaders gather for the G7 summit in France, questions remain about whether Carney can translate that vision into real influence. Also, a US airstrike on a compound in Venezuela that killed the leader of the Tren de Aragua gang last week could open the door to the country’s mineral wealth. And, Greenland's melting glaciers are contributing to rising sea levels. Plus, underdog teams are undermining some of the best at this year’s World Cup.
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During the initial phase of the current US-Israeli war with Iran, some Iranians hoped that the attacks would lead to regime change in their country. Now, with a potential deal between Tehran and Washington, Iranians reflect on what the war actually achieved. Also, for the first time, scientists have mapped the vast networks of fungi that run beneath the Earth's surface. And, a discussion about how the contradictions inherent in the American experiment, 250 years on, have played out on the global stage. Plus, we join Scottish soccer fans as they make their way to the World Cup in school buses.
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Switzerland could become the first country in the world to put a legal cap on its population. In a referendum this weekend, voters will decide whether to limit the country's population to 10 million people — which currently stands at 9.1 million. Also, today marks one year since an Air India flight bound for London crashed, killing all but one of the 260 people onboard, but a much-anticipated report from an investigation did not arrive on the anniversary, leaving victims’ families without answers. Also, Mexico opened the World Cup with a 2–0 win over South Africa, but for many fans in Mexico City, the celebrations have unfolded far from the stadium. Plus, a new treatment in Brazil could offer a path to recovery for millions of people with spinal cord injuries around the world.
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A new report out this week shows conflicts between nations have now surged to their highest level since World War II. Meanwhile, protracted conflict in the Middle East suggests the world may be entering into an era in which states increasingly remain in perpetual confrontation without crossing into all-out war. Also, FIFA World Cup host Mexico will play in its first match, going toe-to-toe with South Africa, a team that is making its first appearance at the men's World Cup in 16 years. And, Australia is about six months into a social media ban that prohibits kids under 16 from using certain platforms, but whether or not it’s working is up for debate. Plus, summertime in Japan kicks off a season of shrine festivals.
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Violent anti-immigrant riots erupted in Belfast in Northern Ireland last night, in response to a viral video showing a stabbing attack perpetrated by a Sudanese national. Masked protesters burned down houses and torched cars, sending some families fleeing, and others into hiding. Also, local officials in southern Iran say the US has struck a water reservoir there, leaving thousands of people without clean drinking water, as the two countries continue with fraught negotiations. And, the government of Fiji has rejected a proposed waste incinerator plant that would risk, what they call, growing "waste colonialism." Plus, what it means to “Eat Like a Sardinian” on an island known for its population’s longevity.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un played host to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week. It's the Chinese premier’s first visit to North Korea in seven years and follows two high-profile meetings in Beijing between Xi and the leaders of the US and Russia. Also, Taliban forces in Afghanistan have fired on protesters as women face increasing arrests and detention for leaving their homes without wearing a full face and body covering. And, a look into the world of the Yahoo Boys, young Nigerian hustlers who con lonely Westerners out of their money through online scams. Plus, sticker album fever is sweeping Latin America ahead of the World Cup.
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Armenia’s pro-Western prime minister secured an election victory today, despite a pressure campaign from Russia. Also, Mexico’s World Cup has become a platform for many protests, including teachers, mothers searching for their disappeared children, anti-gentrification groups and others. And, shipping groups are issuing new safety guidance to their vessels as the Strait of Hormuz remains tightly controlled. Plus, a Japanese band plays a traditional folk song in a bouncy Ghanaian-style highlife melody.
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Voters in Peru head to the polls this weekend for a runoff presidential election, with one key issue stemming from a wave of extortion that has surged in recent years. Also, a look at why Iran has conditioned a ceasefire with the US with an end to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. And, some criminal groups in Mexico are eyeing profits from the World Cup games. Plus, a German tradition of combining heat from a sauna with aromatherapy sees a new competitive twist.
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Today marks 37 years since Chinese troops opened fire on peaceful protestors in Tiananmen Square. But in Hong Kong, even symbolic acts are leading to arrests. Also, a look at the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. And, Marjane Satrapi, the Iranian author famous for her graphic novel “Persepolis,” has died at the age of 56. Plus, Kenya is a powerhouse when it comes to geothermal energy, and it’s now helping its neighbors to pursue the same.
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Kenyan protesters are demonstrating against plans to build a quarantine center in Kenya for Americans who may have been exposed to Ebola. Critics say it exposes Kenyans to risk, without offering them the same protections provided to US citizens. Also, a new study has found multiple types of microbes preserved in the body of Otzi, the iceman mummified in a glacier from the Copper Age, which could potentially offer new insights for future medical research. And, the civil war in Sudan is complicating research into an ancient civilization in the country known for millennia as the Kingdom of Kush. Plus, Japan releases eight crested ibises, that went extinct in the country, into the wild.
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Despite mass Russian assaults on Ukrainian cities, Moscow’s progress on the battlefield stalls. Also, police in Paris suspend dozens of school assistants in more than 100 schools, preschools and nurseries for abusing youngsters. And, Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado says she is planning to return to Venezuela “very soon” and expresses confidence that the country will emerge from authoritarian rule. Plus, a conversation about using the beloved axolotl as a World Cup mascot in Mexico as the real animal remains critically endangered.
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Alex Saab, one of ousted President Nicolás Maduro’s most important fixers, is back in US custody for the second time. His case helps explain how corruption in Venezuela moved from state contracts into daily life. Also, Alberta's premier has announced that a referendum will be held in October, asking voters in the province whether they wish to remain part of Canada, or begin the legal process of pursuing separation. And, Brooklyn Rivera, Nicaragua’s most prominent Indigenous leader has died while in government custody, sparking questions and criticism. Plus, we take a listen to the mournful sounds of Vasilis Kostas' Greek lute.
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AI-generated LEGO videos have become one of the most unexpected propaganda tools in the current Iran war. The clips use humor, memes and video-game-style animation to mock global leaders, while pushing pro-Iran narratives online. Also, residents flee north as Israel strikes Lebanon, including the historic city of Tyre. And, Brazil’s government plans to invest $75 million to pave and improve a highway running through a largely untouched section of the Amazon. Plus, a conversation with Cheikh Ibra Fam, a Senegalese musician who says the choirs he joined while traveling with his family as a child became his classrooms.
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Lack of healthcare infrastructure and distrust of authorities are challenging efforts to confront the latest Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo. Also, more trials begin for former Syrian officials involved in torturing their own citizens. And, rising geopolitical tensions complicate an already fragile dynamic in Cyprus. Plus, NASA announces plans to create a permanent presence on the moon.
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After a months-long blackout, Iran has begun restoring internet access in the country. Iranians are appearing back online, posting about how the cut-off has impacted their lives. Also, it’s being described as Ireland’s “George Floyd moment” after 35-year-old Yves Sakila, originally from Democratic Republic of Congo, died in Dublin earlier this month after being restrained by several security guards. And, protests have gripped Bolivia's capital for weeks, triggered by what voters are seeing as the president's bait and switch. Plus, a look at legendary Cuban American trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, who has a new album out and was knighted last week by the king of Spain.
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Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical Monday, outlining his priorities in leading the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. While the focus of "Magnificent Humanity" was heavily on his concerns about AI, the pontiff also apologized for one of the Church's historic wrongs: supporting the slave trade. Also, Colombia has faced a dramatic increase in violence in the weeks leading up to its presidential election this weekend. And, with the Strait of Hormuz having now been closed for 88 days, the impact of the closure, along with the US-Israel war with Iran that triggered it, is intensifying rifts among Gulf countries. Plus, The World takes a spin through Dubai’s vinyl-collecting scene.
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This Memorial Day special highlights peacemakers and people helping others around the world, including those who bridge divides, feed strangers and hold space for grief. We look at volunteers in France helping college students with groceries. Also, the “Designing Peace” exhibit at a museum in New York. And, a group of monks from a Vietnamese Buddhist temple walking for peace. Plus, a look at global cooperation on the International Space Station despite geopolitical tensions on Earth.
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Meteorologists expect not only that an El Niño warming pattern will emerge this year, but also that it will be one of the strongest on record. And, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Spain's prime minister from 2004 to 2011, has been charged with influence peddling in the controversial rescue of an airline partly owned by government officials in Venezuela. Also, during a legislative session in Jamaica last week, a lawmaker used Jamaican Patois — also known as Jamaican — and caused quite a stir. Plus, go into the weekend with the electronic sounds of Cumbia.
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The Ebola outbreak centered in the eastern regions of Democratic Republic of Congo is expanding at an alarming rate. Also, the US-Israeli war with Iran almost derailed the 20-year-old Art Dubai festival until organizers scrambled to keep the show going. And, the skyrocketing costs of attending this summer’s World Cup is a sign for many that FIFA has lost touch with its global fanbase. Plus, Canada wins the Walter Cup, the Professional Women's Hockey League's top prize, for the first time.
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As the Trump administration expands sanctions on Cuba to pressure regime change, one of its targets is GAESA, the military-run business empire behind hotels, dollar stores, banks and other key sources of hard currency in the country. Also, rights groups are concerned over European Commission plans to hold talks with the Taliban in Brussels about deporting some Afghans back home. And, New Zealand wants to change its landmark climate law by prohibiting liability for damages caused by climate change, such as from floods, fires or sea level rise. Plus, looking back at the life of Colombian singer Totó la Momposina, who was also a global champion of Andean culture.
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US President Donald Trump says he has halted a “very major attack” on Iran for now because he wants to allow more time for diplomacy. Also, a tent city has sprung up along Beirut's renowned waterfront promenade where people displaced from their homes in southern Lebanon by Israeli airstrikes are living out the war. And, a general strike by transport workers over the rising cost of fuel brings Kenya to a standstill. Plus, researchers find what is believed to be the first poem written in the English language.
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Norway stands to make $78 billion this year from its oil and gas sales as the costs of the commodities continue to rise globally. Also, Philippines Senator Ronald dela Rosa is in hiding as government agents try to serve him with an ICC arrest warrant on charges of crimes against humanity for his role in the country’s bloody drug war. And, a look at why zoonotic diseases, spilling over from animals to humans, are on the rise. Plus, Cairo's historic downtown is experiencing a renaissance as Gen Z creators re-discover the city.
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Cape Verde will hold elections on Sunday with two candidates for prime minister who offer the classic choice between change or continuity. Also, the Eurovision Song Contest celebrates its 70th anniversary, but the event is overshadowed by controversy as five nations boycott over Israel’s participation and alleged voter manipulation at last year’s contest. And, Cuba's oil reserves have run dry, causing blackouts lasting more than 20 hours and widespread protests — the result of an ongoing US blockade of the island. Plus, one woman starts a relationship — with herself.
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Last year, Russia made slow but steady gains on the front line in eastern Ukraine. But now, effective deployment of Ukrainian drones, along with a host of other factors, have slowed the progress of Russian troops. Also, Pakistan is in the middle of a solar power revolution, increasing electricity generation from 2% to 25% over the past five years. And, a new law passed in Ottawa will remove the one-generation limit on citizenship based on descent, setting off a scramble among people seeking a potential exit strategy from the US to Canada. Plus, this year’s World Cup final will have the first-ever half-time show.
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US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing today for talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The two leaders are expected to discuss their countries’ tech rivalry, the Iran war and the future of Taiwan. Also, a conversation with award-winning journalist Ann Curry about the conflicts in Sudan over the years. And, a look at New England’s white pine trees, once a strategic resource for Britain's Royal Navy. Plus, a network of around 2,000 volunteers help to rescue migrating baby turtles in South Africa.
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The UK has had four prime ministers in just four years, and now, Keir Starmer is fighting to avoid becoming the next political casualty. Also, doctors in Prague find a more accurate name for a condition affecting 1 in 8 women. And, French President Emmanuel Macron co-hosts a summit of some 30 African heads of state in Kenya. Plus, a look into professional rakugo storytelling, a Japanese art form dating back to the 14th century.
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Relatives of Mexico’s disappeared took to the streets yesterday for a Mother’s Day march, calling on authorities to do more to deter kidnappings, abductions and murders. Also, Russia’s war with Ukraine is posing a greater threat to coal than years of demands by environmentalists to cut back its use. And, the US-Israeli war with Iran has triggered a plastic shortage in Asia. Plus, we meet a Cypriot pediatric neurologist behind the discovery of an ultra-rare genetic syndrome.
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Russia’s annual Victory Day Parade this weekend is expected to lack the usual show of ballistic missiles and tanks. Meanwhile, a leaked security brief claims that President Vladimir Putin has tightened his personal security and faces increased threats of assassination and coup attempts. Also, according to a new report by the NGO Mercy Corps, only 4% of Gaza’s farmlands remain accessible to its residents for farming, with the rest being damaged in war or under Israeli control. And, Sir David Attenborough, who has documented the natural world and the creatures in it for decades, turns 100. Plus, lost in translation — how some film titles are hard to translate into other languages.
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Since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran, the government in Tehran has executed 25 political prisoners — the highest number in such a short span of time over the last three decades. Also, India is cracking down on illegal sand mining. And, the first year of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy has been marked by “extraordinary tension.” Plus, end times beliefs that shape global conflict.
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The UN is warning that there's an "unprecedented" crisis in the Persian Gulf with 20,000 sailors trapped there since the beginning of the Iran war in March. Also, eight people are now suspected to have been infected by hantavirus, a rare but severe disease onboard a cruise ship currently moored off the West African island nation of Cape Verde. And, US military strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Pacific Ocean are intensifying, but the public is short on details about the operation. Plus, Scottish fans have come up with a creative way to bypass public transportation gridlock and save some cash during the World Cup by hiring a fleet of school buses.
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Relations between the US and Europe are once again under strain, with President Donald Trump threatening to pull thousands of American troops from the continent. Also, the Hindu nationalist party of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating big electoral wins, including in West Bengal, the country’s most populous state and a bastion of the opposition. And, Norway, which is the world's largest producer of farmed salmon, is contending with fish farms that also come with nutrient pollution. Plus, a conversation with Hiromi Uerhara whose work has been described as "smile music."
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The US Navy says it is now providing “guidance” to commercial shipping vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. But because of the strait’s geographical constraints, protecting vessels from threats will be far from easy. Also, this year’s Beijing Auto Show was all about SUVs, but these cars are not like other gas guzzlers. And, the Nigerian government is planning to repatriate its citizens amid surging anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa. Plus, Cameroonian singer Irma adds her own twist in a performance accompanied by DRC’s Kinshasa Orchestra.
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Today is May Day, when workers mark the anniversary of the birth of the labor movement in the United States. It’s an international movement that sees marches and protests demanding better pay and stronger protections for workers. Also, US prosecutors have indicted the sitting governor of Sinaloa state in Mexico and nine others, alleging ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. And, Colombia's government has announced a controversial plan to kill dozens of hippos that have been roaming freely in one of the country’s most fertile areas, but that have also become a beloved tourist attraction. Plus, in the German village of Lehde, spring is marked when the local post office starts delivering mail on a barge.
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Hungary’s incoming prime minister is moving quickly to make his mark. Péter Magyar, who takes office next month, met top European officials in Brussels this week to set out his plans to restore the rule of law in Hungary. Also, after a long political impasse, wealthy oligarch and political outsider Ali al-Zaidi is tapped to become Iraq's new prime minister. And, a look at who the new supreme leader of Iran really is. Plus, on International Jazz Day, The World speaks with Puerto Rican folk musician Fabiola Mendez about her music and the traditional stringed instrument she plays, the cuatro.
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The war in Iran has caused a massive crunch in the global supply chain, but nothing has been hit harder than jet fuel, with its prices more than doubling. Also, the United Arab Emirates says it will leave OPEC, a consortium of oil producing countries, on May 1. And, Spain is searching people to fill its vacant shepherding jobs. Plus, a look at the future of Chinese EVs in Mexico.
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Mali's military junta is fighting off coordinated attacks across the country, led by Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda-linked fighters, in violence that’s left the country’s defense minister dead. Also, a look at the latest in the world of robotics. And, across Europe, new recycling plants are promising to recycle hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic waste using a technology called chemical — or "advanced" — recycling. Plus, the annual marmalade festival kicks off in the UK.
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Mexico’s government says it plans to expand access to health care and unify the system, but questions remain about whether those reforms can succeed without more funding and resources. Also, Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla are in the US for a four-day state visit, but their trip comes amid strained relations between London and Washington after the UK resisted pressure to support US and Israeli strikes on Iran. And, landmark trials have begun in Syria that are expected to bring members of the former Assad regime to justice. Plus, a look at record-breaking moments at the London Marathon.
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A G7 meeting on the environment kicked off in Paris yesterday, but in an effort to avoid a dispute with the Trump administration, two words were barred from the agenda: "climate" and "change." Also, the conflict in northern Cameroon is impacting education, especially for girls. And, smaller, more agile security tech start-ups are playing an increasingly significant role in European military readiness, especially in places like Ukraine. Plus, the Swiss super group Viragezero in Geneva gets ready to hit the road and play summer music festivals across Europe.
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Israeli forces have killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and injured her photographer colleague Zeinab Faraj in what officials in Lebanon are calling a war crime. Also, thousands of Afghans who assisted US troops were promised safe passage to the United States, but the Trump administration is now considering sending many who remain in limbo to Democratic Republic of Congo. And, the author of a new book about the late founding leader of North Korea's communist regime Kim Il Sung discusses the nation’s complex relationship with its Christian past. Plus, a story about how one woman redefined home after her son moved halfway across the globe.
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European Union envoys seem set to unblock a $106 billion loan for Kyiv now that Ukraine is once again sending Russian oil to Europe. Also, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney lays out a strategy for the country to move forward without economic or military support from the United States. And, Spain announced last year that it would grant working papers to hundreds of thousands of immigrants who'd entered the country without permission, but it wasn't prepared for the deluge of applications that soon poured in. Plus, some light-hearted music from the German indy-pop quartet Rikas.
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The war in Lebanon has displaced roughly 1 million people from the south of the country. Despite a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, and although some have returned to what’s left of their homes, others say they have no choice but to stay in Beirut. Also, Japan has rolled back restrictions on its sale of weapons abroad, reinterpreting its pacifist post-World War II constitution. And, a new wave of investors is eyeing Venezuela, drawn by the promise of massive natural resources, cheap assets and a potential economic rebound after years of crisis. Plus, a look at the issues of funding, gender and access in the Brazilian film industry.
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Six months after a ceasefire was announced in Gaza, conditions remain dire. The cost of rebuilding the enclave’s infrastructure alone is estimated at more than $71 billion. Also, Spain takes the lead as European relations with Israel fray. And, New York City stalwart rockers The Strokes made headlines with their with their song “Oblivius" at Coachella, accompanied by a video montage of US and CIA involvement in overseas assassinations and regime change efforts. Plus, a robot called Lightning won a half marathon in Beijing on Sunday, several minutes faster than the human world record-holder, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo.
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Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record. Also, Turkey sees two school shootings in one week. And, India launches a new generation of night trains. Plus, Mehmet Ali Sanlikol brings us the sounds of the electric oud.
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Today the Trump administration announced a temporary 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. Also, long-time foes in Libya took part in joint US-led military exercises this week in an attempt by Washington to unite rival factions. And, leaders in northern Nigeria react to US accusations of “Christian genocide.” Plus, dating companies in Japan are finding ways to work around a law requiring couples to officially have the same last name.
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Today marks three years since the start of Sudan’s civil war in which thousands are believed to have died and as many as 14 million have been forced to flee. Also, a new video game that’s designed to help people get on H-1B visas to work in the US. And, Ukraine showcases its rapid advances in high-tech warfare, complete with unmanned robots. Plus, Turkey thanks Spain for its opposition to the Israeli-US war in Iran — with hair transplants.
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For the first time in more than 30 years, delegations from Israel and Lebanon are meeting for direct talks in Washington, DC. Also, a new documentary by PBS’s FRONTLINE looks at a deportation deal between the presidents of the US and El Salvador. And, Pope Leo XIV, who is in Algeria as part of his Africa tour, has condemned those who wage war and brushed off criticism from US President Donald Trump. Plus, the induction of Fela Kuti and Sade Adu to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame marks the first time Nigerians have been honored by the Hall’s voters.
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The election results in Hungary are seismic. After four consecutive terms under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, people voted overwhelmingly on Sunday for opposition leader Péter Magyar to take the country in a new direction. Also, as negotiations between the US and Iran fail, a discussion about how the dismantling of diplomatic expertise in the US has hindered current efforts to end the war. And, the largest international group representing commercial pilots is calling for pilots to have "final and non-negotiable" authority to refuse flights over conflict zones. Plus, a tribute to Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle, whose music has been a soundtrack for people's lives for multiple generations.
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The Trump administration has deported as many as 15,000 people to countries they are not from, ranging from Mexico to South Sudan. Also, whale sightings in the Gulf of California have dropped in recent years, telling us something about the health of a vital ecosystem. And, the US and Israel saw groups of ethnic Kurds based in Iraq as potential forces to arm Iranian protesters and help bring regime change, but such an intervention never materialized. Plus, how our brains’ process for making memories seems to be vulnerable to generative AI.
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Waves of deadly Israeli airstrikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon are threatening to derail the US-Iran truce. Also, concerns are growing that authoritarian tactics to squash basic rights are returning to Indonesia, given increasing threats made against activists, influencers and journalists. And, the UK and Norway are tracking Russian submarines in the North Sea. Plus, the jar of Nutella that appeared across the screen during a livestream of the Artemis II mission around the moon.
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The two‑week ceasefire between the US and Iran, brokered by Pakistan just hours before US President Donald Trump’s threat of “total annihilation,” remains highly tentative. Also, countries in Africa react to the economic shocks triggered by the war in Iran. And, a high-profile visit by US Vice President JD Vance to Budapest is drawing attention to crucial elections in Hungary this Sunday. Plus, a nonprofit in Bangladesh is studying how heat waves are impacting mental health, and offering counseling to alleviate the burden.
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As US President Donald Trump threatens to destroy Iran’s “whole civilization” we take a look back at Iran’s heritage over the centuries. Also, opposition politician Cheng Li-wun visits China to bolster Taiwan’s ties to the mainland as the war in Iran raises concerns about the US’s military bandwidth. And, people in South India are creating mechanical elephants to replace real ones during Hindu religious services. Plus, a visit to Akira Comics in Spain, which attributes its success to immersive fantasy.
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A look at the tensions currently on display between diplomacy and escalation in the Iran war. Also, scientists in Southeast Asia are bio-hacking mosquitoes to curb the spread of disease. And, the editor-in-chief of an independent newspaper in Afghanistan tells the story of trying to protect his paper from the Taliban. Plus, Pakistani American doctor Seema Jilani defines what it means to find home while working in war zones.
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Bridges, vaccine and public health institutes, and cultural sites are among the latest locations targeted by Israeli and American forces in Iran. Also, the military leader of Burkina Faso has said that its citizens should forget about democracy. And, who is Reza Pahlavi, and how did his name suddenly become so prominent? Plus, Gen-Z is all in for Baby Boomer jazz-rock guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka.
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The US lifted sanctions against acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez yesterday. It's the latest in a series of changes that began when President Nicolás Maduro was captured and brought to the US to face criminal charges. Also, Afghan refugees in India face challenges getting government benefits. Also, a conversation with novelist Sahar Delijani on the struggles of Iranians at home and abroad. Plus, we raise a glass to wine-making traditions around the world.
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A look at how security feeds and traffic cameras have become tools in some of the most high-level killings in recent wars. Also, Bologna, Italy, has established a certification process to distinguish authentic pasta and the artisans who make them from imposters. And, the European Broadcasting Union has announced the launch of the international song competition Eurovision in Asia. Plus, new scientific research finds that “googly eyes” can help deter seagulls.
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A Russian oil tanker has reached Cuba, offering brief relief after months of severe fuel shortages; but for many Cubans, the crisis runs much deeper. Also, Israeli settler violence, raids and demolitions are forcing West Bank residents from their homes in unprecedented numbers. At the same time, a new Israeli law imposes the death penalty as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted in fatal attacks. And, The World’s Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel gains exclusive access to information about allegations of forced labor violations at a factory for global EV giant BYD in Hungary. Plus, as Jewish people across the globe prepare for Passover, Kat Romanow discusses her cooking classes and the global influences that shape Jewish cuisine in Montreal, including variations on seder staples like homemade matzo.
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This weekend, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, arrived in the waters off of Split, Croatia, after being pulled from combat operations in the Red Sea. Also, in a blunt Palm Sunday sermon, Pope Leo XIV implicitly criticized the world powers behind the war in Iran, arguing that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them.” And, recovery in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa is a slow and ongoing process five months on. Plus, Composer Sami Yusuf’s musical journey continues with his newest album, “Ecstasy: Voices of the Earth.”
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On the first day of US and Israeli attacks in Iran, a school bombing in the village of Minab that killed many children triggered global outrage. The World investigates another similar attack that also resulted in the death of children in the city of Lamerd that went mostly unnoticed. Also, a new amendment to the national security law in Hong Kong allows police to demand the password to a person's phone in order to search it. And, the British colonial-era diamond giant De Beers is now up for sale, and former African colonies, like Botswana, are looking to buy the company that long profited from their diamond mines. Plus, a new swing set celebrates a wacky border shared by two towns between the Netherlands and Belgium.
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The International Olympic Committee has announced that transgender women will be banned from competing in women’s events at the Olympic Games, under new rules coming into force from 2028. Also, ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was abducted early this year in a US military raid, is in court today. And, a look at financial scams targeting women in Yemen. Also, the UN votes to name the trans-Atlantic slave trade “the gravest crime against humanity.” Plus, composer and trumpet player John Vanore releases a new composition inspired by the ancient statues on Easter Island.
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Ukraine’s president recently said he had a "very bad feeling" about the impact of the Middle East conflict on the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin is reaping windfall profits as the price of oil rises, and the air defense weaponry Kyiv needs is in increasingly short supply. Also, Europe sees a rise in antisemitic attacks. And, it’s been 10 years since The Rolling Stones performed in Cuba. Plus, a look at the relationship between K-Pop and Black music.
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In this fourth week of the war in Iran, the uncertainty of bombing, and even just finding food and shelter, has taken a toll on millions across the region. Also, the UN is warning that a roiling political feud in South Sudan could escalate into another fractious conflict. And, a new climate report finds this past decade to be the hottest on record — and that the Earth's energy balance is off. Plus, a modern revamp of a beloved character from the days of the Soviet Union, and its sequel, are huge box office hits in Russia.
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As Argentines prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of the coup that began years of brutal military dictatorship in their country, that very history is now being contested, with President Javier Milei stirring debate over how it should be remembered. Also, many immigrants in Spain have been celebrating an amnesty program that will legalize their status and allow them to work in the country, but some say that to land a job, Spanish employers are demanding they lose their native accents, which people are referring to as “linguistic racism.” And, Denmark releases apps to help Danes boycott US products. Plus, a new law in Kenya gives women the right to request two days off per month for menstrual pain.
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As Iran continues to block ships from moving through the Strait of Hormuz, farmers around the world are seeing their fertilizer supplies coming up short, and some countries are having to shut down down their LNG plants. Also, we wrap up our weeklong housing affordability coverage with a wider discussion about tackling the rising cost of housing at its root. And, a look at the history of US-Cuba relations. Also, the K-pop megastars of BTS are back together after a long break to complete their military service. Plus, a look at a family tradition for Nowruz.
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EU leaders are meeting in Brussels for a two-day summit that's been dominated by the war in the Middle East as tensions between the US and Europe continue to escalate. Also, a look at how US and Israeli ambitions overlap and diverge in the war with Iran. And, the housing market in Venezuela is rebounding following the country’s dramatic political shift. Plus, a look at Iran’s Kharg Island, which, in addition to oil installations, is home to a small population, several cultural sites and wildlife.
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Israeli forces are intensifying airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon, as well as hitting targets in Beirut neighborhoods. Also, a meningitis outbreak has public health officials scrambling in the UK. And, Denmark is using heat generated by crematoriums to warm nearby homes. Plus, a look at how Vienna has bucked the trend in dealing with Europe’s rent crisis.
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The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it has killed top Iranian official, Ali Larijani, who was de-facto running the country after the death of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Also, how the war in Iran is disrupting global travel. And, Cuba’s electricity and energy crisis deepens. Plus, a cookbook catering to Ramadan.
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The war in Iran suggests many of the doctrines, rules and assumptions that have shaped US military strategy for decades may no longer apply. Also, the South Korean government is stepping in over concerns about the nation’s declining birthrate amid an expensive apartment rental market. And, Serbia is facing an energy crisis with its national oil company under US sanctions because of its majority Russian-ownership. Plus, researchers in Massachusetts discover a haunting whale song on decades-old audio equipment.
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The most intense bombing of Iran by the US and Israel has been taking place in the capital, Tehran, a city of roughly 10 million people living in dense areas. In wars, the most vulnerable among the population end up bearing the brunt of the conflicts — children, the elderly, those with disabilities. Also, a documentary about the little-known US occupation of Haiti. And, Asians are among thousands of immigrants swept up in the Trump administration’s deportation campaign, but many have not come forward with stories of being targeted by federal agents. Plus, a look at the international productions that make up nearly half of all the films nominated for Oscars this year.
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Israeli strikes on fuel depots in Iran have left residents struggling to breathe after the ensuing fires engulfing parts of Tehran have released toxic fumes into the air. Also, a new law in China will promote "ethnic unity," making it compulsory to use Mandarin in schools, government and other public-facing activities. And, a look at the involvement of Gulf countries in the conflict in Sudan. Plus, a cafe in Vienna where older people bake cakes fresh daily from their own family recipes to spark intergenerational conversations with youth.
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After being pummeled for 12 days by airstrikes, Iran has stepped up its asymmetric naval warfare by reportedly planting an initial tranche of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Also, a look at how Turkey is reacting to the war in neighboring Iran. And, how the Hmong community in Minnesota’s Twin Cities has felt betrayed by the US government amid ICE raids. Plus, as AI rapidly changes math, mathematicians are trying to define how they’ll fit into future equations.
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Since the Iran war began, Tehran has been sending drones and missiles into its Gulf state neighbors' territories. The Gulf countries insist this is not their war, but Iran doesn't seen to see it that way. Also, a former Austrian intelligence officer is on trial in Vienna accused of spying for Russia. And, a new report from Human Rights Watch finds that drone strikes targeting Haitian gangs have killed dozens of civilians and children. Plus, a new interpretation of soundtrack music from the late Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson.
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The powerful clerical body known as the Assembly of Experts has selected Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader. Also, schools have reopened after a week of mourning following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran. And, immigrant-owned businesses are a staple around the US but they’re feeling the effects of the Trump administration’s harsh policies. Plus, how to eat surströmming — considered the world’s smelliest food — the Swedish way.
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We take a look at the effects of airstrikes on the ground in Iran and Israel a week into the war. Also, homes built from earth are making a comeback in Colombia. And, a family in Prague holds formal classical music concerts in their living room. Plus, a German sculptor has to ask visitors to not touch — or lick — his artwork.
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What began as a US-Israeli campaign against Iran within the Middle East is spreading far beyond the region. It now includes Iranian drones striking an airport in Azerbaijan, NATO forces shooting down a missile headed toward Turkish airspace and a US submarine sinking an Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean. Also, a look at a new initiative that aims to cut food waste in South Korea. And, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek helps us understand how melting permafrost is contributing to dangerous landslides. Plus, some soothing sounds from renowned Welsh harpist Catrín Finch.
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Trump has threatened to cut economic ties with Spain after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez forbade the US from using its two American bases in Spain to support the Iran attacks. Also, how private businesses in Cuba are taking advantage of the Trump administration's easing of trade restrictions on the country. And, eyes turn to Lebanon, which has ordered people in border villages to evacuate following strikes from Israel. Additionally, floods from a coastal El Niño in Peru have killed at least 68 people so far.
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The assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was a jolt for Iran, but its political system is built to sustain abrupt change. Also, a look back at the Russian government's troubled history with high-profile poisonings. And, how Israelis are celebrating Purim underground this year. Plus, how the European Union is responding to the US and Israel's war with Iran.
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As the US and Israel continue their attacks on Iran, the capital Tehran has turned into a war zone, and residents say they are fearful for their lives. Also, the impact of the war is rippling outward, drawing in multiple Middle Eastern governments through direct attacks, defensive operations and diplomatic fallout, with shockwaves felt in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon. And, the conflict has also disrupted global travel as tens of thousands of people remain stranded around the world. Plus, we bring you the story of “medical totems” installed at a public health clinic in a remote area of the Brazilian Amazon to make up for low doctor-patient ratios.
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On Thursday night, Pakistan’s military fended off attacks by the Taliban along its border with Afghanistan in the latest outburst of tensions between the two neighbors. Also, Cuban border patrol fired on a Florida-registered speedboat that entered Cuban territorial waters this week, killing four people and wounding others, at a time when tensions between the island and the US have increased. And, some organizations in Nigeria have released AI-powered chatbots that can provide mental health services amid a shortage of psychiatrists in the country. Plus, Pokémon celebrates its 30th anniversary.
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Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced new snap elections for the end of March. It comes as her party sees resurgent support — thanks, especially, to her US counterpart President Donald Trump. Also, a health aid agreement between the US and Zimbabwe has collapsed after Harare rejected it over concerns about data sharing and sovereignty issues. And, dozens of humanitarian aid groups face expulsion from Gaza and the West Bank as soon as this weekend, unless they hand over detailed personal information about their staff to Israeli authorities. Plus, a Brazilian Indigenous group finds international acclaim for its art.
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The US has significantly ratcheted up its military presence in the Middle East in recent weeks. The US and Iran are set to meet for nuclear talks tomorrow, but as the escalations continue, we look at what Tehran could do to retaliate. Also, Australia is debating whether or not to allow 34 Australian women and children suspected of links to ISIS fighters to return home. And, artificial intelligence company Anthropic says the US government wants all of its restrictions on AI-controlled weapons and surveillance use lifted, giving the company until Friday to give full access to its AI model or risk losing its defense contract. Plus, a look at Uruguay’s energy transition success story.
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Today marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and one Ukrainian MP says the daily bombings have become “normal.” Also, the Ukraine war has sparked the largest forced migration that Europe has seen since World War II. Most EU countries welcomed Ukrainian refugees at first but, in the past year, that support has started to fade. And, a look at how volunteers have filled the gap in caring for pigeons after Berlin’s animal welfare budget was cut by 96% in 2024. Plus, celebrating the rhythms and storytelling of maloya music from Reunion Island.
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Criminal gangs have torched buses and cars and set up roadblocks in several Mexican states after security forces shot the leader of the cartel Jalisco New Generation, who was nicknamed “El Mencho,” yesterday. France is set to pass an emergency decree slashing renewable energy targets, turning instead to its nuclear energy sector. And, a look at the life of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, who was a vocal campaigner for Pan-Africanism and a United States of Africa that would work together as a political and economic bloc. Plus, giant tortoises have been reintroduced on Floreana Island in the Galapagos.
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The US Supreme Court has struck down much of the Trump administration's tariffs on foreign goods, which have been a cornerstone of its trade and foreign policies. Also, Iran prepares for a possible US military strike. And, the International Energy Agency has removed climate change from its list of priorities for the next two years, following threats from the US to withdraw from the advisory body. Plus, highlights from this year's Olympic hockey tournaments making history in Milan.
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A court in Seoul sentenced former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison today for his brief martial law decree in 2024. Also, a look at fishing boat diplomacy in the East China Sea and gunboat diplomacy in the Persian Gulf. And, flag football is set to make its debut at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. Plus, a look at how glitter makes Carnival sparkle in Rio de Janeiro, but also pollutes the environment.
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Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is among the leading pro-democracy figures attending the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy this week and discusses the goals of the Belarusian opposition in exile. Also, a new bridge between the US and Canada is on the verge of a long-awaited opening, despite President Donald Trump’s recent threats to keep it closed. And, the EU has made it illegal to destroy clothing that's been manufactured, but not purchased, in a wider effort to promote sustainability. Plus, a deep underwater camera reveals that sharks are swimming in the Antarctic Ocean for the first time.
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The American civil rights icon, Rev. Jesse Jackson, died today at the age of 84. His advisor James Zogby, who traveled with him throughout the Middle East, discusses his legacy. Also, at this week's India AI Impact Summit, Delhi brings together leaders of nations and tech for what it's calling the first major summit on AI hosted in the Global South. And, remittances to Mexico fall for the first time in over a decade. Plus, the story of actor and director Robert Duvall who loved to tango.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio got a standing ovation when he spoke at the Munich Security Conference after his address fell short of the hardline populism that Vice President JD Vance brought to the event a year ago. Also, the Danish government updates its military conscription policy. And, the last prison island of the Americas becomes a tourist bioreserve. Plus, an update from the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics with the host of "Good Game with Sarah Spain.”
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World leaders and diplomats from roughly 120 countries gather in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, where strained transatlantic ties have taken center stage. Also, Tarique Rahman, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has emerged as the big winner in this week's pivotal election. And, students in Gaza are slowly getting back to their education after more than two years of war. Also, Kenyan plans to reopen two checkpoints along its border with Somalia, after nearly 15 years of closure. Plus, a Japanese tap dancer brings rhythm to the streets of New York City.
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A look at where the youth stand as Bangladeshis head to the polls in one of the most consequential elections in the country's history. Also, a new South African video heist game lets players recover real ancient African artifacts that are currently displayed in Western museums. And, Russia announces restrictions on the Telegram and WhatsApp messaging platforms. Plus, a look at why Milan-Cortina Olympic medals keep falling and breaking.
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Indonesia’s army chief of staff said this week that his country is preparing to send up to 8,000 troops to Gaza as part of the international stabilization force there spearheaded by the US. Also, the US is planning to deploy 200 soldiers to Nigeria after warning that Christianity is facing what it’s called an "existential threat.” And, the Dutch brewing giant Heineken announces it will cut up to 6,000 jobs in the coming years as the wider industry confronts weakening consumer demand. Plus, a look at how communities are balancing the impact of light pollution on ecosystems and a concern for public safety.
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Mexico is sending two navy ships packed with humanitarian aid to Cuba as the island nation struggles with severe fuel shortages. Also, on Sunday, the Israeli security cabinet agreed on new policies for the occupied West Bank that would make it easier for Jewish settlers to acquire Palestinian land. And, in Colombia's La Guajira region, new programs are helping the Wayuu people reinvigorate their traditional foods. Plus, in Spain, children under 16 might soon see apps like TikTok and Instagram go dark on their screens.
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Hong Kong authorities today sentenced pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai to 20 years behind bars. And the Milan Cortina Olympics are the first to feature a ban on ski wax containing PFAS, the forever chemicals linked to a range of health problems and diseases. Also, Japan’s Sanae Takaichi took a huge risk calling for a snap election just 110 days into her first term as prime minister. Today, she won big. Plus, in a large archive building in Tirana, Albania’s capital, a team recently began reviewing 45 years of films produced at the behest of former dictator Enver Hoxha.
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Officials from the US and Iran met today in the Persian Gulf country of Oman for talks. Also, newly released Epstein files are fueling political crises, criminal investigations and renewed questions about some of Europe’s most powerful figures. And, a farmer who discovered some old criollo cacao trees growing in the Philippines has become the toast of chocolate lovers the world over. Plus, "Time Hoppers: The Silk Road" will be the first animated feature film made by, for, and about Muslims to have a US theatrical release this weekend.
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The last remaining US-Russia nuclear arms control treaty, New START, expires today, leaving the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals without legal limits on nukes for the first time in over half a century. Also, famine conditions spread across Sudan’s Darfur region. And, understanding Australia’s gun ownership and hate law reforms after the Bondi Beach shooting. Plus, we visit the small Scottish island where all of the Olympic curling stones come from.
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A month after US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, some signs of change have emerged. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has proposed a sweeping amnesty law that could free hundreds of political prisoners, but families and human rights groups remain wary. Also, the son of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, has been killed. And, leaders of a fringe ultra-conservative Catholic group, called the Society of St. Pius X, based in Switzerland, say they're going to consecrate new bishops without consent from the Vatican starting this summer. Plus, a reexamination of the Mexican-American war amid a new White House statement.
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Russia’s massive overnight attack on Ukraine included hundreds of drones and a record 32 ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, troops on the front line say conscripts are having a tough time filling the shoes of more experienced soldiers. Also, Spanish weather forecasters are facing an alarming increase in online attacks for linking extreme weather events to climate change. And, families in Iran search for their missing loved ones after a brutal government crackdown on protesters earlier this month. Plus, an Australian teenager saves his family from being washed out to sea.
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The Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt is now open, after being closed for nearly two years. But only small numbers of people are being allowed through, despite thousands of Palestinians in Gaza needing medical care. Also, the story of one woman fighting for her village’s future as rising sea levels force residents along Mexico's Gulf Coast to flee their homes. And, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz becomes the youngest player ever to complete a Grand Slam at the Australian Open over the weekend. Plus, "Caetano and Bethania: Live" wins the Grammy for Best Global Music Album.
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Keir Starmer is in China this week, marking the first time a British prime minister has visited the country in eight years. UK–China ties have been under strain since Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong and amid allegations of Chinese spying in Britain. Also, understanding the partial return of internet access in Iran. And, a look at US and Israeli pressure on the ICC. Plus, the northern Finnish port city of Oulu becomes one of two European Capitals of Culture in 2026.
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Cuba could deplete its oil supply in as little as 15 to 20 days, according to the data company Kpler, and residents are worried about what might come next. Also, a look at the experiences, hopes and fears of the Somali community in Minnesota amid ICE raids in their neighborhoods. And, a conversation with armed colectivos in Venezuela. Plus, the value of gold skyrockets against the US dollar.
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It began as part of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement to stop the war in Gaza. But the "Board of Peace," a brainchild of US President Trump, has morphed into something with more grand ambitions, at least rhetorically. Also, police in Nigeria's largest city fired tear gas on people protesting the ongoing demolition of Makoko, an enormous informal settlement that stretches out into the Lagos Lagoon. And, fighting continues in Syria between Kurdish forces and the central government. Plus, the Most Reverend Sarah Mullally was formally confirmed as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury at a ceremony held at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
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India and the European Union have signed a massive trade deal that will account for a quarter of the world's GDP. This follows another deal struck by the EU with Latin American countries this month. Also, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wants to fast-track residency for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. And, US threats to take control of Greenland have rattled Europe’s far-right leaders, some of President Trump’s staunchest allies. Plus, when space debris enters Earth's atmosphere, some of it ends up at Point Nemo, a remote area of the Pacific with depths of around 13,000 feet.
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Analysts are calling it China’s biggest military purge in roughly half a century: President Xi Jinping has placed his second-in-command, China's top general, under investigation. Also, the Israeli government announced today it had found and recovered the remains of the final Israeli hostage. And, seven Japanese American soldiers are being promoted to officer ranks, eight decades after they died fighting for the US. Plus, Japan is without pandas for the first time since 1972!
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About half a million Syrians living in Turkey have returned to Syria — just one in five. Although aid groups estimate many more will follow, it's a difficult decision, and many are wary of Syria's new leader and struggling economy. Also, a stretched polar vortex is bringing severe winter storm conditions to half the continental US, and is causing temperatures to plummet across even more of the northern hemisphere. And, Guinea-Bissau's minister of health announced Thursday that the country was halting a controversial Danish-led, US-funded trial of a hepatitis B vaccine. Plus, a groundbreaking Australian play has come to New York for a few weeks. It's called "The Visitors," and it tells an important piece of Australian history from an Aboriginal perspective.
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In Iran, some families are still searching morgues for their loved ones. Among those who have found them, some say they have been intimidated and threatened by security forces for holding funerals. Also, Bobi Wine, the leading opposition figure in Uganda’s presidential elections, speaks to The World’s Marco Werman from hiding, one week after Uganda’s longtime president, Yoweri Museveni, was declared the winner of a disputed election. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday to appeal for support. Plus, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek shares some sticky situations he’s encountered on the Eden Walk.
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The US immigration system sees one of the most radical policy shifts during US President Donald Trump's second term. Also, testimonies from Iranians fleeing into Turkey amid a crackdown on protests. And, Guatemala declares a state of emergency following coordinated attacks by gangs. Plus, a listen to Taiwan’s Indigenous Bunun music inspired by natural sounds.
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Venezuela is facing soaring prices, shrinking wages and a middle class that has largely vanished. Also, London Mayor Sadiq Khan says the British capital is one of the safest major cities in the Western world, citing new police figures showing homicide rates have fallen to their lowest level in a decade, but campaigners argue the latest numbers don’t tell the full story. And, a look at how US President Donald Trump’s first year of his second term has reshaped the global economy. Plus, auroras can be seen at both the northern and southern poles right now as the Earth experiences a "solar storm."
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President Donald Trump keeps insisting that the US "needs" to take over Greenland, which is controlled by Denmark. Protests in both Denmark and Greenland have denounced US threats to seize the territory. Also, Julio Iglesias, the 82-year-old crooner who's sold more than 300 million records over his long career, could soon take center stage in a Spanish courtroom over sexual abuse allegations. And, a look at the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his global message against oppression. Plus, the story of a revolutionary woman who led Africa’s independence movements.
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With votes tallied from about 50% of polling places, incumbent President Yoweri Museveni is projected to win reelection in Uganda. Also, Indian authorities continue searching for an elephant that’s already killed 22 people in the first two weeks of 2026. And, Sara Mardini, who was arrested for helping rescue migrants from the sea in 2018, is acquitted of her charges in Greece. Plus, searching for the best mıhlama for breakfast in Turkey.
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As bitter cold descends on Ukraine, so has a fresh barrage of Russian drone and missile strikes. Recent attacks on transformer substations and power plants have plunged Kyiv into its worst wartime heating and power outage. Also, as opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado meets US President Donald Trump in Washington, Venezuelans are watching with a mix of hope and unease. And, The World speaks with some Iranians about the ongoing protests in the country. Plus, a team of engineers tries to flip Kenya’s automotive economy on its head with the first-ever Kenyan-made electric vehicle.
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The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland met with US Vice President JD Vance today at the White House today for talks. Also, a discussion about what the end of Temporary Protected Status for Somalia by the Trump administration means for Somalis. And, a look at why international adoptions have largely been a failure. Plus, a little-known amateur tennis player from Sydney beats some of the world's top tennis players at an event ahead of the Australian Open.
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Iranian state TV has aired new footage showing piles of black body bags it says hold demonstrators killed during protests. Some footage of the protests has come out even as a communications blackout in the country continues. Also, since Venezuela’s announcement last week that the government would release a "significant number" of political prisoners, only 16 people have actually been freed. And, we bring an update from Gaza, where Palestinians are struggling to stay warm and dry as fierce winter storms topple damaged buildings and destroy flimsy plastic shelters amid new Israeli restrictions on aid groups. Plus, from Barcelona to Paris and beyond a handful of shops are keeping the tradition of viewing VHS tapes alive.
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Protests in Iran have turned deadly, with hundreds feared shot and killed. The government has shut all communications with the outside world, making it difficult to get accurate information from the ground. But a few have been able to get through, using Starlink, a satellite internet network, including one doctor living in New York. Also, Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked Grok, the AI chatbot feature on the social media platform X, citing concerns that the chatbot is being used to produce sexually explicit images. And, an inside look at the Venezuelan capital as uncertainty over the country’s future continues. Plus, we take a listen to a single from Dhruv’s debut album, a singer with roots in India and an upbringing in Singapore.
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EU leaders are responding cautiously, with some notable exceptions, following US strikes on Venezuela and threats to take over Greenland. Also, the Iranian government cuts off internet access as protests across the country escalate. And, a look at the high-stakes push to bring US oil companies back to Venezuela. Plus, twin mountain gorillas are born at Africa's largest national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
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We take a look at the life and politics of Delcy Rodríguez, who spent years as part of deposed President Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle, and is now Venezuela’s de-facto leader. Also, Cubans are watching the developments in Venezuela with growing unease as fuel shortages worsen in their own country. And, winter storm Goretti disrupts travels across much of Western Europe. Plus, experts unearth a 2,000-year-old war trumpet.
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The White House has renewed its rhetoric on acquiring Greenland. We hear how the news is being received by people who live there. Also, a discussion about the erosion of international law. And, a look at the frustrations that blind people face during air travel. Plus, the story of a young man who moved as a kid from Guatemala to Texas to Taiwan.
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Militias are patrolling the streets of Venezuela and independent journalists have been detained. It’s all part of a crackdown signaling the country’s authoritarian leaders are not relinquishing power, despite the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Also, a garbage workers’ strike in the UK has led to tens of thousands of tons of rubbish piling up in the streets, attracting vermin. And, the Israeli foreign minister has visited Somaliland after Israel became the first nation to officially recognize the segment of Somalia as an independent country. Plus, National Geographic puts out a list of the 11 biggest food trends expected around the world for 2026.
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Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is now in US custody, facing drug-related charges — but inside Venezuela, the fallout is just beginning. In Caracas, residents describe fear, brief celebration and a return to caution as power shifts. Also, Jamaica’s tourism sector has rebounded some 80% after Hurricane Melissa. And, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appoints a former Canadian minister to be his new economic advisor. Plus, a bluefin tuna brings in $3.2 million at a fish market in Tokyo.
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In this holiday special, The World takes you to China. We visit Shenzhen, which has become the most thriving megacity in the world — without the air pollution, overcrowding and failing infrastructure that often accompany rapid expansion. Also, an unpacking of the latest diplomatic spat between China and Japan over Taiwan. And, a peek at the future of transportation innovation from the Automotive World China Exhibition, complete with electric cars and self-driving sanitation vehicles. Plus, the story of a mother who traveled with her adopted daughter to China in search of answers about her past.
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It’s been an adventurous three decades for The World and we’re glad to have you with us as we celebrate our 30th anniversary. In this special New Year’s show, we highlight some of our reporting over the years. We bring you a discussion with Neil Curry, who helped create the show and was The World's first executive producer, as well as a conversation with our reporters Matthew Bell and Shirin Jafaari, who discuss how their coverage of major global news evolved after 9/11. Also, we look at our coverage of the environment in a time of climate change. And, we take a listen to some of our favorite music over the years. Plus, you’ll even have a chance to test your global knowledge as our hosts play a round of Geo Quiz trivia.
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As we wrap up the year, The World takes a look back at some of our favorite stories from 2025. We visit coffee raves in Barcelona. Also, a landmark performance for a female conductor at the Tehran Symphony Orchestra. And inmates in Milan who are repurposing the wood from migrant boats into musical instruments. Plus, crate digging for vinyl records with a collector in Dubai.
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Fueled by a cost-of-living crisis and a weakening currency, Iranians are taking to the streets. While the government says it's offering dialogue, the demonstrations follow a year of growing challenges for the regime and everyday people in the country. Also, a look back at a year of global protests, driven largely by Gen Z, over economic uncertainty. And, air pollution in Germany's once-industrial Ruhr River Valley has decreased significantly, but there’s still a long way to go. Plus, a look at New Year’s Eve traditions around the globe.
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The US fired Tomahawk missiles into Nigeria's Sokoto State late last week, claiming to target members of ISIS targeting Christians in the country, but the region hit by the strikes — and facing the brunt of ISIS attacks — is majority Muslim. Also, the world's first carbon tariff is set to take effect in Europe at the start of 2026. And, some patients in the UK who are unable to access emergency dental care are taking matters into their own hands, and even pulling out their own teeth. Plus, the "King of Cachupa" brings a signature dish of Cape Verde to Portugal.
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This special show takes a look back at some important and influential people who passed away in 2025, leaving behind their legacies. They include Pope Francis, Kenyan politician Raila Odinga, the world’s oldest Olympian Ágnes Keleti, the 49th Aga Khan Muslim spiritual leader, photographer Sebastião Salgado and legendary musicians like Lebanon’s Ziad Rahbani, Honduras’ Aurelio Martínez and Ghana’s Daddy Lumba.
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In this holiday special, The World visits Greenland. Former Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute B. Egede stated this year, “We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic.” We look at divided opinions around the territory’s independence. Also, a look at Denmark’s controversial parenting test that resulted in a disproportionate number of Inuit families being separated. And, an official apology from Denmark for forcing Indigenous women and girls from Greenland into using contraceptive devices beginning in the 1960s. Also, a look at how a new international airport in the capital Nuuk is trying to keep up with an influx of tourists. Plus, how the abandoned village of Qoornoq is seeing a revival.
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In this holiday special, The World visits Greenland. Former Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute B. Egede stated this year, “We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic.” We look at divided opinions around the territory’s independence. Also, a look at Denmark’s controversial parenting test that resulted in a disproportionate number of Inuit families being separated. And, an official apology from Denmark for forcing Indigenous women and girls from Greenland into using contraceptive devices beginning in the 1960s. Also, a look at how a new international airport in the capital Nuuk is trying to keep up with an influx of tourists. Plus, how the abandoned village of Qoornoq is seeing a revival.
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In this comedy special, The World takes you around the globe where artists find humor in unconventional places. Chinese-language open mic events become a place for activists to meet, get group therapy and share pointed views on life back home in China. Also, Syrian comedians embrace a new era in which social critiques are no longer shunned. And, a Ukrainian comic uses comedy as a way to process war. Plus, a linguistic look at why some words sounds funny.
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In Ukraine, the Christmas season is being observed even amid war. We hear one story from a Christian ministry leader and Kyiv resident. Also, the Trump Administration has recalled nearly 30 ambassadors and senior embassy officials, serving mostly in African and Asian countries, from their posts. And, a $500 million AI factory is set to open in Armenia. Plus, members of Parliament grant full clearance for Santa Claus to use Ireland’s airspace to deliver toys to the country’s children.
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The US Coast Guard pursued a third vessel off Venezuela’s coast this weekend. The US oil blockade on Venezuela is also sending shockwaves through Cuba. Also, President Donald Trump has appointed a US envoy for Greenland, a Danish territory that he believes the US should own. And, an NGO in France exposes holiday food scams just in time for Christmas. Plus, David Munyua becomes the first darts player from Kenya to make it to the World Championships.
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This week saw two shootings in the US that made national and international headlines. The suspected gunman and one of the victims were from Portugal. Also, Australia’s government has vowed to tighten firearms laws, toughen hate-speech measures and curtail immigration in the wake of Sunday’s massacre at a Jewish Hanukkah festival. And, the European Union has agreed to provide Ukraine with a $105 billion interest-free loan to cover vital economic and military needs. Plus, a look at the origins of latkes.
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European leaders are locked in talks in Brussels over how the EU will fund future support for Ukraine. Also, a Chinese man who documented human rights abuses in China was detained by ICE and may soon be deported to Uganda. And, 11 members of the Nigerian Air Force were released from detention yesterday in Burkina Faso, where they had made an emergency landing more than a week ago. Plus, a look at some classic Christmas treats from Denmark.
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EU-US relations remain tense after Washington’s new national security strategy slammed the European Union’s migration policies, warning that the bloc risks “civilizational erasure.” Also, heavy winds, rain and cold are making life dangerous for Palestinians in Gaza. And, a lawyer takes Pakistan’s government to court over taxes on pads and tampons. Plus, a look at a traditional celebration in Ghana known as Detty December.
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The killing of two US service members in an attack in Syria over the weekend has raised questions about the future of American forces in the country. Also, prosecutors in Serbia have charged a government minister with abuse of office and falsifying of documents in an apparent attempt to pave the way for a real estate project financed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, US President Trump's son-in-law. And, a look at a secret software that can track anyone anywhere. Plus, new theories arise into the cause of one of Europe’s worst maritime disasters, three decades later.
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Australia's Jewish community is reeling from a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Also, Chile elects José Antonio Kast in its runoff presidential election as the country’s most right-wing leader in decades. And, a new software that can track just about anybody just about anywhere. Plus, a look at a new generation in Turkey adding its own spin to reading fortunes in coffee grounds.
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This week, the Trump Administration announced sanctions against Colombians involved in hiring out mercenaries to the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group fueling Sudan's civil war. Also, aging landfills in the UK risk leaking toxic waste into nearby communities. And, a year on, Israel continues to hold Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the head of the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza. Plus, a look at the deeply calming side of the music of Icelandic wünderkind Gabriel Olafs.
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Three men arrested last month in Spain have been accused of plotting an imminent terrorist attack and of belonging to a neo-Nazi terrorist organization known as The Base, which started in the US and seeks societal collapse through violence and establishing white-dominated ethnostates. Also, Quebec's provincial government has introduced a bill that aims to expand it's authority to restrict religious expression in public. And, a look at Venezuela’s collapsing oil industry. Plus, a project that brought hundreds of people together from dozens of countries to work on a single dress.
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A sperm donor whose genetic material was used to conceive nearly 200 children in at least 14 European countries has discovered he carries a mutation that increases the risk of cancer. Also, India’s mango farmers are racing to adapt to changing markets and a changing climate. And, around 100 kidnapped Nigerian children have been returned to their families. Plus, a look at the politics behind written font types.
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In Iraq, 2025 has been the driest year on record since 1933, with water storage levels dropping dramatically. Politicians blame climate change, but there are also other factors at play. And, even as the US slaps hefty tariffs on Chinese goods, the country's trade surplus is on the rise. Also, after US President Donald Trump shut the door to asylum seekers, many previously hoping for protection in the US have started looking to Mexico, but the country’s asylum system has challenges of its own. Plus, Buenos Aires may have set a new record for the largest-ever gathering of golden retrievers.
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Today marks one year since the regime of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in Syria. The World caught up with Syrians to hear their perspectives as they reflect on the past. Also, the 2025 US National Security Strategy, unveiled late Thursday, has reignited fears of US ‘gunboat diplomacy’ in Latin America. And, despite aggressive immigration enforcement activities in the US — both in courts and on the streets — applications for asylum are at an all-time high. Plus, an ancient boat discovered off the coast of Alexandria matches descriptions of what were known in Queen Cleopatra's time as “pleasure boats.”
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Some of the auto industry's biggest innovators gathered in Shenzhen earlier this year for the Automotive World China Exhibition. From electric cars to self-driving sanitation vehicles, the event made it clear that the future of transportation is already here — and China is leading the way. Also, Somalis in the country's capital say they're discouraged by what they heard recently from the president of the United States. And, under Pope Leo's direction, the Vatican has joined seven other countries in being fully powered by solar energy. Plus, a rare floral phenomenon is unfolding in Rio de Janeiro.
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China produces nearly three-quarters of the world’s electric cars, and no city embodies that dominance more than Shenzhen, home to industry giant BYD. Once known as “The World’s Factory,” the city has transformed into a global hub of clean transportation and high-tech innovation. Also, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. And, Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank say their existence is being targeted as the face increasing attacks and violence by extremist Jewish settlers. Plus, Taiwan’s new envoy to Finland stages a heavy metal concert as an attempt at diplomacy.
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At a large warehouse in the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, dozens of US officials and soldiers — along with counterparts from other nations — are daily mapping out the day-after plan for Gaza. Also, an Indian government order to require the Sanchar Saathi app on smartphones sparks debate about digital rights. And, international agencies are gearing up to send nearly $7 billion to Jamaica for hurricane recovery. Plus, Erling Haaland reaches a Premier League milestone in record time.
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Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was convicted last year in a New York courtroom of flooding the US with tons of cocaine. This week, US President Donald Trump has pardoned him and he’s walked out of prison a free man. Also, taking lessons from Shenzhen, China, a megacity that has largely sidestepped the air pollution, overcrowding and failing infrastructure that often accompany rapid expansion. And, leaders of Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are slated to travel to Washington this week to sign a peace deal overseen by Trump. Plus, a photographer-couple documents people around the world who have been forced to leave their homes because of climate change.
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As the US ramps up military pressure on Venezuela, the Maduro government is tightening its grip at home. Families of political prisoners describe disappearances, torture and a justice system that forces detainees to accept state-appointed lawyers. Also, Hong Kong officials have announced that more than 150 people are now confirmed dead after last week's massive fire that gutted several high-rise apartment buildings in the Tai Po district. And, a discussion about the status of peace talks for Ukraine. Plus, a radiation-eating fungus found at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
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The World take a look at a variety of environment stories in this holiday special. A new report finds that renewable energy sources made up more of the global electricity mix than coal for the first half of 2025. Also, scientists in Greenland study glacial meltwater to better understand what it could do to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. And, a look at how climate change is exacerbating Canada's fire season. Plus, an activist who's working to protect trees in Mexico City.
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The World brings you a collection of transportation stories from across the globe. Air carriers around the world expand premium seats and luxury cabins for big spenders. Also, a group of YouTube streamers turn the nerve-racking logistics of world travel into friendly competition. And, a look at Bolivia's cable car system — the longest in the world. Plus, pets flying with their owners in style.
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The Trump administration's airstrikes in the Caribbean are having a chilling effect on small-scale fishermen, who fear being attacked by mistake. Also, Taiwan's president asks lawmakers to approve a new $40 billion spending package in response to recent moves by China. And, Italy’s legislature passes a law that will make femicide an offense punishable by life imprisonment. Plus, the Olympic flame is lit; a look into the tradition of harnessing the sun’s energy.
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Taiwan is closely following Washington’s diplomacy with Beijing and Moscow, as it hopes for US support to stay independent from China. Also, Indian authorities have launched a sweeping crackdown in the Kashmir Valley following a bomb blast outside Delhi’s historic Red Fort last week. And, Britain prepares an overhaul of its asylum system as governments across Europe tighten their rules amid rising political pressure. Plus, a 14-year-old girl wins the gold medal in this year’s surfing competition in Iran.
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Fires in drought-stricken Iran are threatening ancient forests that are home to endangered species. Also, Ireland considers making a program permanent that would provide a stable income for artists. And, we bring you updates on the outcome of the UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil. Plus, a look at the origins of apples in Central Asia.
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This year's COP30 summit in Brazil has highlighted food, forests and land as key topics. One sector that spreads across all of these is agriculture, and it’s responsible for about one-third of global carbon emissions. Also, China is rapidly expanding its nuclear forces just as the only major nuclear agreement, between the US and Russia, is set to expire next year. And, a conversation with former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin who was the youngest elected world leader when she was in office. Plus, a new initiative that guides Asian American teens and young adults help each other cope with stress.
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A look at a 28-point framework to end the war in Ukraine, secretly drafted by the US and Russia in Miami last month without Ukrainian officials at the table. Also, representatives of more than a dozen Caribbean nations are in the UK this week to promote reparations for slavery and the mistreatment of Indigenous people in former colonies. And, the US plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that has the Kingdom’s neighbors in the region worried. Plus, paintings breaking records at Sotheby's art auctions.
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The Trump administration is moving to label Venezuela’s “Cartel of the Suns” as a foreign terrorist organization, but some experts say the label doesn’t fit. Also, a new study examines the extent of damage being done by excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods. And, an update on conditions on the ground for Palestinians in Gaza. Plus, rapper Eminem sues a beach accessory brand for choosing a name too close to his own alter ego, Slim Shady.
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman met with US President Donald Trump today, visiting the White House for the first time in seven years. Also, Peru tries to reduce the toxic use of mercury in small-scale gold mining. And, a research project in the UK hopes to fast track the hunt for new antibiotics by using artificial intelligence. Plus, could cross country runners, who don’t race on snow or ice, compete in the Winter Olympics?
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China is making huge investments in eco-friendly technology and is quickly becoming the biggest source of renewable exports around the globe. Also, a special tribunal in Bangladesh sentences ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death over deadly crackdowns on a student-led uprising last year. And, Equal Pay Day draws attention to the wage gap between men and women in Europe. Plus, a new study finds that the average human spends 78 minutes a day on the move.
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Sudan's civil war is escalating as the paramilitary RSF group, which now controls the Darfur region, escalates its attacks and turns its focus east, amid a growing humanitarian crisis. Also, Chileans head to the polls on Sunday to elect their next president and Congress in a first-round vote where security is front of mind. And, the Deaflympic Games kick off in Tokyo this weekend. Plus, a woman conducts the Tehran Symphony Orchestra in a rare performance.
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Exactly a decade ago, 10 ISIS gunmen opened fire on people across Paris, killing 130 and wounding hundreds more. Ten years on, survivors are slowly rebuilding their lives and attending ceremonies for the victims. Also, Japan and China exchange heated rhetoric over Taiwan. And, as Jakarta continues to sink below sea level, Indonesia is building a new futuristic eco-capital. Also, Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon as it demands that Hezbollah disarm. Plus, a flamingo named Frankie escapes a wildlife sanctuary and flies to freedom.
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As the largest US warship sails into the Caribbean, Venezuela announces a "massive mobilization" of its land, air, naval and reserve forces. Also, the Swedish government is proposing a measure that would lower the age of criminal responsibility to 13 after two Swedish teenagers were arrested last year for throwing hand grenades at the Israeli embassy in Denmark. And, a key architect of the Paris Agreement reflects on this year’s COP30 meeting in Brazil. Plus, a Hungarian man spent 144 hours dancing to the "Dance Dance Revolution" music video game to make the Guinness Book of World Records.
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More than 20 miles of gigantic wall, out in the ocean, are hoping to defend Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital and Southeast Asia's biggest mega-city, from rising seawater. Also, US foreign direct investment in Africa has surpassed China's for the first time since 2012. And, New Delhi and Islamabad were both hit with bombs, killing at least 20 people between them, and both Indian and Pakistani officials are trying to find out the exact cause of the explosions. Plus, the genre-bending American band Deerhoof releases its first single, “Immigrant Songs,” a playful take on a serious issue.
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The Iranian capital Tehran is suffering from a severe water crisis as the country faces a historic drought. The government has openly discussed an evacuation of the city as its nearly 10 million residents deal with water rationing. Also, at least eight people were killed in a car explosion in a densely populated area of India’s capital. And, Iraq heads to the polls for parliamentary elections, with a record number of candidates, but high voter apathy. Plus, a painting by Frida Kahlo that’s being auctioned later this month could become the most expensive work by any female or Latin American artist.
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A wave of bold political assassinations in Mexico is putting new pressure on the country’s fight against drug cartels. The back-to-back killings show how dangerous it remains to oppose organized crime. Also, the US State Department shuts down a website that made it possible for the public to report potential human rights abuses committed by foreign entities using American-made weapons. And, the UK proposes a new bill that would make paid leave for IVF and other fertility treatments a legal right. Plus, a new play, “Kyoto,” looking at the 1997 UN agreement on greenhouse gas emissions, debuts in New York City.
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US President Donald Trump said that "nothing is going to jeopardize the truce" in Gaza. But so far, there's been no real progress on the next phase of his 20-point peace plan. Also, a look at the UAE’s role in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. And, Typhoon Kalmaegi makes landfall in Vietnam after battering the Philippines. Plus, a dog named Mouse mistaken for a lion.
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The surprising rise of Zohran Mamdani to become mayor-elect of New York City has captured global attention. Mamdani, a Muslim, was born in Uganda to parents of South Asian descent, and people from across both continents have been reacting to his win. Also, three Chinese astronauts are stuck on the Tiangong space station after it was damaged by space debris. And, new rules aim to keep skiers safe after a number of rising stars suffered fatal crashes on the slopes. Plus, light saber fencing allows people to feel like Jedi.
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Former US Vice President Dick Cheney, who died on Monday at the age of 84, was a strong advocate for the first Gulf War and US-led invasion of Afghanistan, was a central player in the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and was one of the architects of the “War on Terror.” Also, a look at how the collapse of the Oslo Accords haunts the Middle East on the 30th anniversary of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. And, China’s surveillance of its Uyghur population has shifted from the physical world to the digital one. Plus, Sir David Beckham receives knighthood at Windsor Castle.
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When Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a category 5 storm, it tore through the country's agricultural center, demolishing crops and killing livestock. Now, as aid flows into the country, concerns are rising about the country's food security moving forward. Also, tens of thousands of people take to the streets in Serbia one year after a deadly railway station disaster killed 16 people, as victims’ families still await accountability. And, Afghanistan is hit by a strong earthquake for the second time in two months. Plus, Japanese baseball pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto steals the show during Game 7 of the World Series in Toronto.
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A few thousand people have arrived at the Tawila refugee camp in Sudan, after escaping harrowing violence in the RSF-controlled city of el-Fasher, many of them unaccompanied children. Also, Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia’s smallest economy, joins the ASEAN bloc. And, a 91-year-old Japanese man is the oldest runner at the New York City Marathon. Plus, a look at Halloween and other ghostly traditions around the world.
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US President Donald Trump met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, today. Both leaders sounded optimistic about cooling trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Also, in Rio de Janeiro, residents of two favelas are reeling after Brazil’s deadliest police raid in decades left more than 130 people dead; the governor defended it as a “hard blow against crime” but rights groups are calling it a massacre. And, Radio Free Asia announces it will begin closing down its operations on Friday. Plus, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek discusses his journey on foot across Turkey.
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Today in Jamaica, people are picking up the pieces after the strongest storm seen on Earth — and the strongest hurricane in Jamaica's history — thrashed the island. Also, an attack by Israeli forces inside Gaza leaves at least a hundred Palestinians dead. And, Lithuania closes its border with Belarus for a month. Also, the Netherlands uses “harm reduction” instead of jail time to address its drug crisis. Plus, a new exhibit looks at creatures deep beneath the ocean’s surface.
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Atrocities continue as Sudan’s military retreats from el-Fasher, a town in Darfur that has been under a grueling siege for more than 500 days. Also, Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica with catastrophic winds and the potential for widespread flooding and landslides. And, President Vladimir Putin says Russia has a nuclear-powered cruise missile that can't be intercepted by US technology, and that it’s been tested successfully and is ready to be deployed. Plus, an ant that can give birth to an entirely different species.
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Hurricane Melissa intensifies into a Category 5 hurricane as it heads towards Jamaica. We look at how, in the age of climate change, storms are becoming wetter, stronger, slower and more destructive. Also, US President Donald Trump is on a weeklong trip to East Asia. And, Ireland elects left-leaning lawmaker Catherine Connolly as its new president, known for her outspoken views on the war in Gaza, NATO and Irish unification. Plus, a small abandoned village in Greenland is seeing a revival.
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China's leadership has announced its latest five-year plan for the future. A lot of details are still unknown, but one of government's big ambitions is to strengthen its domestic tech sector. Also, the case of the Guildford Four is considered one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British legal history; decades later, their families say the fight for accountability is still not over. And, 1 in 3 French university students skips a daily meal regularly, as they struggle with rising housing costs and inflation; now, volunteers are coming to help, with groceries and more. Plus, Cape Verde celebrates qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in history.
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Colombia has recalled its ambassador to the US as tensions mount between the two countries over aid cuts and US military strikes in the Caribbean. Also, a British soldier on trial for killing two people on Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland in 1972 has been cleared of all charges; we hear reactions from survivors of the violence that day in Belfast. And, Singapore imposes a levy on all departing flights in an effort to boost funding to develop sustainable aviation fuels. Plus, 10 million crabs travel en masse on Christmas Island as part of an annual spawning ritual.
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Today, the airport in Khartoum was scheduled to reopen for the first time since the start of the country’s civil war two years ago. But a series of drone strikes near the airport put the kibosh on those plans. Also, Copenhagen's Human Library lends people who volunteer to be “open books" in one-on-one conversations with "readers." These books share a wide range of personal perspectives — from being a trans woman or military veteran to being a police officer or sex worker. And, sleeper trains are making a comeback around the world. Plus, daytime coffee raves are on trend for twenty-something-year-olds in Barcelona.
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Russian forces attacked an energy facility in the Chernihiv region overnight, leaving its northern part without power and in some cases without water. Power engineers are working to repair the damage and restore electricity. Also, Emmanuel “Meme” del Real, founding member of the Mexican band Café Tacvba, which redefined Latin rock with humor and experimentation, steps into the spotlight with "La Montaña Encendida" ("The Burning Mountain") — his first solo album. And, National Book Award winner Ha Jin is set to publish a new coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Plus, Italy is celebrating the 50th birthday of Pimpa, the beloved Italian children’s comic character with a penchant for adventure, this year.
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Bolivians have elected a center-right candidate, Rodrigo Paz, as their new president, ending 20 years of leftist political leadership. Paz’s victory puts the 12-million-strong nation on a notably uncertain path as he attempts to implement significant changes for the first time since 2005. Also, authoritarian governments are increasingly using ‘foreign agent’ laws to intimidate and silence civil society groups and journalists. And, a new study reports that cancer rates in Lebanon are rising faster than anywhere else in the world. Plus, Hindus worldwide are celebrating Diwali today. The festival of lights involves oil lamps, fireworks ... and a bit of friendly gambling.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting the White House for his third visit since US President Donald Trump returned to office. While Zelenskyy hopes for stepped-up US support in the form of Tomahawk missiles, Trump's newly announced second summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin could complicate matters. Also, Israelis are cheering the return of 20 living hostages, and the potential remains of another 28, but the deal will not bring relief to the relatives of those whose bodies cannot be found. And, a small population of desert lions in Namibia become the only maritime lions in the world. Plus, musicians battle for glory at the legendary International Chopin Piano Competition in Poland.
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US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he authorized the CIA to conduct secret operations in Venezuela, adding that the White House is weighing the possibility of a land attack on the country. Also, staff members at a prestigious opera house in Venice, Italy, are going on strike to protest the incoming conductor, saying she lacks the experience needed for the role. And, Doctors Without Borders shutters its emergency care center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, amid a surge in violence. Plus, 130 years later, The British Library reinstates playwright and author Oscar Wilde’s library card.
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As a ceasefire to end the war in Gaza goes into effect, there have also been gun battles inside the Gaza Strip between Hamas and rival groups. Also, Kenyans mourn the death of key opposition leader Raila Odinga. And, a town in Nigeria celebrates its annual World Twins Festival. Plus, a growing industry that allows pets to fly in the cabin in style with their owners.
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Truckloads of aid are entering Gaza, but the long-promised surge in deliveries has yet to materialize. Israeli officials say the Rafah border crossing will remain closed until the bodies of all slain hostages are returned. Also, clashes have escalated between Taliban forces and Pakistani troops along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. And, a discussion with an investigative journalist about a financial fraud case linked to Russia. Plus, an effort to clean up the ocean and find a way to repurpose abandoned fishing gear.
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Two years of grief and anger in Israel turned into euphoria today with the release of 20 living hostages who survived kidnapping on Oct. 7, 2023, and captivity in Gaza since then. Israel released some Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Meanwhile, more than 20 world leaders are meeting in Egypt to sign a peace deal brokered by US President Donald Trump for ending the war in Gaza. Also, there are reports that Madagascar's president has fled the country as a branch of the military backs the ongoing “Gen Z” protests. Plus, acclaimed deaf poet Raymond Antrobus and percussionist Evelyn Glennie release a new album together.
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Large crowds of Palestinians have started walking back to their homes — or what's left of them — in Gaza City as the Israeli military pulls its forces back from parts of central Gaza. We look at what comes next, including the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and potential sticking points for the truce. Also, Australia signs major security deals with India and Papua New Guinea, raising concerns for China. And, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado is awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her decades-long fight to restore democracy in her country. Plus, a NASA satellite that dipped into Venus' upper atmosphere and recorded radio waves reveals some haunting sounds.
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The first phase of the Israel-Hamas peace deal has gained momentum but major obstacles may still block the plan's implementation. We take look at the truce itself, and speak with Israelis and Palestinians about their thoughts. Also, a mixture of resignation and defiance in India as the US increases its H-1B visa fees. And, a South American trade bloc rules that Peru has violated its commitments to cracking down on illegal gold mining. Plus, the house where the great Czech composer Antonin Dvorak was born in 1841 reopens after years of renovations.
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A midwife describes assisting a growing number of women experiencing sexual violence at the hands of militias in the North Darfur region of Sudan. It comes a day after a Sudanese militia leader was convicted at the ICC on charges of mass murder and sexual violence going back to 2003. Also, FIFA suspends seven members of the Malaysian national soccer team over allegations of submitting fake birth certificates. And, a father of three recounts his agonizing decision to leave Gaza City amid Israeli strikes. Plus, the BBC’s Shipping Forecast turns 100 years old.
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A new report from the climate think tank Ember finds that renewable energy sources made up more of the global electricity mix than coal for the first half of 2025. Also, as cocaine use across Europe surges, traffickers have set their sights on a smaller, more unexpected corner of western Europe. And, an Israeli American rabbi shares her thoughts on the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Plus, people in India try to manage their encounters with migrating elephants.
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Representatives from Israel and Hamas are meeting indirectly in Egypt today to talk about an end to the war in Gaza. At the center of the talks is a 20-point plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, which includes details about the release of hostages, future governance in Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas. Also, a Russian drone and missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Lviv was one of the most serious attacks on the city since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion. And, South African prosecutors are reopening an inquest into the death of the prominent anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko nearly 50 years after he died in police custody. Plus, an installation at this year’s Momentum Biennale in Norway explores the connections between nature, global issues and sound.
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The Church of England has appointed Sarah Mullally to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury. It’s the first time a woman has held the position. Also, a new trade agreement will allow for Zimbabwe to export more blueberries to China, tariff free. And, young people across Morocco have taken to the streets to protest the shortcomings of the country's health and education systems. Plus, Lithuania unveils what it's calling the first-ever electric passenger riverboats.
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Two people died and four others were seriously injured after an attack at a synagogue in Manchester in the United Kingdom. The assault took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Also, citizens from four Caribbean nations — Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — can now live and work in each others’ countries without the requirements of visas, residency permits or other extensive paperwork. And, Israel intercepts nearly all the vessels that were part of the Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza with aid, arresting the activists onboard. Plus, the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia is drawing laughs — and criticism.
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EU leaders gathered in Copenhagen today, just days after airspace intrusions by unidentified aircraft closed Danish airports. Meanwhile, Washington gathered its top US military brass in Quantico, Virginia, focusing on what the White House has called “the enemy within.” Also, Brazil’s free, instant payment platform Pix reshapes the country’s financial landscape, with more than 150 million people using it daily. And, people in Afghanistan say the internet has been partially restored after two days of a complete shutdown across the country. Plus, a new musical in London revisits the history of Britain’s Black Power movement and the secret police unit that worked to undermine it in the 1960s.
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The longest-running and largest residential school in Canada had an estimated 15,000 children attend before closing down in 1970. Today, on the country's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the building is reopening as a historic site and museum to share the stories of survivors. Also, the UN mission in Kabul is urging the Taliban to reverse its shutdown of the internet and other telecommunications across Afghanistan. And, the Darien Gap in Central America was once one of the world's more dangerous and heavily used migration routes but is now nearly empty of people. Plus, a look at the long and surprising history of rope.
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Mexico and the US have launched a new bilateral initiative aimed at disrupting the stream of illicit weapons across their shared border. Also, US President Donald Trump meets with Israel’s prime minister in Washington for the fourth time in eight months to discuss a ceasefire deal in Gaza. And, Moldova’s pro-European party secures a resounding victory in the country’s parliamentary elections over a bloc of pro-Russia parties. Plus, Italy and Austria hit a major milestone in building the world’s longest underground railway located deep beneath the Alps.
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In Denmark, authorities are investigating a series of drone sightings near major airports and airbases in the country this week. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the country was in the midst of a “hybrid war." Also, Iran will end its participation in international weapons inspections if United Nations sanctions are reimposed, says Ali Larijani, the country's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. And, Moldova heads to the polls this weekend in what its President Maia Sandu calls the most consequential election in the country’s history. The pro-EU leader has accused Russia of mounting an “unprecedented” campaign to influence the result. Plus, with Korea's pop music scene eclipsing other musicians and styles found in Seoul, we offer one example of an artist who does not perform K-pop.
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This week at the United Nations General Assembly, Syria’s new interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa came with a message: Syria is back after being isolated for about six decades. Also, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced at the UN Climate Summit the country's first national emissions reduction targets. It marks a shift in China's approach to climate policy, which, until now, allowed emissions to grow in tandem with economic growth. And, Denmark issued a formal apology yesterday for forcing Indigenous women and girls from Greenland to use contraceptive devices. Beginning in the 1960s, Danish doctors inserted IUDs into thousands of Inuit women and school-age girls, often without their or their parents' knowledge or consent. Plus, climate change has exacerbated drought and extreme weather in northern Ghana, leaving many in the agricultural region struggling to grow enough food. Chef Fatmata Binta sees a solution in fonio, a grain similar to couscous, indigenous to West Africa.
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Russian troops have made incremental gains in parts of eastern Ukraine, although their advances elsewhere have stalled. Also, as part of a cultural initiative to counter the influence of narco-corridos, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government is hosting “México Canta” or “Mexico Sings,” a national songwriting contest designed to promote nonviolent musical expressions. And, the World Bank is sending $4 billion to Argentina ahead of schedule, attempting to stabilize the country's cratering economy. Plus, Chicago has a long history with organized crime. Its most famous — or infamous — mob boss was Al Capone. But it wasn't just Italian families that worked in Chicago's underworld. Decades ago, two rival Chinese gangs ran amok in the city, but they were able to fly under the radar.
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Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has taken tens of thousands of Ukrainian children. War crimes researchers at Yale University have described it as "the single largest kidnapping of children during wartime since World War II." Also, the world's largest storm this year to date, Super Typhoon Ragasa, is moving its way toward China after making landfall yesterday in the northern island of the Philippines, causing major flooding and the evacuation of thousands. And, Machu Picchu, a top tourist attraction in Peru and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is seeing protests over bus contracts that left hundreds of visitors stranded last week, with trains and roads being blocked by demonstrators. The unrest has reignited long-standing concerns about overcrowding and mismanagement at the site. Plus, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, Egypt’s most prominent political prisoner, has reunited with his family after six years in prison.
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The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly is in New York this week. One issue that's at the top of the agenda is connected to the war in Gaza. Several countries announced over the weekend that they will formally recognize a state of Palestine. Other US allies are doing the same this week. Also, from London to Brussels and Berlin, some of Europe's biggest airports are grappling with a ransomware attack that has caused delays and cancellations. And, immigrant workers in Massachusetts with a particular type of immigration status are losing their jobs in critical industries like health, home care and nursing, after the Trump administration's policy changes. Plus, in Egypt, the country's most prominent political prisoner has received a presidential pardon.
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During his state visit to the UK, President Donald Trump expressed interest in the US reclaiming Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, which is now in the hands of the Taliban and would likely require negotiations to retake. Also, a look at the status of democracy in Turkey as opposition mayors remain in jail. And, the US has now destroyed three ships off the coast of Venezuela, claiming they were tied to drug cartels; we look at the legal arguments around the airstrikes. Plus, new data from the World Meteorological Organization finds that the hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica is continuing to heal, and is expected to close entirely by mid-century.
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US President Donald Trump wrapped up his historic state visit to the United Kingdom today. He and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters that they discussed major international crises, but the two leaders did not present any new solutions for Gaza, Ukraine or global migration. Also, the Trump administration’s policies are driving away international students from the US. And, Israel’s strike on Hamas’ political leadership in Qatar last week has raised alarms in Gulf capitals, with the countries questioning US protection guarantees. Plus, a look at what happens when cellphones are banned from classrooms.
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From Jakarta to Bangkok, new and unknown brands of Chinese electric vehicles have been cruising around major Southeast Asian cities over the past two years. Also, Shell and Exxon Mobil are suing the Dutch government over the closure of a major gas field over payouts to residents for damages tied to extraction. And, a new 72-page UN report released this week finds there are reasonable grounds to conclude Israel has committed four of the five genocidal acts as defined under international law since 2023. Plus, we find out which Peruvian dish won the World Breakfast Cup.
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The US military has sunk another Venezuelan boat in the Caribbean. President Donald Trump says the vessels are tied to drug cartels but has offered no evidence. Amid the saber-rattling between Caracas and Washington, we hear what Venezuelans are saying. Also, voters in Malawi head to the polls as their country faces a tanking economy. And, the IDF unleashes a new military ground offensive into Gaza City, as the UN declares that Israel is commingling a genocide in Gaza. Plus, a cheating scandal at the World Stone Skimming Championships in Scotland.
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Over the weekend in London, more than 100,000 people took to the streets for the anti-immigrant "Unite the Kingdom" rally organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, featuring Elon Musk as a guest speaker. Also, Syria holds its first parliamentary elections since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad. And, a first-of-its-kind agreement to deal with overfishing around the world goes into effect. Plus, a look back at the 1881 global tour of the last king of Hawaii.
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Brazil’s Supreme Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 election loss. Also, Lithuania remains on edge as Russia and Belarus hold joint military drills. And, a look at how a five-day strike by tube operators, London’s subway system, caused rush hour chaos across the city. Plus, Albania rolls out the world's first AI-powered government minister.
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US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants the United States to take control of Greenland. It’s reignited passions in the territory on the topic of independence — not just from the US, but from Denmark. Also, a government commission in Peru has voted to nix plans for a vast 3 million acre conservation reserve in the Amazon that would have protected uncontacted peoples there. And, a rapper who was born in Greece to Ghanaian parents calls out Greece’s lack of birthright citizenship as “racist.” Plus, the Women's International Motorcycle Association celebrates 75 years on the open road.
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Last night, more than a dozen drones believed to be from Russia flew into Poland’s airspace, and at least four of them were shot down by Polish and allied NATO aircraft. While the incident drew condemnation, the Kremlin has not confirmed or denied that the drones were Russian. Also, 24 years after the 9/11 attacks, the detention center at Guantanamo Bay remains open, despite promises by former presidents to shut it down. And, divers have successfully removed a single, abandoned fishing net, one of the largest pieces of so-called "ghost gear" ever recorded, from a marine-protected area off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Plus, a look back at an initiative in the UK that normalizes support for parents of newborns.
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Israel today attacked an apartment in Doha, Qatar, where the top leaders of Hamas were meeting to discuss a US ceasefire proposal. Israel claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had notified the Trump administration ahead of the strikes, which the White House called an “unfortunate incident” that did not advance peace in the region. Also, scientists say fresh water deep under the ocean floor could alleviate growing water scarcity. And, Nepal's prime minister resigns after 22 people were killed in over two days of protests. Plus, two friends who started the “Loose Ends” organization match a growing roster of volunteer knitters with those who have unfinished projects.
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At least 17 people have died in Nepal's capital Kathmandu after clashes with police. Tens of thousands took to the streets across the country to protest a government ban on dozens of social media platforms. Also, Ethiopia is set to formally inaugurate the massive and controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. And, a Palestinian-Israeli actor takes to the stage to dive into the chaos of identity, truth and family life. Plus, ecologists push for wildlife crossings to provide crucial routes for animals across the globe.
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When Chinese Leader Xi Jinping attended this week's massive military parade in Beijing, he arrived with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. It was one of many wins for Kim, who wants to be accepted on the global stage as the leader of a normal nation, instead of a global pariah. Also, Jamaica’s incumbent Prime Minister Andrew Holness wins a third term in office. And, India finds that its rising rabies rates can be traced back to a decline in the country's vulture population. Plus, one of São Paulo’s largest favelas launches its own community-run delivery service.
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Trump administration officials are talking about more military strikes against suspected drug gangs in the southern Caribbean. This follows a US attack on a small boat from Venezuela that President Donald Trump says killed 11 "narcoterrorists." Also, a new patient safety initiative dubbed “Martha’s Rule” rolls out across hospitals in England. And, the world's largest iceberg that’s been drifting in the Antarctic for a decade is disappearing. Plus, elite athletes swim 124 miles of the River Thames to raise awareness for clean bathing waters in the UK.
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Chinese Leader Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un stand together to watch a massive military parade roll through Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in an act of solidarity against the West. Also, a deadly landslide in western Sudan highlights the challenges of getting aid to conflict zones. And, Gaza war tests historic alliance between Germany and Israel. Plus, a class at Yale University uses rapper Bad Bunny's music to study Puerto Rico and colonialism.
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Search and rescue operations continue in eastern Afghanistan after Sunday’s deadly earthquake. Also, mothers in Mexico continue to search for their missing children. And, childhood vaccination rates are slumping in the United Kingdom. Plus, an acclaimed 8-hour music composition known as “Sleep” celebrates 10 years by touring in the UK with a live all-night affair, playing for audiences snuggled up in bed, wearing comfy clothes for dozing.
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Our Labor Day special offers an in-depth examination of the value of an American higher education for international students and the challenges they now face in studying in the US, amid new visa restrictions. We also hear about American faculty and researchers faced with funding cuts and a potential brain drain. In this edition, we travel to India, Europe and Africa. We hear the story of a Kenyan woman who benefited from a computer science education in Illinois and brought computer literacy back to her community. And, two sisters from a family of Afghan refugees have the opportunity to steer the course of their education and lives in the United States, something that would have been impossible in their homeland.
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Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “disgusted” after altered photos of her and other women were found on an Italian pornographic website. Also, a look at the Lebanese government’s plans to disarm Hezbollah. And, New Orleans is still learning from the lessons of Hurricane Katrina 20 years later, finding some help from Dutch engineers. Plus, a conversation about the latest album of Chilean band Calle Mambo.
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Russia's massive attack on Ukraine’s capital kills at least 19 people and injures many dozens more. Ukrainians grapple with heading to shelters or riding out incoming attacks. Also, UN officials see no end in sight for conflict in both Gaza and the West Bank. Meanwhile, protests by Israelis are on the rise. And, Greenland wants a new international airport to boost tourism. Plus, images of lions, cobras and sloths are among the winners of this year’s Wildlife Photography competition.
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Some foreign shippers are suspending US package deliveries, as a customs tax exemption for low-value goods comes to an end this Friday. Also, a look at the status of the Russian mercenary force Wagner Group’s operations in Mali. And, new mouth guards with flashing lights may be able to alert rugby players of potential concussions. Plus, Istanbul’s free public orchard allows visitors to pick their own produce.
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Israel fired two missiles at another hospital in Gaza yesterday that killed 20 people, including five journalists. Israel says it was a mistake but the attacks have sparked global condemnation. Also, a look at sleeplessness in war zones — from Gaza to Ukraine. And, India bans online gambling. Plus, a look at musical collaboration between Ukrainian, Moldovan and Russian artists.
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As Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro remains under house arrest, Brazilians are debating what justice, accountability and democracy really mean. Also, South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung is in Washington for his first White House meeting with US President Donald Trump. And, tensions escalate as the US sends warships to waters off the coast of Venezuela and thousands of Venezuelans sign up to join the country’s civilian militia in response. Plus, Lithuania hosts a corgi competition, complete with costume contests, time trials and races.
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The US has imposed steep tariffs on Brazilian goods. But instead of pressuring Brazil’s government, the move may have backfired. Also, the UN-backed group IPC has declared a famine for more than half a million people in Gaza. And, the skeletal remains of more than 140 people have been unearthed at a mass grave in Sri Lanka. Plus, a town in Nova Scotia, Canada, expands a living shoreline designed to protect the community from climate-fueled storms.
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The African Union has voiced support for the adoption of a map that more accurately displays the real size of Africa. Also, Emily Scarratt is set to make English history with her fifth Rugby World Cup appearance. And, a look at Salsa’s history and foundations — a Latin music style that was born in New York City. Plus, astronomers are delighted at the discovery of a mysterious object, believed to be billions of years old, hurtling through our solar system.
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Israeli troops have reached the outskirts of Gaza City, preparing for its takeover, at a time when a potential 60-day ceasefire is on the table. Meanwhile, three physicians from the Dallas, Texas, area, who are in Gaza providing medical care to the wounded and ill, say many of their patients were injured at food distribution sites. Also, the FDA has advised Walmart customers to throw out certain shrimp products over possible radioactive contamination. Plus, exploring Soviet-era bootleg music made out of old X-rays.
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China and India are beginning to view each other as possible allies — instead of historic adversaries — one of the side-effects of new US trade policies. Also, Ecuador’s first Indigenous university helps its students promote their ancestral knowledge and languages. And, tensions simmer as rival Greek Orthodox brotherhoods lay claim to a 10th-century monastery. Plus, Ukrainian jazz pianist Fima Chupakhin serenades his home country from afar.
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Ukraine is Russia, and the invasion of Ukraine simply represents the return to an older, fundamental reality, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin. And, here's what happens to plastic waste that gets sent to Indonesia. Also, precious documents have been returned to the historical learning center of Timbuktu in Mali. Plus, a look at the pop hit by Chappell Roan that's sending droves of fans to Canada.
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For almost two years, Palestinians in Gaza have been recording everything – some as trained journalists, others as citizen journalists – to make sure the world knows they existed. Also, where does the world stand on efforts to reduce plastic? And, a look at Japan-China relations, 80 years after Japan's surrender in World War II. Plus, a chat with one of Dubai's foremost vinyl record collectors.
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Experts say extremist groups from around the world are using artificial intelligence to produce propaganda and appeal to new audiences. Also, flight attendants for Canada's largest airline are planning to walk off the job at midnight on Saturday over wage disputes. And, we hear from Ukrainians ahead of a meeting between the US and Russian presidents in Alaska on Friday. Plus, a family that’s been making Roman balances for centuries.
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US officials have unsealed an indictment against Haitian gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier and three Haiti-born naturalized US citizens for conspiring to violate US sanctions. Also, a deadly heat wave is scorching southern Europe with record-breaking temperatures this month, with some residents in Milan taking matters into their own hands. And, a WHO report finds that Africans are lonelier than people on any other continent. Plus, undercover cops in the UK go jogging to put an end to catcalling.
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Far-right parties are surging in popularity across Europe and environmentalists say their influence could put the EU’s climate agenda in jeopardy. Also, as Russian troops advance deeper into eastern Ukraine just days ahead of a meeting between the US and Russian presidents, one Kyiv resident says her country’s future shouldn’t be decided without Ukrainians at the table. And, donkeys and other animals are crucial as fuel for transport becomes scarce in Gaza, but after months of almost no aid entering the enclave, the animals are suffering, too. Plus, an AI that speaks the language of Latin America.
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An Israeli strike on a press tent outside a Gaza hospital killed five Al Jazeera journalists on Sunday, including prominent reporter Anas al-Sharif. The Committee to Protect Journalists had warned of the danger to al-Sharif's life, something that’s become part of a pattern of press intimidation. Also, Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay has died in hospital two months after he was shot in an assassination attempt. And, one innovator in Ghana is trying to solve two problems at once by using plastic waste to build much-needed desks for schools. Plus, Finland celebrates the 80th birthday of the popular chubby hippopotamus-like cartoon family known as the Moomins.
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Palestinians in Gaza are reacting with dread to the announcement that Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City. Also, families of Israeli hostages, as well as those seeking the return of their loved ones’ remains, have responded with deep frustration and a sense of betrayal at the Israeli government. And, Ghana approves the world’s first malaria drug for newborns, marking a breakthrough in infant care. Plus, wildcard Victoria Mboko wins her first Women’s Tennis Association title at the Canadian Open.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is talking about ordering the Israeli military to escalate its campaign to take control of all of Gaza. Also, a wildfire rages across southwestern France, exacerbated by a heat wave and a recent project to overhaul the region's vineyards. And, new research identifies the culprit behind more than a decade of mass sea star deaths. Plus, the 2025 World Games kicks off in China with sports like disc golf, drone racing and motosurf.
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Today marks 80 years since the first use of a nuclear weapon during wartime — the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. Also, political parties in Israel who represent the Ultra-Orthodox, known as Haredim, are incensed over legislation forcing them to join the army, something they’ve thus far been exempt from. And, a lack of rain and soaring temperatures have stressed Tehran’s infrastructure to the breaking point as a drought and heat wave intensify in Iran. Plus, Italy hopes to build the longest suspension bridge in the world.
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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is under house arrest on charges of masterminding a coup to overturn the country's 2022 election. Also, the reinterpretation by AI of a popular movie in India sparks debate. And, a retired US military officer discusses his firsthand experience at the controversial food distribution sites run by the joint US-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Plus, attempts to convince Thai society to embrace a traditionally reviled lizard.
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Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is facing a landmark trial in absentia over alleged crimes against humanity. The charges are linked to the 2024 student protests that toppled her government. Also, a new report looks at health impacts throughout the life cycle of plastic ahead of a global meeting to negotiate the final steps of an international plastics treaty. And, wholesalers in Istanbul, Turkey, give surplus fabric a second life. Plus, New Zealand recognizes the world’s oldest alpaca in captivity.
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US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to start up new tariffs on dozens of countries, sowing more uncertainty in the global economy. Also, scientists are developing an early warning system as heavy rains induced by climate change trigger more landslides in India. And, a new study finds surprisingly high rates of long-COVID in Ethiopia and Uganda. Plus, the largest heavy metal festival in the world kicks of in a small village in Germany.
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Climate change is making the Indian monsoon more unpredictable, causing frequent flooding and waterlogging in cities, with additional factors worsening the problem. Also, Lithuania's prime minister steps down after denying any wrongdoing but saying that scandals are hindering the government's work. And, a discussion about growing calls for Palestinian statehood and a two-state solution. Plus, some swimmers are making waves at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.
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A massive earthquake near Russia has triggered tsunami alerts across the Pacific and as far south as Chile. We look at the science behind the phenomena. Also, cyberattacks have surged across European hospitals, disrupting vital patient care. And, dermatologists warn that skin lightening products, particularly used across sub-Saharan Africa, may be increasing people’s risk of getting skin cancer. Plus, some artifacts point to an ancient writing system that was once used by women in Zambia.
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A court in Colombia has convicted former President Álvaro Uribe on witness tampering charges. To some Colombians, Uribe is a national hero, while others view him as a ruthless strongman who undermined their democracy. Also, military leaders from Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a ceasefire after clashes erupted along their shared border last week. And, controversy over the Brazilian government serving shark meat in schools and at hospitals nationwide. Plus, using the ancient Shinto spiritual practice of forest bathing from Japan to deal with global crises.
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Mexico City marks seven centuries since the founding of Tenochtitlan, the ancient Aztec capital buried beneath the modern metropolis. Also, France reverses a ban, reintroducing a controversial pesticide, despite the largest citizen signature campaign in French history calling to keep it off farms after research has shown it can devastate honeybee colonies. And, amid protests in Tel Aviv and under international pressure, Israel airdrops some aid and establishes safe corridors for assistance in Gaza. Plus, some YouTubers have turned the stress of travel into a game.
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Ukraine and Russia exchanged drone strikes yesterday after peace talks failed in Turkey. Drones have taken on a pivotal role in that war, and are also reshaping modern warfare around the globe. Also, Turkish firms are on track to sell more than $8 billion dollars in military hardware this year, a new record for the country. And, young people in Togo are protesting against a recent government move to consolidate power for the country's leader. Plus, South African musician Bakithi Kumalo, who is known for his bass playing, is all over Paul Simon's seminal album “Graceland.”
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WPLN’s Rose Gilbert takes listeners on a journey — from Nashville all the way to northern Iraq and back again — to tell the story of one Kurdish family and its generations-long fight to exist.
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WPLN’s Rose Gilbert takes listeners on a journey — from Nashville all the way to northern Iraq and back again — to tell the story of one Kurdish family and its generations-long fight to exist.
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WPLN’s Rose Gilbert takes listeners on a journey — from Nashville all the way to northern Iraq and back again — to tell the story of one Kurdish family and its generations-long fight to exist.
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WPLN’s Rose Gilbert takes listeners on a journey — from Nashville all the way to northern Iraq and back again — to tell the story of one Kurdish family and its generations-long fight to exist.
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After four months of near-total siege by Israel, people in Gaza are starving. According to the UN, at least 1 in 3 people are going multiple days without eating and death from hunger is on the rise. Also, after weeks of tensions, clashes have erupted between Thailand and Cambodia over pieces of contested territory along their shared border. And, a conversation about the definition of antisemitism, especially as it intersects with criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Plus, a look at how solar fuel could help decarbonize aviation.
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In the second segment of our two-part story, we look at solutions addressing the crisis facing the implementation of international law. Also, the ICJ has ruled that countries have a responsibility to address climate change. And, protesters take to the streets of the Ukraine’s capital against a law weakening anti-graft agencies. Plus, archeologists and local historians have identified a shipwreck on a Scottish island as the Earl of Chatham, a British navy vessel-turned-Arctic whaling ship.
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A number of scholars and experts say they have never been more concerned about the state of international law. Also, the UK has prohibited institutions from paying ransomware hackers without consulting the government first. And, climate change, which is altering ecosystems around the world, also comes with a financial cost. Plus, the number of Indigenous evangelical churches in Ecuador is growing.
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Japan's elections on Sunday saw the country's ruling Liberal Democratic Party lose its longstanding majority, while a far-right nationalist “Japanese First” party gained ground. Also, vaccine rates are stalling, and even declining, around the globe. And, China begins construction on what’s set to be the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, raising concerns from its neighbors and NGOs. Plus, Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade tours the US and talks about navigating identity and belonging through her music.
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A Chinese university has expelled a female student over her allegedly dating a foreigner. The move has sparked debate on Chinese social media about gender bias and nationalism. Also, the death of a famous skydiver in Italy raises questions about what drives extreme athletes despite the dangers. And, the British government plans new laws to curb the resale of performance tickets at sky-high prices. Plus, we look at why a Danish bookstore owner decided to keep boxes of books that were bound for Kenya.
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A small farm town in southeast Spain has seen three nights of rioting. After a group of young Moroccans allegedly assaulted an elderly man, far-right protestors descended on Torre Pacheco to "hunt immigrants." Also, the UK is planning to lower its voting age to 16 in time for the next general election. And, the world's oldest marathoner dies in his hometown in India in a hit-and-run incident. Plus, scientists identify the world’s newest — and rarest — blood type.
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Israeli airstrikes hit a military compound and other targets near the Syrian presidential palace this morning. Meanwhile, Syria’s interim government and Druze leaders have agreed to a ceasefire amid unrest in the country. Also, Australia's prime minister is visiting China to reset relations after years of tensions between the two countries. And, bread beetles have infested about a quarter of a 400,000-volume collection of historical books in Hungary. Plus, affirmative action is deemed a success at universities in Brazil.
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US President Donal Trump has threatened "very severe tariffs" on Russia if a peace deal with Ukraine isn't reached within 50 days. He's also agreed on a plan to funnel military aid to Ukraine through NATO. Also, Oman plans to institute a personal income tax starting in 2028. And, Cuban medical mission are under scrutiny amid allegations of forced labor. Plus, Gen Z finds faith on social media and community in Christian groups in the Netherlands.
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US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte have announced that the United States will sell US-made arms to Ukraine, a reversal from Trump's former statements suggesting he wouldn’t transfer any weapons. Also, protests are a hallmark of university life — but on campuses across England, student activism and academic freedom are facing mounting pressure. And, Turkey arrests more opposition mayors across the country. Plus, France celebrates Bastille Day with parties and fireworks.
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This week marks three decades since a massacre in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica where more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were systematically killed by Serb forces in 1995. Some survivors and victims’ families say they're still looking for justice. Also, after decades of insurgency against the Turkish government, the PKK has ceremonially laid down its arms. And, residents of Tehran who fled during the recent war with Israel are rebuilding, but they say that nothing feels the same. Plus, flower deliveries become a viral sensation in Mexico.
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The EU has awarded Finland around $105 million to help purchase a new icebreaker ship. It's part of a global race to expand fleets with the capacity to safely move through the Arctic as climate change opens up new pathways through the ice. Also, Houthi rebels strike two ships in the Red Sea. And, Palestinian Christians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank say they’re facing “systematic attacks.” Plus, the Olavide Museum in Spain, which was founded in the late 19th century and contains hundreds of life-sized models of people infected with cutaneous diseases, is set to close its doors.
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Thousands of people in Kenya have taken to the streets to protest the government of President William Ruto. The demonstrations are driven by young people who are frustrated with a host of government policies and are demanding change. Also, a look at why fentanyl seizures at the US-Mexico border have dropped sharply. And, Russia launches its largest-ever drone attack on Ukraine. Plus, a look back at cafes sparking a renaissance in tiny French towns.
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Hotel Oloffson in Port-au-Prince, which has survived political upheaval, weather events and the devastating 2010 earthquakes, was burned to the ground by gangs over the weekend. Also, Yemen's Houthi rebels have attacked ships in the Red Sea for the first time this year. And, experts raise concerns about the legal and ethical implications of Israel’s killing of Iranian scientists, in some cases, along with their families. Also, French President Emmanuel Macron is in the UK for a rare state visit — the first by a French leader in 17 years. Plus, an AI-engineered paint that can combat heat and reduce the need for air conditioning.
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Flood disasters around the world continue to grow as climate change fuels intense and erratic rainfall. We look at what hurdles remain in ensuring early warning systems are effective and what disparities exist for those who are and are not warned in time. Also, the 14th Dalai Lama, who just turned 90, has announced that he will be reincarnated and have a successor. And, clashes between Indigenous Sámi reindeer herders and a mining company in Norway. Plus, a festival in Turkey for the ancient sport of oil wrestling.
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Come have a good laugh during our special comedy show. We bring you quips from a Zimbabwean comedian making a splash in the United States. Also, Syrian comedians tell jokes that were unthinkable under the former regime in their country. And, Venezuelans find humor in exile. Plus, an AI bot that beats phone scammers at their own game.
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Today’s show brings you flavorful food from across the globe. We discuss a new book with special Asian-style barbecue recipes. Also, a look at the healthy “African heritage diet” that can boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. And, a cookbook that's been hailed as the first comprehensive guide to home cooking from all six regions of Nigeria. Plus, attempts to grow food — in space!
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Today’s show focuses on families. We take a look at motherhood across the globe. Also, dads in Japan struggling to reform fatherhood. Meanwhile, Turkey names 2025 the “Year of the Family,” unveiling financial incentives for new parents and urging couples to have more children. Plus a look at the life of Andrée Blouin, who helped lead independence movements across Africa.
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In today's sports-themed show, we take a look at a study that's trying to reduce soccer knee injuries in women. Also, universities are now offer crash courses in American football for international students to not only understand the sport, but also learn about American culture. And, a deadly fungal disease is threatening to wipe out ash trees used in the national Irish sport of hurling. Plus, a collective of female skateboarders breaks stereotypes in Bolivia.
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In today's special looking at all things Japan, we bring updates on two key trade deals with China and the United States. Also, a look at how Tokyo’s massive public transit system bucks the trends of traffic and air pollution. And, experiencing the country’s “listening lounges” that offer pure music, with a side of drinks. Plus, a peek into Hello Kitty’s world.
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Colleges abroad are stepping in to help international students at US campuses who are caught up in political havoc as the Trump administration announces enhanced scrutiny of student visa applications. Also, a look back at the legacy of Argentine American film score composer Lalo Schifrin who died at the age of 93. And, the Chilean government adds textiles to its producer responsibility law. Plus, a new book by the Danish man who visited every country on Earth without taking a single flight.
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Thailand has closed off its border with Cambodia — delivering a sharp blow to its economy. It’s the latest strike in a dispute centered around a remote piece of border land that both countries claim. Also, UNICEF warns that Sudanese children affected by war are increasingly malnourished. And, a new tourist destination is opening up — in North Korea. Plus, it’s mango season; a look at what makes the best mango.
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Demonstrations mark the one-year anniversary of anti-tax protests that left 60 people dead in Kenya, while others remain missing. They come on the heels of last week's protests against police brutality in the country. Also, NATO allies agree to a dramatic boost in defense spending — pledging to invest 5% of their economic output by 2035. And, Vietnam’s parliament votes to abolish the death penalty for eight criminal offenses, including embezzlement and espionage. Plus, a new book about a crucial part of conversations: deep listening.
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US President Donald Trump has claimed that a ceasefire is holding between Israel and Iran, though each side claims the other has already violated the agreement. Also, a group of international legal experts signs onto a letter warning that private military contractors and others working with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation may be criminally liable for the attacks and the displacement of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. And, as the global construction industry looks for ways to replace concrete — which is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions — one growing trend is using reinforced timber. Plus, one of the most popular playwrights in Russia is Irish.
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We take a look a look at how urgent the threat from Iran’s nuclear program really is, and the reactions of people living near the nuclear sites bombed by the US over the weekend. Also, Kirsty Coventry takes over as the new president of the International Olympic Committee. And, Thailand’s prime minister is under fire from the nation’s army amid a border dispute with Cambodia. Plus, a look at the first pictures of the cosmos captured by the world’s most powerful digital camera.
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Iran's foreign minister is in Europe to meet with diplomats there as war with Israel continues. Meanwhile, hundreds of Israelis are caught in Cyprus, the EU country closest to Israel, still trying to get home. Also, cases of the recently identified COVID-19 variant dubbed "razor blade throat" are rising. And, the Enhanced Games allows athletes to actually take performance enhancing drugs. Plus, the Brooklyn Museum opens a Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room.
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Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a draft peace agreement that’s expected to be signed next week and aims to end the fighting in eastern DRC. Also, a look at acts of kindness and support amid the airstrikes in Iran. And, El Salvador courts exiles to return with incentives and promises of safety. Plus, remembering Sir Geoff Palmer, Scotland’s first Black professor, as an innovating grain scientist and human rights activist.
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Protestors battle with police in downtown Nairobi, condemning the death of a 31-year-old teacher and blogger who died more than a week ago while in police custody. Also, Canada and India try to rebuild their fractured relationship. And, Finland cracks down on e-scooters to address a growing number of accidents. Plus, Jewish groups gather for the First Anti-Zionist Congress in Vienna.
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Israelis and Iranians spent the day today fleeing or hiding from the back-and-forth bombing between their two countries. Also, a member of the Irish rap group Kneecap faces a terrorism-related charge. And, the Louvre museum in Paris closes down as staff members protest working conditions. Plus, Switzerland offers 370,000 bunkers, enough to shelter all 9 million residents for up to two weeks during a national emergency.
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Israel has ordered Iranians living in Tehran to evacuate as it plans to escalate its attacks in the city that’s home to roughly 10 million people. But for some residents, leaving is not an option. Meanwhile, although Israel has intercepted most of the hundreds of missiles that Iran has fired at it, the ones that have made it through have caused some major damage. Also, Britain’s foreign intelligence service has appointed veteran Blaise Metreweli to take the helm as MI6’s new boss. Plus, a look back at the life of Nicaragua’s first female president, Violeta Chamorro, who’s died at the age of 95.
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Israel launched an attack on Iran, targeting the country's nuclear program and military leadership. Several Iranian nuclear scientists were killed along with top military officials including the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. An Israeli official has said the current offensive against Iran will continue for days. Also, a major conference convened in London to address knife attacks. And, a preview of the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins this weekend.
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A London-bound plane carrying 242 people crashed shortly after taking off from the Indian city of Ahmedabad on Wednesday. Officials have confirmed that there was a single survivor. The plane crashed into a hostel that houses medical students, several of whom also died. Also, in Syria, journalists are building a new media landscape in the post-Assad era. And, dinosaur bones found in Mongolia in the 1870s were recently analyzed: turns out, they're from a previously undiscovered species.
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In the Philippines, an impeachment court convenes on Wednesday against Sara Duterte, the current vice president and daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. With her father currently detained by the International Criminal Court, Sara Duterte is seen as her family's last hope to continue their political dynasty. Also, a Haitian church that's helping internally displaced people get back on their feet. And, K-pop superstars BTS announce a reunion, as two more members of the band complete their military service.
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In Austria, a mass shooting took place at a secondary school in the city of Graz. Nine students were killed, and 12 people were injured. The primary suspect is a former student, but not much is known about his motives. This was the the deadliest school shooting in Austria's modern history. Also, the UK is embracing nuclear power as part of the country's clean energy transition. And, some workers in Switzerland commute to work by floating down a river.
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Since early June, Iranian truck drivers have been protesting for better pay and benefits. The action has seen drivers park their vehicles and refuse cargo deliveries in multiple provinces, disrupting transportation and supply chains. Labor activists in Iran say the strike reflects deepening economic frustration among workers already strained by inflation and sanctions. Also, the future of the global diamond trade as prices and demand drop. And, the world's smallest violin, thanks to nanotechnology.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms an allegation by lawmaker Avigdor Liberman that Israel is arming criminal groups in Gaza. Also, wildcard athlete Lois Boisson competes with top-ranked tennis players at the French Open in Paris. And, a look at how the Houthis in Yemen kept the US navy under constant pressure. Plus, a new project that documents seagulls devouring whatever they can find.
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US President Donald Trump described his 90-minute conversation today with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping as "very good." The call comes as Washington and Beijing have been accusing one another of violating a trade truce that both nations had recently agreed to. Also, France saw a 46% rise in adult baptisms this past Easter. And, wildfires continue to burn across western and central Canada as the number of people who have been evacuated climbs to more than 30,000. Plus, the Stanley Cup Final gets underway in Edmonton.
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The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a US-based firm that helped design and manage an aid initiative to deliver food to Palestinians in Gaza in areas controlled by the Israeli military, has withdrawn its team from the operation. Also, farmers express concern as Kenyan courts consider importing genetically modified seeds. And, Vietnam is scrapping its long-standing policy that families can only have two children. Plus, the semicolon could be becoming an endangered species.
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The US is planning to scale down its military presence in Syria from eight bases to one. We also take a look back at survivors of chemical attacks conducted by Assad regime forces during the Syrian civil war. And, exit polls show center-left Lee Jae-Myung winning the snap election in South Korea by a wide margin. Also, as officials in the US suspend visa interviews for all international students looking to study in the country, those from Latin America may be looking at other options. Plus, Japanese American musician Tina Johnson, known as Shima, is shifting from being in a J-Pop band in Tokyo to becoming an electronic solo artist.
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Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia met in Istanbul, Turkey, today for peace talks as both sides continued to conduct airstrikes. The delegations agreed to a major prisoner exchange, but no ceasefire. Also, a new report documents a pattern of physical abuse and neglect toward Tibetan children at Chinese-run boarding schools that many are forced to attend. And, South Korea contends with a political divide, along with big economic and security challenges, as it heads to the polls for presidential elections. Plus, moths find a home at the butterfly sanctuary in Mexico City's Natural History Museum.
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The White House says it's working on a ceasefire deal for Gaza and that Israel has agreed to the proposal. Hamas is reportedly reviewing the offer, which would include a temporary truce and the release of Israeli hostages. Also, the UN has proposed a plan to do away with physical passports, replacing them with facial recognition technology. This, in a bid to streamline air travel. Also, as Voice of America wanes, Russian state media fills the void. And, a museum exhibit sheds light on Vincent Van Gogh's friendships with his portrait subjects.
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Poland’s presidential election this weekend is more than just a vote — it’s a pivotal moment for the country’s democracy. At stake is the future direction of Poland, with voters choosing between two starkly different candidates: a right-wing populist opposing abortion and LGBTQ rights, and a pro-European liberal who has marched in Warsaw’s pride parade. Also, how a drop in the number of international students would impact Harvard's athletic dominance. And, the UN's plan to make passports a thing of the past.
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Mexico is set to become the first country in the world where every single judge is elected by popular vote. But as the country prepares for its first nationwide judicial election, concerns are mounting about many of the candidates. Activists say they have not been properly vetted, and numerous candidates have alleged ties to organized crime and religious groups. Also, Myanmar junta and rebels are facing political pressure from neighboring countries to end the civil war there. And, why many Palestinians are suspicious of the aid group that just began distributing food aid inside Gaza.
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Russia's military captured four Ukrainian border villages in the Sumy region of Ukraine on Tuesday. It follows an intense bombing campaign of Ukraine's cities and towns over the weekend by Russian drones. It also comes as Moscow holds a major security conference over the next two days. Also, a US-backed aid group has begun distributing humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. But Hamas has warned Palestinians to stay away from distribution sites, claiming that the aid group is using those sites to gather intelligence for Israel. Many Palestinians have heeded those warnings — meaning food is still not getting to people in the territory who need it. And Turkey's president calls for a new constitution against a backdrop of protests over the jailing of an opposition leader.
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This year marks a half-century since the end of the Vietnam War. A well-known memorial in Washington, DC, pays tribute to the US service members who lost their lives in that war, but few memorials honor the Vietnamese who fought alongside them, or the hundreds of thousands who came to the US in subsequent years. A new memorial project in the "Little Saigon" neighborhood of Dorchester in Boston aims to do just that. Also, Chile’s biggest carnival is kicking off at full speed. As many as 150,000 people have traveled to the northern Chilean town of Arica to participate. But this is not your typical carnival. Most of the dances and music come from Bolivia. And it is a celebration of Indigenous Aymara, Quechua, and Afro-Chilean identities. And, Yaroslav Simkiv has played the trumpet for over 50 years and is a recognizable figure in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. Several times a day, he plays his instrument from the towering mayoral building in Lviv’s main square to announce the time of day. But these days, Simkiv has taken on a more serious role — bidding a musical farewell to Ukraine's fallen soldiers.
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A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students. Also, five years after the killing of George Floyd in the US, a look at the global reckoning that ensued over racism, policing and historical injustice. And, Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, threatens to resign over political turmoil in the country. Plus, a look at the one village in Spain that didn’t lose power during last month’s blackout.
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Germany is deploying 5,000 troops to Lithuania, marking the first such permanent deployment to another country since the end of World War II. Also, immigration lawyers are sounding alarms over what they say is an escalating immigration crackdown along the northern US border in Maine. And, Iran and Russia ratify a new agreement to strengthen economic ties, with more cooperation in banking and arms trade. Plus, an 11-year-old boy in the UK teaches himself to master the piano in only six months.
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Turkish officials say they've caught Chinese intelligence using fake cell phone towers to eavesdrop on Uyghurs and the Turkish government. Also, Spain uses a new eviction law to crack down on squatters as housing prices continue to rise. And, European officials have launched a "tidal wave" of condemnation against Israel for its war in Gaza. Plus, a woman is raffling off her two bedroom house located just outside the coastal city of Sligo in Northern Ireland.
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Police in El Salvador have arrested Ruth López, a prominent human rights defender who headed the anti-corruption unit at the rights group Cristosal. Also, Ontario approves billions of dollars for four small modular nuclear reactors, making Canada the first G7 country to implement them for civilian use. And, the World Health Organization approves an agreement to prevent, prepare for and respond to future pandemics. Plus, sonideros are gaining widespread popularity and becoming a symbol of cultural pride in Mexico City.
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Displaced Syrians are returning to their homes following years of civil war. One photographer, Alaa Hassan, who was 25 years old when the uprisings against former President Bashar al-Assad began, hopes to now document the loss and rebirth of his country. Also, US President Donald Trump holds separate phone calls with the leaders of Ukraine and Russia as fighting continues. And, hunger and starvation are on the rise in Gaza as Israel's government approves a plan to distribute limited aid and lift its blockade of the territory, while the Israeli military conducts a new offensive with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the goal is to control the Gaza Strip. Plus, a look at the "like" button that was introduced to internet users 20 years ago.
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The United Arab Emirates is set to become home to the largest artificial intelligence campus outside of the US. The deal was struck in a meeting Thursday between the US and the UAE. The 10-square-mile campus will be built in Abu Dhabi, requiring 5 gigawatts of power capacity. We look into the energy implications of the plan. Also, in Australia, a murder trial where the defendant is accused of serving poisonous mushrooms to dinner guests becomes a nationwide spectacle. And, the story of a Spanish dictator using Eurovision Song Contest to whitewash his regime's brutal image.
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Russian and Ukrainian officials are meeting on Thursday in Istanbul to discuss a potential end to the war for the first time in more than three years. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed up for the meeting in-person; Russian President Vladimir Putin did not. We have the latest updates and analysis from those talks. Also, the mental health crisis caused by climate change, and the emerging ways people are addressing it. And, new insights into the love life of William Shakespeare.
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President Trump's announcement that US sanctions on Syria would be lifted was met with elation by Syrians, but the country still has a long way to go to recover from years of civil war and brutal dictatorship. Also, the German government banned an extremist group known as the Kingdom of Germany, which believes Germany is a monarchy. And, a look back at the life of José Mujica, Uruguay's former president who lived staunchly below his means. Plus, the Swiss Moroccan musician who found his home in the underground art scene.
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As President Donald Trump heads to the Middle East, a look at how the countries he plans to visit are trying to position themselves. Also, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, has announced it will disarm and disband. That marks the potential end of the group's four decadelong insurgency against the Turkish military. And, the former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has won a mayoral election despite his detention by the International Criminal Court.
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Hamas has released the last living American hostage that was held captive in Gaza. That comes days before President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the region. Hamas has not said what it expects to receive in return for the release. Also, Pope Leo XIV's roots in Chiclayu, Peru. And, a close look at Barcelona's "superblocks": pedestrian areas designed to keep cars out.
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Pope Leo XIV gave his first mass as pontiff today and is being celebrated across the globe, including in Peru, where he carried out decades of missionary work and became a naturalized citizen. Also, the US cuts $50 million in medical aid to Zambia following a corruption investigation. And, Sudan cuts ties with the UAE as drone attacks on Port Sudan continue for a sixth day. Plus, the National Gallery in London is unveiling an early renaissance painting this weekend that’s considered to be a European masterpiece.
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Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected the 267th pope. The 69-year-old is from Chicago, Illinois, and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Also, after dozens of community kitchens providing desperately needed food to Palestinians in Gaza were shuttered this week, the US is asking aid groups to back a new Israeli aid plan run by US security contractors. And, a nonprofit group in rural Ghana is using cheap motorized tricycles to help pregnant women get to the hospital to give birth. Plus, two high school friends in eastern Turkey learn to make the “daf” — a shallow drum popular in Kurdish, Persian and Middle Eastern music.
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Indian jets launch airstrikes on nine sites inside Pakistan in retaliation for a militant group's attack on mostly Indian tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago. Also, ongoing hunting and the growing effects of climate change are contributing to the dropping numbers of manatees in the Amazon region but local efforts are underway to bring them back. And, Syria's Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa is in France for discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron. Plus, the Men's World Snooker champion hopes to boost the sport’s popularity in China.
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More than a hundred Catholic cardinals from 70 different countries will convene for a secretive conclave on Wednesday to select a new pope. It's not clear who will ultimately be chosen to lead the Catholic Church next. Also, drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been pummeling Port Sudan for three straight days. And, Germany’s parliament confirms Friedrich Merz as the country’s next chancellor, but only after failing to secure enough support in a first-round vote earlier in the day. Plus, a conversation with Moises Saman, the winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography.
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Israel’s security cabinet has approved a new military offensive designed to “capture” Gaza and hold it indefinitely. The plan would relocate many of Gaza’s 2 million residents to the south and shutter hundreds of community kitchens. Also, North Korea confirms that it sent troops to fight in Ukraine, but with tens of thousands of Russians killed in the fighting, a new report finds that Moscow is turning to Pyongyang now to reinforce its workforce. And, the International Cricket Council says it will provide funding for exiled Afghan cricketers. Plus, Microsoft shuts down Skype after more than two decades.
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Clashes have broken out this week in Syria between government security forces and militias inside Syria's Druze community. Israel launched airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday, claiming they targeted operatives who attacked Druze civilians. Israel has threatened more strikes if the clashes continue. We hear from people on the ground, in Syria, who have been affected by the violence. Also, Romania's upcoming presidential election this weekend, a do-over of last year's election which was annulled over alleged Russian interference. And, how tourists visiting Kashmir became political targets.
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The work to choose a new pope begins next week with the secretive Papal Conclave. One of Pope Francis' lingering legacies that will need to be addressed: the late pontiff's efforts to reform the Vatican's less-than-transparent finances. Also, Maria Ressa is the Nobel Prize-winning journalist behind the investigative news site, Rappler, based in the Philippines. Her work made her a political enemy of former dictator, Rodrigo Duterte. Ressa joins us to share her experiences standing up for press freedom in the face of authoritarianism. And, Agent Orange is well known as a notorious chemical weapon used by the US in the Vietnam War but there was a lesser-known chemical weapon known as Agent Blue that's still making people sick. And, the new dance craze that Spanish ravers have imported from Holland.
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Fifty years ago on Wednesday the fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam War. Most Americans think of that war as one of the longest and most unpopular conflicts in US military history. But in Vietnam, it is being celebrated as the end of a much longer struggle for liberation, which predates US involvement by several decades. We examine both of those legacies. Also, what it would mean for Ukraine to sign a mineral deal with the US. And, a cultural debate over the legacy of a German theologian who helped lead the resistance movement to the Nazi regime.
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In Canada, election results mark a reversal of political fortunes. The Liberal Party's victory in Monday's federal election follows a long slump in popularity. But the Trump administration's trade policies and rhetoric concerning Canada have driven a shift in the country's political landscape. The election results are widely being seen as a mandate for how Canada should respond to Trump. Also, insight into the work of Russian lawyers who represent political prisoners in court. And, why Boston's Museum of Fine Arts has closed its Benin Kingdom Gallery.
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A major power outage struck Spain and Portugal on Monday, shutting down transit and causing major gridlock in both countries. The two governments met to discuss the outage, the cause of which was not immediately known. This is the biggest power outage on the European continent since 2003. Also, a massive explosion in an Iranian port killed at least 40 people over the weekend and injured hundreds of others. And, the corruption behind the deadly nightclub fire in North Macedonia almost a month ago.
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India has suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, a major water-sharing agreement with Pakistan, following a recent attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. Also, more than 1,800 international students have seen their immigration statuses changed by the US government, prompting some to wonder if they should stay in the US or leave. And, US Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) discusses his recent trip to Syria. Plus, a look at the Poetry Pharmacy on London’s famed Oxford Street — a small space packed with poems for every occasion.
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Qatar has brokered talks between the government of Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group, which is backed by Rwanda, to agree to common terms for a dialogue that includes a ceasefire. Also, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum bans foreign political ads on Mexican TV after a wave of anti-immigration spots sponsored by the Trump administration airs nationwide. And, as Spain's Catalonia region celebrates Sant Jordi, or Saint George's Day, there’s been controversy this year over one writer who lives in Catalonia but only writes in Spanish. Plus, new research shows that the venom of some rattlesnakes has evolved to be simpler and better tailored to their prey.
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Canadians will head to the polls on Monday to vote for a new prime minister. The country is expecting a large turnout, with more than 7 million people already having cast their ballots over the long Easter weekend. Also, a look at Pope Francis as both a head of state and a spiritual leader. And, Jordan places a ban on the Muslim Brotherhood. Plus, a gated community in Argentina is divided over a sudden spike in capybaras.
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As questions emerge over the succession of Pope Francis, some are looking to Africa, where the Catholic Church has seen the most growth of any region in recent years. Also, a group of gunmen open fire at a resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing at least 20 tourists and injuring dozens more. And, the Supreme Court in Brazil is examining the role that allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro might have played in an alleged coup attempt that took place after he lost the 2022 election. Plus, an effort to restore forests that have been cleared away around the world.
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Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Also, the Israeli military says an “operational misunderstanding” led to the killing of 15 unarmed Palestinian medics last month. And, a Tunisian court hands down harsh prison sentences to political opponents of the country's president as the country backslides on democracy. Plus, runners from around the world take part in the Boston Marathon.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping is wrapping up a tour this week of Southeast Asia where he has been selling the idea of China as a force for economic stability and prosperity. He has also criticized President Donald Trump's trade policies as destructive to the global economy. We'll look at how that message is being received. Also, Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars in the the electric vehicle industry in preparation for a post-oil future. And, the legacy of Indigenous runner Tom Longboat lives on at this year's Boston Marathon, which kicks off on Monday.
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As Haiti celebrates 200 years of independence from France, Thursday marks a particularly fraught anniversary. On April 17, 1825, Haiti and France signed the Indemnity Agreement, requiring Haiti to pay France to compensate slave-owning colonists for Haitians' freedom. Now, Haitian activists want their money back. Also, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is headed to Paris to discuss the war in Ukraine. And, Canada's new professional women's soccer league just kicked off its first season.
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A federal court in Denver has found a former member of Gambia’s military guilty of torturing five people accused of involvement in a failed coup against the West African country in 2006. This constitutes a rare prosecution in the United States for torture committed abroad. Also, the UK's Supreme Court passed a ruling on the meaning of the word "woman" as used in the country's Equality Act from 2010. In a unanimous decision, the court said that "woman" refers to people assigned the female gender at birth, and does not extend to transgender women. Critics of the decision say it marks a "huge blow" to the rights of trans people across the country. Also, more than 1,000 Israeli spies and soldiers, past and present, have petitioned their government to cease military actions in Gaza. And, Sweden's annual tradition of watching the migration of moose on TV.
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Tuesday marks two years since civil war broke out in Sudan. Fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has created an immense humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced, and hundreds of thousands facing famine. A look at how things reached this point in Sudan, and where the country is headed. Also, Mexican border cities like Tijuana are emptying out as migrants give up trying to enter the US. And, the Ghanaian government is reforming the country's gold export market.
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This past weekend, Iran and the US held their first round of talks about Iran's nuclear program. Both sides described the talks as "positive" and "constructive." The two delegations will convene in Rome for a second round of talks later this week. Also, Tijuana's uphill battle to keep its waterways and beaches free of sewage and pollution. And, the existential threat faced by two of France's most beloved cheeses.
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Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez becomes the de facto trade representative for much of Europe, on a visit to China. And white storks arrive in Europe every spring, and they're starting to arrive earlier. Experts say that's because of climate change. Plus, why historic homes in Iran are being turned into boutique hotels, restaurants and cafes.
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The US and Russia carried out a prisoner swap earlier today, resulting in the release of US citizen Ksenia Karelina. Also, hippos in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are dying of a surprising cause: anthrax. And, a look into the struggle to get aid into earthquake-devastated Myanmar. Plus, a Japanese town is using trading cards inspired by Pokémon to build connection between generations.
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President Donald Trump has paused his sweeping new tariffs, with one exception: those levied on China. Beijing is retaliating by hitting US goods back. How Chinese leadership sees the escalating trade war. Also, how new banana products could help transform agriculture in Uganda. And what exactly makes Jamaican rum Jamaican?
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The Palestinian Red Crescent is demanding an international investigation into the Israeli attack last month on a convoy of ambulances and emergency workers in southern Gaza that killed 15 people. Also, Sussex University in the UK is offering a new degree called Climate Justice, Sustainability and Development. And, the US and DRC close in on a new minerals deal. Plus, a look at how collaboration in space is still possible amid geopolitical tensions.
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Heavy US tariffs against much of the world will kick in on Tuesday at midnight. Few will be hit has hard as Cambodia — where nearly a third of the country’s economy is generated by selling goods to Americans — as Cambodian exports to the US are set to face a 49% tariff. Also, Doctors Without Borders reports that 1/5 of all primary care visits in Gaza deal with illness caused by a lack of access to clean water as the enclave faces acute water shortages amid an Israeli blockade. And, the Ivory Coast bans wigs for this year’s national beauty pageant in favor of natural hair styles. Plus, British Bengali musician Tara Lily’s debut album is inspired by the ocean waves of Goa and nightlife in Mumbai.
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South Korea's Constitutional Court unanimously voted to remove President Yoon Suk-yeol from office. This after months of deliberation following Yoon's declaration of martial law. But although the court has made its decision, experts say the turmoil and political polarization that have erupted in South Korea over the last few months, aren't going anywhere. Also, in Ghana, a meningitis outbreak is ravaging communities, partly because the new strain is particularly dangerous, and partly due to societal obstacles, like misinformation and infrastructure woes. And, the international basketball players who are advancing to the March Madness tournament's semifinals.
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Sweeping new tariffs on imports to the US amount to a tectonic shift in trade policy, one that critics say undermines norms around globalization that delivered prosperity to the US and its trading partners. Also, Hungary has begun proceedings to leave the International Criminal Court. And, a huge chunk of ice broke off of Antarctica, revealing a thriving ecosystem in the waters underneath.
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The ceasefire which had halted fighting between Israel and Hamas for two months seems long ago and far away. On Wednesday, Israel announced a major expansion of its military advance in Gaza, vowing to seize ‘large areas’ of land and displace residents. Also, President Donald Trump is trying to initiate talks with Iran about the country's nuclear program, but his goals for the talks have not been specified. Iran has agreed to negotiate indirectly with the US. This, after Trump pulled the US out of a previous agreement with Iran during his first term. Also, the role of military chaplains in Ukraine's war effort. And, Bhutan's unique approach to separation of church and state.
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As Myanmar ramps up its response to the earthquake that struck last week, those efforts are being complicated by the country's civil war. The military government has been blocking emergency aid from entering areas controlled by armed resistance movements. That's leaving earthquake-stricken areas deprived of doctors, medicine, and bare necessities like food and water. Also, South Korea is reckoning with the dark past of its international adoption system. And, a visit to Africa's only Bahai temple.
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In Myanmar, the official death toll continues to climb three days after a devastating earthquake, but still reflects only a fraction of the number of deaths estimated by the United States Geological Survey. The challenges are now compounded by the country's civil war, as government forces launch air strikes against resistance fighters near the epicenter of the quake. Also, French far-right politician Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement, and barred from seeking public office for five years. And, we look at results from the weekend's Figure Skating World Championships.
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A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar and Thailand today, killing dozens of people in both countries. Also, former US ambassador to China Nicholas Burns discusses the implications of the world’s shifting geopolitical situation. And, Israel strikes southern Beirut in Lebanon saying it targeted a Hezbollah drone storage facility. Plus, a new borrowed word in the Oxford English Dictionary that describes a feeling so intense you can't help but have a physical reaction to it.
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South Korea is fighting the largest forest fires in the country's history. Emergency crews and volunteers in the dry and windy southeast region are working to put out the flames and help evacuate residents. Also, forecasts for international tourism show that numbers are down sharply for travel to the US amid souring international opinions and ramped-up immigration enforcement. And, the UK climate activist group Just Stop Oil says it’s ceasing its disruptive protests. Plus, singer and storyteller Kaito Winse of Burkina Faso releases a new EP, “Reele Bombou.”
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Hundreds of Palestinians in northern Gaza held spontaneous protests against Hamas and called for an end to the war. Also, for decades, Europe has leaned on the US for security, but there are growing calls for the bloc to be more militarily self-sufficient — an ambitious goal that not all EU leaders agree on. And, it's been 10 years since the start of the Saudi-led airstrike campaign against the Houthis in Yemen. Plus, China-based Mixue Bingcheng is set to surpass McDonald's as the world's largest fast food chain.
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Increasingly brazen armed gangs are taking control of most of the roads leading into and out of Port-au-Prince, as control slips away from Haitian police and Kenyan-led multinational forces. Also, a court in Tokyo has ordered the once-powerful Unification Church in Japan to be dissolved in a case against the religious group that goes back to the 2022 assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. And, the beating and arrest of Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land” highlights the blurred lines between Israeli settlers and the Israel Defense Forces. Plus, Chile’s Indigenous Mapuche people use an ancestral sport to help protect and revive their culture, customs and language.
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A presidential primary organized by the party of jailed Istanbul mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, galvanizes millions of voters across Turkey. Also, Costa Ricans are being asked to help pick coffee beans amid a labor shortage in their country, as Nicaraguan migrant farmers stay home over the risks of crossing the border. And, a new graphic cookbook — complete with recipes and comic book-style illustrations — tells the backstories of the unique names behind some Chinese dishes. Plus, for a few days starting this weekend, Saturn's iconic rings will vanish from Earth's point of view — a phenomenon that occurs every 15 years.
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Heathrow, one of the world's largest airports, has shut down after a fire broke out Thursday night at an electric substation, effectively knocking out the airport's power. We hear about the potential causes behind the fire at the substation and how vulnerable airports are to these kinds of incidents. Also, in Sudan, pro-government troops have retaken control of the presidential palace in Khartoum. The palace was previously held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, who say the battle is not over yet. This would be a major symbolic victory for the Sudanese military, if the palace takeover is confirmed. Also, the effort to return political pluralism to Poland's federal government. And, the American doughnut shops with roots in Cambodia.
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Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, was arrested last week by the International Criminal Court. That makes him the ICC's highest-profile prisoner ever. While in office, he spearheaded a so-called "war on drugs" that killed up to 30,000 people. The relatives of the victims are now ready to face Duterte in court. Also, a look at the end of the ceasefire in Gaza and renewed hostilities between Israel and Hamas. And, Namibia is inaugurating its first female president this week.
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In Turkey, a political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been detained. The mayor of Istanbul was arrested during a raid on his home, and accused of corruption and assisting a Kurdish militant group in the country's south. Press conferences and demonstrations have been banned in the country for four days. Also, the ongoing impact of Voice of America in former Soviet republics in central Asia. And, March Madness is here — we have a look at a Ukrainian player making an impact on Notre Dame's women's basketball team.
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Israel launched a series of attacks in Gaza overnight. Palestinian health officials say more than 400 people were killed in the strikes, one of the highest death tolls in a single day since the start of the war. This comes after negotiations involving Israel and Hamas failed to reach a deal to release the remaining hostages and maintain the ceasefire. Also, the ongoing efforts to deal with the environmental impact of Agent Orange in Vietnam. And, a visit to a fertility temple in Bhutan.
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A nightclub in North Macedonia caught fire over the weekend, killing 59 people and injuring more than 150 more. Authorities have arrested suspects implicated in the deadly blaze. A look at how that fire started, and the ripple effects across the country. Also, how the war in Ukraine has had an impact on Jewish life in the country. And, we meet a man entertaining North Koreans with magic tricks.
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The price of one ounce of gold has hit a new record: $3,000. This comes as the stock market faces a lot of volatility amid international trade wars and inflation. Also, a ceasefire between the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Turkey could have widespread effects on Turkey, Iraq and Syria. And, Norway's team has been barred from the ski jumping world championships being hosted by Oslo over suspected modifications to the team’s ski jumpers' suits. Plus, a new bill could bring back bistros to thousands of small French towns.
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Many Catholics in Argentina are praying for Pope Francis’ recovery — and hoping that he will finally come back his home country on a papal visit. Also, Bangladesh's interim government tries to retrieve money laundered by members of the previous government. And, a new UN report details sexual and gender-based violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians. Plus, Donatella Versace steps down after nearly 30 years at the helm of the luxury fashion house started by her brother.
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The Trump administration has revoked Chevron's license to pump oil in Venezuela, accusing its president of not making progress on electoral reforms. In response, Venezuela said it will stop receiving deportees from the US. Also, a new abortion clinic opens across from the Polish parliament despite the country’s strict abortion ban. And, Syria’s interim government signs a deal with the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish militia that controls the northeast. Plus, a London comedy club bans audience members with Botox injections after performers complain about unresponsive faces in the crowd.
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Following eight hours of negotiations in Saudi Arabia today, the US and Ukraine say that Kyiv will accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. Washington also pledged to lift a freeze on intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine. Also, former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was detained on an ICC arrest warrant and will likely stand trial for crimes against humanity. And, the Balochistan Liberation Army claims responsibility for a train highjacking involving more than 400 hostages in Pakistan. Plus, a museum in Finland dedicated to Vladimir Lenin shifts focus amid tensions with Russia.
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Approximately a thousand people are estimated to have been killed in Syria's coastal region after violence that followed an attack on government forces last week. Since then, members of Syria's Alawite community have been attacked and killed. Also, economist and politician Mark Carney is named Canada’s new prime minister. And, many immigrants now fear sharing their stories in the United States. Plus, Bolivia’s administrative capital, La Paz, has the longest — and highest — cable car system in the world.
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Russian state television used to portray the US as the Kremlin's biggest adversary. But since President Donald Trump's return to the White House, state-controlled media outlets in Russia are changing their tune. Also, the race between China and Japan to build the fastest bullet train. And, a cross-cultural collaboration between two jazz greats, one from the United States, the other from Brazil. Esperanza Spalding and Milton Nascimento.
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Syria's new government is reportedly working with Russia as it rebuilds. It's a surprising turn of events because Russia formerly allied itself with the Assad regime, which the current government toppled. Also, Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the terms of a ceasefire deal reached in January. The future of the deal is now uncertain. Meanwhile, the flow of humanitarian aid that many Palestinians are depending on has been cut off. Also, large numbers of Venezuelan migrants were trying to enter the US from Mexico. Now, many of them are returning to their home country instead. And, young adults are so miserable that they're altering what we know as the traditional pattern of happiness.
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Cooperation, respect and strategic interdependence have long characterized the US-Canada relationship. Now, in a matter of weeks, that mutual friendliness has been jeopardized by a trade war and increasing threats from President Donald Trump about annexing Canada. Also, in Turkey, the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, has announced a ceasefire. What the ceasefire means for security in the region. Also, Bhutan is leaning on bitcoin mining to power a much-needed economic recovery. And, astronomers are sounding the alarm about the impact of a planned renewable energy plant in Chile's Atacama desert. The area is home to some of the most-advanced observatories on Earth because of the unmatched darkness of the night sky.
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President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on the United States' top three trading partners, Canada, Mexico and China. China's response came fast, during a week of meetings in Beijing, to set the country's policy agenda for the next year. Also, some European countries prepare for a possible breakup with the US after 80 years of trans-Atlantic cooperation. Plus, Iraq conducted its first census in nearly 40 years: what the data revealed. And families in Valencia, Spain, are getting help from scientists to salvage family photos lost in last fall's flooding.
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Ukrainians are showing support to their president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following a deterioration of diplomacy at the White House on Friday. And Mexico argues that US gun companies are partially responsible for gun trafficking in Mexico. The case has gone all the way to the US Supreme Court. Plus, in the UK, the youngest-ever person to give a speech in the House of Commons makes a case for his community, the remote island of Tristan da Cunha, off the coast of Capetown, South Africa.
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President Donald Trump met today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, who was set sign a deal allowing the US access to rare earth metals in exchange for military support. But the cordial conversation soon devolved into a shouting match. Also, the Greek capital saw massive demonstrations hit fever pitch as protesters clashed with police outside of parliament on the second anniversary of a deadly train crash that killed dozens of people. And, Japan grapples with a law that has traditionally required married couples to have the same last name. Plus, a look at the unique art of glass engraving by hand in Spain that may soon disappear.
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Although Israeli leaders say they’re sending a negotiating team to Cairo, Egypt, both Israel and Hamas are wary about the second phase of a ceasefire deal. The first phase of the fragile truce is set to expire on Saturday. Also, 11 years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished over the Indian Ocean, Malaysian officials say the missing plane could be found before the next anniversary. And, the founder and leader of the PKK has called on the group to lay down its arms — potentially ending a 40-year insurgency. Plus, a former member of the Yakuza organized crime syndicate is now a Christian preacher.
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The US and Ukraine are planning to work together to develop Ukraine's mineral, oil and gas resources. Also, the Israeli military has conducted strikes in southern Syria as Syrians work through their political transition period. And, development and the elements are unearthing some of the first mummies in the world in Chile. Plus, Japanese youth turn to some unconventional dating methods.
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With a new administration at the helm, the US voted yesterday against a UNGA resolution blaming Russia for the war in Ukraine. Also, hundreds of Syrians from diverse ethnic and minority communities gathered this week in Damascus for a national dialogue conference to chart the country’s political transition. And, mixed reactions in Russia over Oscar-nominated film “Anora.” Plus, “listening lounges” are music bars in Japan that aim to maximize the audio experience.
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Leaders from around the world are visiting Kyiv to mark three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Also, Israeli troops have sent tanks into West Bank cities and towns as Palestinians flee their homes in search of safety from shelling and violence. And, Turkey is exporting eggs to the US amid a shortage and skyrocketing prices caused by the spread of bird flu. Plus, Venezuelan comedians and satirists find humor while in exile.
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The earthquake in Haiti in 2010 devastated the island and renewed Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants to the United States. Those protections have been extended in light of the extraordinary gang violence that has overtaken Haiti in recent years. The Trump administration has decided to TPS for Haitians early, at the end of summer 2025. We hear about what this means for Haitians in the US, and what it means for US foreign policy and security in the long run. Also, Germany's stagnant economy and heated rows over immigration policy have dominated this month's election campaign. Germany heads to the polls on Sunday with Chancellor Olaf Scholz's (SPD) party trailing in third place. Many eyes will be on how the far right fares on Sunday while voters in Berlin say they just want a government that can get the economy back on track. And, origami is the art of folding paper into basically any design you can imagine, from cranes and paper planes to fiery dragons. The ancient art can be traced back to Japan from thousands of years ago and has since spread across the globe. Origami's evolution continues, though, as STEM experts see how it can be used to solve real-life problems.
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Hamas and Israel continued their prisoner-for-hostage exchanges as part of the ceasefire deal in Gaza, but on Thursday, the hostages released to Israel were already dead. Hamas claims they were killed by Israeli airstrikes while they were in captivity, which Israeli officials have not denied. The occasion was a somber shift in tone for the hostage releases, which are usually days of relief and celebration in Israel. Also, on Wednesday, in Paris, European leaders held another round of emergency talks focused on how to bolster the continent’s defense capabilities and support Ukraine’s fight against Russia. The continent is worried about how to defend itself in a world with fewer security guarantees from NATO ally the US. Also, a German court rules that Birkenstocks are not art that can be copyrighted. Hear about the history and aesthetic of the beloved, ugly, centuries-old German footwear. And, the story of the Latvian film "Flow," about animals banding together to survive a flood, which is up for an Oscar.
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Brazil's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, has been charged for alleged involvement in a coup plot following his 2022 election defeat. The allegations include plans to murder his opponent Lula da Silva, the current president. These are the first criminal charges faced by Bolsonaro, who is already banned from running in the country's upcoming presidential election. Also, authorities in the Philippines have come up with a creative way to combat the mosquito-borne illness dengue. They’ve put a bounty on the heads of mosquitos to encourage locals to collect the insects and their larvae. And, in most so-called megacities with populations over 10 million people, traffic is a megaproblem. And so is the air population. But Tokyo, with a population of 37 million, bucks that trend, thanks to a massive web of public transit that keeps cars off the road.
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The US and Russia met on Tuesday for the first time in Saudi Arabia to begin negotiations on the future of Ukraine. The two sides agreed to set up teams that will hammer out an agreement. Ukrainian and European leaders are not happy about being left out. Also, in the wake of yet another airline disaster, many are wondering whether air travel is more dangerous than in the past or if we're just hearing about crashes more often than we used to. A Delta flight flipped over on Monday after landing in Toronto. And, after World War II, center-right parties in Germany formed a solid buffer against extremist parties, refusing to cooperate with them. Up until now, that buffer seemed to hold. But a gamble from Friedrich Merz, Germany’s likely next chancellor, to accept the votes of far-right lawmakers to try and pass his hard-line immigration laws, has led many to say he has broken the firewall.
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European leaders and Trump administration officials are attending the Munich Security Summit over the weekend. We'll have the latest on what was discussed, and how it might effect the war in Ukraine." Also, as we continue a deep dive into Ukraine news, we reflect on the "Maidan Revolution," as it's been called, which was a protest against a Russia-installed leader of Ukraine. Many people, especially younger Ukrainians, wanted the country to lean toward the West, not Russia. And, in Ukraine, musician Svyatoslav Vakarchuk is a living legend. But few of his songs have had as much meaning or poignancy as "Chovan," which describes the country on both sides of the Dnipro River. As The World's hosts explain, while the bridge over that river has been destroyed, the spiritual bridge that connects all Ukrainians remains firmly intact.
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Rafik Hariri was a charismatic Lebanese prime minister who oversaw an era of relative economic and political stability until his assassination. Amal Mudallali was Rafik Hariri’s foreign policy adviser and more recently a permanent representative to the UN for Lebanon, who spoke about Hariri's legacy and the opportunity Lebanon is now confronted with. Also, Australia has passed tough anti-hate laws, with mandatory jail time for giving the Nazi salute in public. It's part of an effort to combat a wave of anti-semitism in the country.Also, as controversy continues around South Korea's impeached president, a look at the anti-feminist platform that brought him to power, and the state of feminism in South Korea today. And, Chile’s biggest carnival is kicking off at full speed on Friday. As many as 150,000 people have traveled to the northern Chilean town of Arica to participate. Our reporter takes us there.
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President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have signaled a dramatic shift in the US approach to Russia, Ukraine, and the NATO alliance. Where does that leave Europe? Also, the latest craze in cryptocurrency is using memes to bring attention to specific coins. They're called meme coins, and they're risky, because they're backed by nothing but internet attention. Now, one of the world's poorest countries has become the first to launch a national meme coin. The Central African Republic's president launched it on X, and it's been a wild ride ever since. And, in Spain, the trial of former women's national team coach Luis Rubiales comes to an end; Rubiales is accused of sexual aggression for a victory kiss that player Jennifer Hermoso says was not consensual.
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The civil war in Sudan has been raging for nearly two years and has displaced an estimated 12 million people. Now, there are reports that the breakaway military faction, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has stormed the Zamzam Refugee Camp in North Darfur, Sudan's largest displacement camp. We hear from an expert who has been monitoring the situation on the ground. Denmark is dismantling immigrant neighborhoods where the government says residents — mostly people from the Middle East — don’t share “Danish values.” A law that came into effect six years ago paved the way for the government to kick folks out of public housing, and then entice people who do have Danish values to move in. That is to say: white Danes. The project is sparking vocal criticism throughout Europe. Also, a balancing act in the city of Kyoto: how to preserve the city's spiritual heritage while still benefiting from the heavy tourism it draws. And, Ukrainian journalist and Wall Street Journal correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov stops by The World to discuss his recent novel, as well as the current situation in Ukraine.
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US President Donald Trump meets with Jordan's King Abdullah II at the White House as Trump's plan to forcibly remove Palestinians in Gaza to Jordan and Egypt is met with regional and global condemnation. Also, the “Vote-o-Mat” helps German voters navigate candidates ahead of parliamentary elections. And, the movie “Emilia Pérez”, which has received 13 Oscar nominations has been mired in controversy and has become unpopular in Mexico. Plus, scientists say the shape of the Earth’s core may be changing shape.
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An AI summit in Paris brings together world leaders, scientists and tech executives to discuss the groundbreaking impact of artificial intelligence, with EU nations and India playing “catch-up” to the US and China. Also, Senegal renames its streets that were named after French colonial figures to those of prominent Senegalese. And, Israeli police arrest two Palestinian bookstore owners in occupied East Jerusalem, with Arab and Jewish supporters protesting their detention in front of a Jerusalem court. Plus, conservationists build "sloth bridges" in Costa Rica to keep the animals safe.
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Voters in Ecuador will head to the polls for general elections this weekend. The next president will face the enormous task of dismantling well-funded and powerful organized crime groups in the country as well as restoring trust in government and fix an economy in crisis. Also, the Trump administration is using military planes to deport migrants to Latin America, and regional leaders are expressing concerns about how they're being treated. And, a close relative of one of the recently-released Israeli hostages tells us her family's story.
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Advancing the human rights of LGBTQ people around the world was part of the Biden administration's policy agenda. The point person for that effort was Jessica Stern, a US special envoy. She left the job with the changing of the guard at the White House, and President Donald Trump is not expected to fill the position. On Thursday, in her first interview since stepping down, Stern reflects on her time advancing LGBTQ rights on the global stage. Also, it's been the warmest winter that anyone can remember in Russia. That might sound nice, but for many Russian communities, melting ice and thawing temperatures have caused real problems. And, Japan experiences more earthquakes than any country. So, how has its nationwide transit system remained so remarkably safe?
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Negotiations for the phase two of the ceasefire deal for Gaza are underway. The vision for this phase has been for Hamas and Israel to work out details surrounding the release of the remaining hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. But controversy surrounding comments from US President Donald Trump during Tuesday's visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu only increases the difficulty of this diplomatic challenge.
Also, what justice for past crimes might look like in post-Assad Syria. And, Thailand cut off access to power and internet for jungle compounds in Myanmar where phone and text scammers work day and night.
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Panama has become the first Latin American nation to pull out of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. It’s also weighing whether to cancel its contract with the Hong Kong-based company that operates near the Panama Canal. An adviser to the US Institute for Peace says that it's all part of the long rivalry between the US and China in Latin America. Also, Syria's new interim president is traveling to Turkey to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. There's a lot at stake for both countries. Turkey, which hosts more than 3 million Syrian refugees, wants a stable Syria next door. And Syria's new government is looking for support to help rebuild the war-torn nation. And, we meet the man considered to be the first English teacher in Japan. He staged a shipwreck to get into the country, despite the isolationist policies of the time.
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Claudia Sheinbaum was able to postpone tariffs from the US for a month. In the meantime, Canada's Justin Trudeau has promised to impose tariffs of his own, urging Canadians to buy local. We look at how leaders from the US' closest neighbors are handling the new administration's trade moves. Also, a showdown in Toronto over bike lanes. The city built new infrastructure for cyclists during the pandemic. But the Ontario government wants to force Toronto to remove them. And, we have Groundhog Day here in the US. But other countries have their own traditional rituals around the dawn of springtime.
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Syria’s de-facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa was declared the country’s transitional president on Wednesday. The former rebel leader addressed Syrians directly yesterday and called for justice and elections following a transitional period. Also, 10 days into President Donald Trump’s administration, the US southern border remains closed to asylum-seekers, and many are now considering ditching the American Dream to settle in Mexico instead. And, seven candidates are vying for a chance to be the next president of the International Olympic Committee. Plus, a three-tiered popcorn tax in India.
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Argentina’s president reverses a law that established femicide as a crime. Also, a new report shows that the majority of young people in the UK would prefer to live in a dictatorship, and many of them also want the army to be in charge. And, the Israeli government has banned the UN's Palestinian aid agency, UNRWA, from operating in Israel land in East Jerusalem. Plus, Spanish guitarist Antonio Rey’s latest flamenco album is up for a Grammy Award in the Best Global Music Album category.
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A deadly stampede interrupts celebrations at a Hindu festival in northern India, leaving dozens of people dead. Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest religious gathering, where upwards of 400 million pilgrims gather at the confluence of two rivers for sacred rituals. Also, US-funded assistance programs across the globe are reeling after the Trump administration freezes most foreign aid. And, scientists discover a wealth of deep sea animal life surrounding a volcano beneath an ocean in the Arctic. Plus, Vietnam rings in its Lunar New Year celebrations with a song by ABBA.
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Mexico has started constructing giant tent shelters in border towns where people deported by the US can get food, temporary housing, medical care and free bus rides back to their hometowns. The program is called "Mexico embraces you" — and although it's intended for Mexican deportees, the country's President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government will consider sheltering migrants from other nations, too. Also, Serbia's prime minister says he'll step down following weeks of protests against government corruption. And, a decade after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission stopped investigating crimes against humanity committed under apartheid, some South African families are suing the government for not taking up their cases as promised.
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Royalty, heads of state and dignitaries from more than 50 countries gathered in southern Poland today to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Also, a solid gold helmet on loan from Romania was stolen in a dramatic museum heist in the Netherlands. And, the US has frozen nearly all foreign aid while the Trump administration reviews where the aid should go. Plus, Rema's is hoping to take home his first Grammy after his second studio album "Heis" topped the charts in his home country of Nigeria.
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In the days since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect, people in Gaza have begun returning to the neighborhoods they'd fled — only to find total devastation. Also, how Canada is preparing for US tariffs, from the highest levels of government to the individual Canadian household. And, the latest on an oil spill in Russia, that's been called the worst environmental catastrophe of the 21st century.
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Syria's economy under the previous government was tightly managed by former President Bashar al-Assad, his family and close associates. But now, Syria's new government is looking to introduce economic reform to further liberalize Syria's economy, which remains heavily sanctioned by the US and Europe. Also, in most cities, transit systems are government-run. But in Japan, that’s not the case. The network of trains, subways and buses considered among the best on earth is run by private companies. We take a peek at how it works. And, around the globe, thousands of refugees are stranded since President Donald Trump paused the US resettlement program in a series of executive orders; a look at how that pipeline works, and how it's been disrupted.
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On the campaign trail, US President Donald Trump promised to end wars, worldwide, starting in Ukraine. As his administration's Cabinet takes shape, we'll look at his appointees' records to get a deeper understanding of the Trump administration's approach to that conflict. Also, three new laws passed by Iraq’s parliament could effectively legalize child marriage, according to critics. And, what the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change will mean for the globe going forward.
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Israel's military is conducting raids in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. Israel is seeking to flush out armed Palestinian factions in the area. This comes as some 90 Palestinians prisoners were released from Israeli prisons following a ceasefire deal in Gaza with Hamas. Also, Denmark has announced plans to rethink a parenting competency test that has earned heavy criticism for using Danish cultural norms to measure fitness in Greenland's Inuit communities. Human rights groups have long expressed concerns that bias baked into the test can lead to children being unjustly removed from Indigenous families. Also, what it would mean globally, for the US to withdraw from the World Health Organization — and what that process would actually look like. And, the US Customs and Border Protection announced Monday that the CBP One app would no longer be used to admit migrants. We hear from people who'd been relying on the app to get into the US legally.
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President Donald Trump laid out foreign policy promises, goals and predictions during his swearing-in ceremony as he assumes another term in office. Also, the UN says 630 aid trucks have entered Gaza since the start of the ceasefire deal over the weekend between Israel and Hamas. And, the Ankole cattle of western Uganda are now considered an endangered breed as farmers switch to other imports such as Holsteins. Plus, remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s universal message against oppression.
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Israel's security Cabinet has okayed a ceasefire deal with Hamas. But some members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet have threatened to resign and the future of his government remains in the balance. Also, authorities around the world are trying to crack down on AI-generated images of child sexual abuse. And, the most-beloved sport in Canada — hockey — is getting an update. This year, the sport will be broadcast in Indigenous languages Cree and Inuktitut.
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Palestinians and Israelis react to a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Also, Indonesia rolls out a massive new free meal program for school children to help reduce stunting and poverty in the country, improve educational outcomes and increase farmer incomes. And, efforts are underway to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in the global maritime shipping industry. Plus, American TikTok users are switching to RedNote in an act of protest.
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After months of back and forth, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal. Also, Yoon Suk Yeol becomes South Korea's first sitting president to be placed under arrest. And, the outcome of the standoff between miners and police in South Africa. Plus, the voice behind Japan’s bullet train announcements.
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A trial is underway this week in South Korea's Constitutional Court that could remove the country's president from office. Also, Mexico sends a team of firefighters to California to help battle the wildfires that have devastated parts of Los Angeles. And, the trip in fishing boats from Morocco's western Atlantic coast to Spain's Canary Islands is just the final leg of a long, harrowing trip that can last for years. Plus, Village Hydroponics in Vermont grows and shares food, for free, with people displaced from their home countries.
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Ukraine’s military says it captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region of Russia over the weekend. Around 10,000 North Koreans are believed to be fighting on behalf of Russia. Also, rolling blackouts are wreaking havoc on daily life in Iran. And, Sudan's armed forces have captured the city of Wad Madani, marking a significant blow to the Rapid Support Forces. Plus, members of Afghanistan’s first-ever all-female flight and the story of how their lives were turned upside down.
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The world is on the threshold of failing to reach an important climate goal to stop the global temperature from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. It was the most ambitious climate goal in the Paris Agreement, but it's unclear if failure is official, or just imminent. Also, with the devastating fires in Los Angeles still raging, we hear about an interesting fire warning system that was developed by a German company. Also, in Venezuela, the popular leader of the political opposition, Marina Corina Mochado, was detained during an anti-government protest. She was released soon afterward. But she was also reportedly made to appear in several videos. And, more Americans and deciding to retire abroad. How it all works — and what it's meant for one family that now splits its time between Japan and the US.
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A state funeral for Jimmy Carter is being held on Thursday in Washington. When the 39th US president was sworn into office in 1977, he pledged to elevate human rights in American foreign policy. We look into that legacy. Also, the last time Japan’s army came to the Philippines in big numbers was during World War II, amid an invasion that left the country in ruins. That was 80 years ago. Now, the Philippines wants Japanese forces back on its bases. And, Russia’s war in Ukraine has included an assault on the country’s cultural sites. We meet Ukrainians fighting to protect their heritage in wartime.
European leaders are alarmed about what they see as foreign election meddling. It's coming from Elon Musk, the wealthiest man on Earth and a close adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump. Musk has been using his global social media megaphone to promote far-right politicians in Europe, like the Alternative for Germany (AFD) party, which has been named an extremist group by Germany's own intelligence agencies.Also, Nicolás Maduro will be inaugurated as president in Venezuela later this week. Despite widespread accusations of election fraud.And, Ukrainian war refugees in Moldova, looking to stay for the long term.
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In Chinese-controlled Tibet, rescue workers are still digging through rubble after a powerful earthquake near Mount Everest. The rescue operation is complicated by altitudes averaging around 13,000 feet in the area. Also, an archaeologist and former professor at Damascus University returns to the Syrian capital for the first time since fleeing in 2006. We hear personal reflections about what the homecoming has been like, as well as analysis of where things stand in Damascus right now. Also, an earthquake in Tibet has killed dozens of people, and rescue teams are rushing to find survivors in freezing temperatures. And, in the Costa Rican village of Boruca, a dance reenacting an ancestral battle against colonizers is drawing tourists, and locals have mixed feelings about that.
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Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a public announcement — sharing his plan to resign following a massive decline in support and a high profile resignation from his Cabinet. Also, the Biden administration is making its final push for a ceasefire in Gaza before Donald Trump reassumes the White House two weeks from now. And, many Ukrainians are turning to poetry as a symbol of patriotism and resistance during wartime.
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Tourism in Cuba has not recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic began; and new conditions on the island are deterring tourists from visiting to soak up its culture, beauty and political history. Also, South Korean authorities were unable to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol following an hours-long stand-off with his security services. And, a hidden crisis unfolds in Japan where over a million people have retreated from society for months or even years, in a phenomenon known as hikikomori. Plus, a self-taught baker brings flavors from her childhood spent in Argentina to a small farm stand in Southern Vermont.
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Kyiv opts to not renew a contract with Moscow that brought Russian natural gas to Europe and $1 billion dollars in transit fees to Ukraine. Also, Japan grapples with “lonely deaths” of some 68,000 elderly people who die alone at home every year. And, although global cases of tuberculosis have decreased in recent years, Latin America has seen a 19% increase in its number of cases, with one report pointing to rising incarceration rates as a major factor. Plus, Costa Rica has its own version of bullfighting that doesn’t kill the bull.
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The World welcomes 2025 with this music holiday special. We look at a middle-school teacher in France who uses rap to teach math. Also, Italian pasta company Barilla released a soundtrack it says was scientifically designed to enhance the taste and texture of its pasta. And, music from Innoss'B tries to combat malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Plus, Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz’s season-long residency at New York's Carnegie Hall that has offered many exciting new pieces.
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In this New Year’s Eve special, The World looks at discoveries from around the globe. With Mount Everest adding an extra 160 feet in the past 89,000 years, according to a recent study, we discuss how and why mountain ranges grow. Also, 2024 was the 200th year since the first dinosaur was named. And, finding lost cities in the mountains of Uzbekistan. Plus, using AI to create images of memories.
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A look at former President Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy, including his lasting foreign policy. Also, a conversation about effective global giving strategies, especially around the holiday season. And, a look back and climate and weather patterns in 2024. Plus, a yearly German tradition to watch a decades-old British comedy sketch on New Year’s Eve.
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The majority of deaths from the 2004 earthquake and tsunami were in Indonesia. But one island had just a handful of deaths, and researchers say that was partly due to folklore passed down through generations. Also, an update on the situation in Syria as Syrians look to the future with a mixture of fear and hope. And, Albania's former president was arrested on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, but the problem may be more widespread. Plus, a soup to celebrate, not only the new year, but Haiti’s independence day.
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On the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami that took the lives of more than 220,000 people, we look at why there are so many abandoned houses that were built for survivors in Indonesia. Also, investigations are underway to determine what caused a passenger plane to crash in Kazakhstan. And, the theft of succulents has become a massive illegal trade across the globe. Plus, reconnecting with a family whose neighbor left a pile of gifts for their son before passing away.
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The World travels the globe to share various religious traditions in this holiday special. We look at Armenian Christians in the Old City of Jerusalem who say their community is facing an unprecedented threat. Also, a shuttered synagogue reopens in India for the funeral services of a community elder. And, millions of people journey to Iraq for the annual Arbaeen walk. Plus, colorful flower “carpets” made of sawdust adorn the streets of Guatemala for Holy Week.
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The World takes a look at what people consider sacred spaces around the globe in this holiday special. On the tropical island of Bougainville, locals discover an icon of Saint Mary believed to have supernatural powers. Also, some Mapuche communities in Chile use an ancestral sport to help protect and revive their culture, customs and language. And, a Buddhist nun and surfer hits the waves, discovering a higher sense of purpose that can come from being in the natural world. Plus, Argentine Jewish musicologists embark on a mission to revive their community's musical heritage.
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Japan’s second- and third-largest automakers are pursuing a $50 billion deal that could dramatically shake up the global auto industry. Also, Palestinians discuss death as the war in Gaza drags on. And, The Guardian publishes the first known photos of an uncontacted community living in the Amazon. Plus, a rice porridge keeping people in Denmark warm and cozy through the winter season.
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The US State Department's top Middle East envoy, Barbara Leaf, arrived in Damascus today for meetings with Syria's new interim government. Also, a Belgian train conductor is under investigation for violating the country's language laws after greeting passengers bilingually. And, why the conditions for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are improving, and what incentives are pushing the talks forward between Israel and Hamas. Plus, why Hong Kong's claw machines may need to be regulated by the government.
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US officials say Russia has deployed some 8,000 North Koreans in the Kursk region, the border area where Ukrainian forces seized Russian territory in a surprise attack over the summer. But there may be far fewer troops returning home than Pyongyang expected. Also, journalists use fake Tinder profiles to identify and follow the movements of hundreds of soldiers in Europe, including many Americans. And, a look into the growing phenomenon of countries repressing dissidents beyond their own borders, including a NATO ally of the US: Turkey. Plus, Host Marco Werman puts his knowledge of Africa to the test in a trivia game.
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As Syria goes through historic changes, minority groups remain on edge. The commander of the US-backed Kurdish SDF discusses the situation in an exclusive interview with The World. Also, the tiny island nation of Vanuatu struggles to recover from a powerful earthquake. And, a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill in Ghana is one step closer to becoming law. Also, Thailand is offering a path to citizenship for nearly half a million stateless people in its borders in what its government is calling a “New Year’s gift.” Plus, a worldwide competition to find the coolest stick.
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A bomb went off early this morning in Moscow, killing a Russian General Igor Kirillov. He was the head of the Russian military’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces. Also, a mass grave has been found in Al-Qutayfah, Syria, bringing clarity to the fate of many political prisoners under the Assad regime. And, this year brought significant changes to Canada’s education sector, creating upheaval for international students. Plus, a new high-speed bullet train between Paris and Berlin is being hailed as a symbol of French-German friendship.
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Israel's prime minister says his government plans to double the Israeli population in the Golan Heights, an area considered a "strategic plateau" since Israel captured it from Syria in 1967. Also, South Korea's constitutional court is deciding whether or not to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. And, legendary tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain dies at the age of 73. Plus, a spicy Thai soup with a twist.
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The Sednaya Prison complex in Damascus was synonymous with the Syrian government's reputation for brutality. Once inside, prisoners had little chance of coming out alive. Over the past week, thousands of families rushed to the prison in the hopes of finding their missing loved ones. Also, Ukraine needs more troops to fend off Russian invaders. The draft age in Ukraine was already lowered from 27 to 25. Now, they're talking about drafting men who are 18 to 25. And, why the changing climate in places like Brazil and Vietnam will soon have you paying more for that morning cup of Joe.
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South Korea's president says he'll "fight to the end." But he's facing calls from all sides to resign. And the opposition says it plans to move on a second impeachment measure. We have the latest from the South Korean capital, Seoul. Also, why Syria's new leaders are working to get punishing economic sanctions lifted as soon as possible. And, we meet a man who was trafficked by an organized crime operation in Southeast Asia and forced to work as an internet scammer.
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Many Syrians who have lived in Turkey for years are eager to return home to Syria. But others say an evolving security situation and financial concerns are giving them pause. Meanwhile, governments across Europe have paused asylum applications submitted by Syrians. Also, a new report by the OECD finds that reading and math scores for adults in most of the world’s high-income countries have declined during the past decade. And, the Arctic tundra is now releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than it stores. Plus, a man from New Zealand who doesn’t speak Spanish has won the Spanish Scrabble championships.
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As many Syrians rejoice at the downfall of the former dictatorship in their country, Israel has been conducting numerous strikes on targets across Syria, reportedly destroying chemical weapons stores belonging to the former Assad regime. Also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes the stand in his long-running corruption trial, facing charges of fraud, breach of trust and taking bribes. And, the Dominican Republic has deported more than 71,000 Haitians back to Haiti since October, and hoping to continue to deport thousands more each week. Plus, the universe is expanding at a rate faster than previously believed.
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For the first time in two decades, Syrians say they are experiencing a taste of freedom after President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. Also, a motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol failed over the weekend but many are still calling on him to resign. And, Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama has clinched a comeback election victory and will return to power seven years after stepping down. Plus, singer-guitarist Olguita Acuña carries on her activism after fleeing to Costa Rica from Nicaragua.
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A top Romanian court has annulled results from the first round of the country's vote for president. The unprecedented ruling comes after the declassification of intelligence alleging that a Russian campaign had promoted the far-right winner. Our Europe correspondent has the latest. Also, a new directive from the Taliban bans women in Afghanistan from studying dentistry, nursing, and midwifery. And, a standup comic from Zimbabwe on how jokes land differently in the US.
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As a successful no-confidence vote topples the French government, a look at the political career of President Emmanuel Macron, whose presidency once signaled hope for change. Also, this week marks 40 years since the world's deadliest industrial disaster. The Bhopal gas leak originating at a pesticide plant in 1984 exposed 500,000 people in India to toxic vapors, killing thousands that night and leaving many more with serious health issues that persist to this day. How the Bhopal disaster changed India. And, Google's new AI weather forecasting tool, in the context of a global need for longer-term weather predictions.
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In South Korea on Wednesday, the streets were relatively calm after a night that many saw as the beginning of a coup d'état. That followed the president's controversial declaration of martial law. With the president now facing an impeachment effort by parliament, many Koreans are calm but concerned. Also, new research out of Canada shows that the company Amazon restricts access to books in Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. And, a new law in Belgium makes sex workers eligible for labor rights and protections.
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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a surprise televised announcement overnight imposing martial law, saying "North Korean forces" needed to be eradicated. Lawmakers quickly acted to cancel the emergency declaration, but the bitter political divide in the country remains unresolved. Also, a coalition of rebel forces in Syria is continuing its advance after capturing Aleppo, making its way through towns and villages toward the central city of Hama. And, a court in Vietnam upholds the death penalty for property tycoon Truong My Lan following her April conviction for embezzlement and bribery amounting to $12.5 billion. Plus, an aging population across Japan is redefining what it means to work.
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Syria's anti-government rebels launched a massive offensive last week, taking most observers by surprise and gaining control over the largest city, Aleppo. The regime of President Bashar al-Assad has responded by conducting aerial attacks on Aleppo city and Idlib province. Also, the president of the International Criminal Court lashed out at the US and Russia for interfering with its investigations as the institution’s annual meeting opened on today. And, a gathering of more than 200 nations convened in Busan, South Korea, to reach a landmark agreement on ending plastic pollution, but left without achieving its goal after pressure from oil-rich nations. Plus, Hong Kong launches its “PANDA GO! FEST HK” festival with 2,500 panda statues made of recycled rubber barrels to be put on display this month.
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National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek began an epic walk in early 2013, tracing the first steps of human migration out of Africa some 60,000 years ago. The World brings you some of his stories and experiences in this Out of Eden Walk special — starting in Ethiopia and walking through the Holy Lands, Uzbekistan and India, to mention a few. He even shares some of the foods he's eaten along the way to power his walk.
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As families and friends gather for meals together on US Thanksgiving Day, The World brings you a show packed with a variety of food stories. From brewing banana beer to a cookbook filled with African dishes; from the battle over döner kebabs to a lawsuit over butter chicken and from a mushroom restaurant in Mexico to savory ice cream flavors in 18th century England, this special show will pique your culinary interests.
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In the first day of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, we'll hear how people in Lebanon are feeling, as well as what analysts are seeing from military and diplomatic standpoints. Also, what's at stake for the Philippines in the wake of the vice president's public threat to assassinate the country's president? And, how mariachi singer Deyra Barrera ended up on the Kendrick Lamar album that just dropped.
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Mexico’s president has warned US President-elect Donald Trump against plans to slap large tariffs on the United States' three largest trading partners: Mexico, Canada and China. Also, Interpol's affiliate, Afripol, which is a union of African law enforcement agencies, has arrested more than a thousand suspected cybercriminals of various stripes in a continent-wide dragnet. And, thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan have flooded Pakistan’s capital Islamabad demanding his release. Plus, Italy plans to start the construction of a suspension bridge connecting mainland Italy to Sicily in 2025, an idea that’s been centuries in the making.
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Officials at the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, penned a new climate finance deal this weekend, with richer countries agreeing to pay $300 billion per year to help countries in the Global South cope with climate change. Also, Israel's ambassador to the US says that a ceasefire with Hezbollah could be implemented "within days." And, Nicaragua’s legislature appears set to approve a constitutional amendment that would elevate the wife of the country’s leader to a new role as “co-president.” Plus, legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz, who remains wildly popular in Lebanon and the broader Middle East, turned 90 late last week.
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Police in Brazil say they've indicted former President Jair Bolsonaro — along with three dozen others — for allegedly planning a coup to keep Bolsonaro in power in 2022. Also, Albania will transform an Islamic Sufi order into a sovereign state. If all goes to plan, the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order will become the world's smallest state, just a quarter of the size of Vatican City, with its own administration, passports and borders. And, the Cambridge Dictionary's English word of the year is "manifest." But what about words of the year in other languages?
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The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu's office said these were "absurd and false accusations." Also, Iraq is getting underway with its first national census in decades — the results could have a big impact on the political direction of the country. And, a Scottish whiskey maker is taking California wine country by storm.
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Public and private sector workers in Greece walked off the job to protest the rising cost of living. Public sector unions are demanding a 10% wage hike and the return of salaries cut during Greece's nearly decade-long financial crisis that began in 2010. Also the Biden Administration has agreed to supply Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines in an effort to slow the steady advance of Russia’s troops, especially in the eastern Donbas region. And, an entire fleet of diesel trains that were taken off the tracks in California are being shipped to the megacity of Lima, Peru, where they will be used for a new commuter rail project. Plus, the Catholic Church is set to get its first millennial and digital saint.
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A proposed New Zealand bill redefining the country’s founding agreement with the Indigenous Māori has erupted into political turmoil, with protests all week culminating in a thousands-strong march on the capital of Wellington. Also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is at the center of a multi-faceted investigation involving documents gathered using secret intelligence methods. And, global carbon emissions are on track to hit a new record high this year — as they continue to heat the planet, wreak havoc on local ecosystems and fuel more extreme natural disasters. Plus, the search for fairy tales was a search for identity for the Brothers Grimm.
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Revolutionary groups in Myanmar have been successful in battling the military junta that controls the central government. But China is not giving up on the regime. That's making it difficult for the rebels to topple the military rulers who seized power in a coup. Also, Ukraine now has a green light from the US to strike deep into Russian-held territory with long-range American weapons. And, we hear from a city in India that's become a model for protecting its citizens from a heat wave.
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The World Health Organization has released a new study saying that an estimated 107,500 people died from measles in 2023, most of them under the age of five. Also, a look at the effectiveness of “blue zones.” And, some moments of joy and resilience amid the war in Gaza. Also, farmers in Spain try to convert olive pits into "bio-fuel.” Plus, a look at last night’s Latin Grammy Awards.
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Peru is inaugurating a huge commercial port built by China, which is expected to become a game changer in the region. Also, a new study finds that private aviation is booming, with flights often clustered around big international events — including climate summits. And, the Biden administration is set to begin sending US military contractors to Ukraine. Plus, a new AI bot whose job is to scam the scammers.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Biden administration plans to send as much aid as possible to Ukraine before it leaves office so it can hold Russia's military forces at bay. Also, the Archbishop of Canterbury resigns after an investigation found he failed to report physical and sexual abuse at Christian summer camps. And, an American defense contractor whose employees worked as interrogators at Abu Ghraib prison during the US occupation of Iraq has been ordered to pay $42 million dollars in damages to three Iraqi plaintiffs over the torture and abuse they suffered while in detention. Plus, a mobile health clinic tries to help patients in need of health services in South Africa.
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The list of “no shows” at the two-week COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan is long. Smaller countries, including island nations, most vulnerable to climate change are now trying to fill the leadership vacuum. Also, police in Italy say they have busted a major criminal art-forging network, recovering 2,100 fraudulent works peddled by the ring. And, a Dutch court has overturned a 2021 case that ordered the oil giant Shell to cut its greenhouse emissions down by 45% before 2030. Plus, a cruise line tries to woo Americans who are disappointed by the US election results, offering a four-year “Skip Forward" cruise.
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Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council has ousted leader Garry Conille after six months, naming businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as his replacement, but critics say the move may violate the country's constitution. Also, doctors in Lebanon say they have seen a sharp increase in premature births and miscarriages as strikes from Israel intensify. And, experts sent by the UN Security Council landed in Port Sudan on Sunday to investigate possible war crimes committed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Plus, a look at the legacy of dancer Judith Jamison, who died this weekend at 81.
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Africa is home to more than 1.3 billion people in 54 different countries. The reactions to Donald Trump's reelection are wide ranging, but there's also a gap between the expectations of African leaders and ordinary people. Also, COP29 opens on Nov. 11 in Azerbaijan. Many environmentalists are critical that the conference is being hosted by an oil-producing nation, but others are hopeful it will bring results. And, the f-word is part of the unique set of profanities that cannot be uttered on public radio, but its history and use is no less fascinating. We'll dive into the etymology of that four-letter word.
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Officially, the Kremlin is keeping quiet about the reelection of Donald Trump. But Vladimir Putin might be looking forward to new opportunities with a second Trump administration. Also, Israel has carried out thousands of air strikes in Gaza and Lebanon -- there are serious ethical and legal questions about some of those attacks. And, in global health news: the WHO says it tracked 8 million cases of tuberculosis last year — that's the highest ever.
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America's decision to bring Donald Trump back to the Oval Office will shape events worldwide for years to come. Our reporters bring us voices from Latin America, the Middle East and Europe for early reactions to the news. Also, we have the latest developments and perspectives on the political shake-up in Israel, including Benjamin Netanyahu's recent dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. And, British and Icelandic companies team up on a joint venture to build a solar energy plant in space.
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DHL's logistics hub in Leipzig, Germany, is sophisticated and enormous. So, when parcels in the facility started catching fire, at first, it was confounding and concerning. But it wasn't long before European spies and law enforcement figured out what was happening. They say Russia was sending incendiary devices through the mail. Also, only two countries do not allow divorce. One is the Vatican. The other is the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic nation where clergy preach a message that divorce is "anti-family." But a movement to legalize divorce in the Philippines is gaining traction. And, in Ukraine, front-line soldiers brace for the hardest winter of war yet.
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American voters are about to choose their next president, but whoever takes office will influence matters far beyond US borders. On the eve of the presidential election, we'll get to the heart of what's at stake in the Middle East, Latin America, Asia and Africa. Also, the world lost one of the biggest names in music on Sunday. Quincy Jones passed away at the age of 91. He leaves behind a legacy that spans decades and genres. And, New York City just made jaywalking legal, after data showed that people of color were overwhelmingly the ones being stopped for the crime. But why was it a crime in the first place?
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The number of aid trucks entering Gaza has hit an all-time low since the current war began there. The shortages are prompting new dire warnings from aid organizations. Also, a referendum in Moldova intended to put an end to decades of swerving between East and West yields a microscopic win for the pro-Western crowd. And, Italy considers reversing its ban on nuclear power plants. Plus, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek takes us through the Gangnam entertainment district in South Korea.
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As the death toll rises and the damage to homes and infrastructure becomes clear, authorities are saying that the record floods in Spain could be the worst flooding disaster in Spain’s modern history. Also, two former cops in Brazil went to trial yesterday for the 2018 assassination of Marielle Franco, a politician-turned-civil rights icon. And, for the first time in 15 years, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost its absolute majority in Japan's lower house of parliament following last weekend’s snap elections. Plus, a talk with author and Russia scholar Mark Galeotti, whose new book chronicles Russia's vivid military history.
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Flash floods in eastern Spain have claimed the lives of at least 95 people. Also, the island of Bougainville is seeking independence from Papua New Guinea — and an alliance with the United States. And, IKEA's German branch announced Tuesday that it will contribute $6.5 million to support victims of the former communist East German regime that the company forced to do labor. Plus, a look at how Japan is supporting its hometown hero, star LA Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani.
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European auto giant Volkswagen has plans that may include closing some of its manufacturing plants in Germany, which could lead to tens of thousands of layoffs. Also, opposing political parties in Taiwan wrangle over constitutional issues at a time when the island faces a threat like never before from neighboring China. And, Hezbollah has appointed Naim Qassem as its new leader, with Israel already announcing its intent to assassinate him. Plus, an archaeology PhD student accidentally discovers what may be one of the most important cities from the Classic period of Mayan civilization.
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Georgians went to the polls over the weekend to cast their ballots in parliamentary elections, which resulted in a contested vote. Also, satellite images document the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes on Iran over the weekend. And, Pakistan launches a massive campaign to vaccinate 45 million children following a resurgence of polio cases in recent weeks there. Plus, a look at Jamaican apple pickers in a town in New York State that is part of the Champlain Valley.
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An Israeli military strike on a media residence in Lebanon killed three journalists as they slept, and wounded several others. The Lebanese Information Minister called the strike “an assassination." Also, Major League Baseball draws star athletes from across the globe, with a whopping 28% of the players in the league this season born outside the country. As the Dodgers and the Yankees head to the World Series, there are a few international players — including a current superstar — who will be stepping up to bat. And, as Halloween approaches, we hear about the discovery of a previously unknown short story by the author of "Dracula." An amateur historian stumbled on the spooky tale, which had disappeared from public record for more than a century, in the archives of a Dublin library.
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People in the former Soviet republic of Georgia overwhelmingly seek membership in the European Union. But the EU has put those hopes on ice, accusing the government in Georgia of rolling back democratic freedoms. This weekend, Georgian voters head to the polls in a crucial election for the country, caught between pressures from Russia and Europe. Also, younger workers in Portugal are leaving the country in droves, with rising rents and falling wages pushing them out. The government introduced new tax breaks to try to reverse the trend. But it might be too little, too late, to halt brain drain in Portugal. And, a deadly attack took place on Wednesday in Turkey's capital at the headquarters of a Turkish aerospace and defense company.
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More than a year after the attack of Oct. 7, the Israeli military is still operating in the Gaza Strip. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel again this week, urging the Israeli government to find a way to end the war and bring the remaining hostages home. But it's not clear at this point what Israel's leaders are hoping to achieve. Also, Mexico's new president wants to address the problem of childhood obesity. She's going after junk food. And, the birth rate in Japan has fallen dramatically. The government is deeply concerned about what that means for the country's future, and its economy. But the government's incentives to Japanese families, aimed at encouraging them to have kids, don't seem to be working.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin's government is being squeezed by international sanctions, and he himself faces an arrest warrant for war crimes. But that isn't stopping Putin from hosting a summit this week. Among those invited to the BRICS gathering in Russia are the leaders of China, India and Turkey. Also, the United Nations is calling for an investigation into reports about the killing of dozens of Afghan migrants near Afghanistan's border with Iran. The Iranian ambassador to Afghanistan denied that the killings took place. And, years of war in Ukraine are weighing heavily on the minds of the country's youngest people. Children's books are helping some of them process what they're going through, or just offer a temporary escape.
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Whoever wins the November election will be inheriting an enormous foreign policy challenge in the Middle East. The most important US ally in the region — Israel — is fighting a multifront war with no end in sight. So, how would Kamala Harris and Donald Trump differ in the ways that they approach the region? Today, we speak with two foreign policy advisers on the Middle East, including one who's worked with Trump and the other with Harris. Also, Cuba just suffered its second blackout in less than 24 hours. There are numerous reasons for the crisis, but an aging power grid has been a problem for years. And, Jonquel Jones won the MVP for helping the New York Liberty capture its first-ever WNBA finals Sunday night in overtime. People in the Bahamas are celebrating, too. Jones left her home country as a teenager to pursue her basketball dreams in the US.
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Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant for the country's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Also, a bespoke press is now focusing solely on Asian American literature to counter discrimination among that demographic. And, the FBI has announced charges against Ryan James Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder for Team Canada, for allegedly running a drug trafficking ring and being involved in the murders of four people. Plus, a walk along the demilitarized zone that divides the Korean Peninsula.
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The Israeli military says it has killed Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar. Also, the governor of La Rioja province in Argentina has put an alternate currency called "chachos" into circulation. And, Italy passes the most restrictive law against international surrogacy in the West. Plus, the US now has a new Arctic ambassador.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has outlined a five-point "victory plan" to his nation’s parliament. Also, Turkish authorities have revoked the license of independent radio station Açık Radyo — or Open Radio — taking it off the air today. And, the Dominican Republic has deported more than 10,000 Haitians in the last week, the first of many planned weekly deportations. Plus, a UK-based group is rewilding a herd of long-horned animals resembling cattle into the Scottish Highlands to fill the ecological role once played by an extinct wild ancestor of today's grazing livestock.
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Israel’s attack on a hospital complex in central Gaza, which led to a massive fire that killed at least four people and injured many more, has renewed calls for Israel to uphold international humanitarian law. Also, Canada has expelled India’s top diplomat in the country along with five others, with India responding in kind and expelling six Canadian diplomats. And, the first people to be intercepted at sea by the Italian navy under a controversial migration deal are on their way to Albania to have their asylum claims processed. Plus, 11 months after the National Zoo in Washington sent three pandas back to China, a new pair of bears has arrived. They’ll make their public debut in January.
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The United States has the highest number of international students in the world. Last year, the number of students who came to America were almost back to prepandemic levels at over 1 million. Many come in the hope of staying and living the American dream. But that's not so easy. On the flip side, some American students seek to expand their horizons by studying abroad. We hear about how going to school overseas can support working abroad. And, one US student shares his love for Japan and his desire to stay there in the long term.
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This year's Nobel Peace Prize has been announced: the honor goes to Nihon Hidankyo, a group of survivors of the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They united in 1956 to speak out about the suffering caused by nuclear warfare. We'll hear some of their stories. Also, a Ukrainian missile strike in Russian controlled territory last week killed several North Korean military officers, according to officials in Ukraine and South Korea. The Kremlin calls those reports "fake news." But we'll hear why experts who have been closely following Ukraine since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion think it's plausible. And, Friday is the International Day of the Girl, so designated by the UN to address the particular challenges many girls face worldwide. We hear the story of a South Asian film called "Maya: Birth of a Superhero," bringing viewers into a virtual reality designed to alleviate the shame and isolation that accompany menstruation in some cultures.
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Iranians have been on edge, waiting for retaliation ever since Tehran attacked Israel with waves of ballistic missiles. Officials in Israel have hinted they might target Iran's gas or oil infrastructure. Or they might go even further. We'll hear how Iranians are viewing the standoff. Also, Argentina's president, Javier Milei, garnered votes by promising to fix his country's economy. But since he took office in December, the poverty rate has increased. He says it's just a rough patch; critics aren't so sure. And, hear about the musical collaboration behind a new Afrobeat album called "Lagos Paris London."
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As Hurricane Milton nears Florida's west coast, the State Assistance Information Line has opened 24/7 phone lines in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole. Today on The World, how language and storm preparedness intersect for immigrant communities. Also, Turkey has blocked the instant messaging platform Discord. This comes amid public outrage over Discord users responding to the recent murder of two women in Istanbul by cheering on the violence. We'll get a better understanding of how Discord works, how people use it, and what's motivating Turkey's objections to it. And, have you ever wondered how an elephant's trunk works, and what that wrinkly pachyderm skin might have to do with it? Wonder no more.
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Israel is expanding its ground incursion into southern Lebanon and Israeli air strikes continue to target Beirut's southern suburbs. About a million Lebanese have been displaced in recent weeks and many in Lebanon are feeling abandoned by the international community. Also, British Canadian scientist Geoffrey Hinton has been called "the godfather of artificial intelligence" because his research laid the groundwork for advancements in AI. But that doesn't mean he's a proponent. In fact, he's known for speaking out about the dangers of the technologies he helped invent. We'll hear his reaction to Tuesday's announcement that he's won the 2024 Nobel Prize in physics. And, Tunisian President Kais Saied has claimed a second term in a landslide election that critics say was rigged, with his closest challenger getting only 7% of the vote. We'll get analysis on the state of Tunisian democracy, given that this largely predicted scenario has come to fruition.
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It's been one year since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that stunned the world. It forever changed the course of both large-scale global events and individual life stories. We'll step back and look at the impact of Oct. 7, 2023 — from the fate of the 100 Israeli hostages still unaccounted for, to the transformation of life in Gaza over the last 12 months. Also, during Argentina’s dictatorship, in the late 1970s, state terror led to the killing and disappearance of roughly 30,000. But since then, there's been an effort to hold those responsible to account, and memorials acknowledging the crimes of the past serve as constant reminders throughout the country. But Argentina’s new libertarian President Javier Milei is now closing government investigations into the crimes of the past and looking to roll back lawsuits that achieved justice for the victims of the dictators. And, housing prices are on the rise in Russia, and in big cities like Moscow, it's creating financial strain for people struggling to pay their bills. But the Russian government has taken aggressive action by creating subsidized programs to get more Russians into new homes. Just one catch: they have to be willing to move to the wilderness. We'll hear what it's like to do just that.
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Lebanon's facing a massive crisis right now. More than 2,000 people have been killed in the past two weeks amid Israel and Hezbollah's war. Also, with flights to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq canceled, many travelers are stranded in Turkey, a regional transit hub. Our reporter takes us to the scene, as we hear how people stuck-in-transit are thinking about the escalation of war in the Middle East, and how they're feeling about its impact on their lives. Also, Japan shut down all 54 of its nuclear reactors after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Only a dozen reactors have been restarted since then. The national government wants to more than double that figure by 2030, saying it’s essential to meeting energy and climate goals. But hurdles abound. And, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam just acquired a botany book by an author and illustrator named Maria Sibylla Merian, who was accused of exploiting native knowledge of enslaved people without credit. The German artist embarked on a self-funded voyage to Suriname in 1699 as a 52-year-old divorcee driven by relentless curiosity about the lives of insects.
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While the eyes of the world are focused on Israel's invasion of Lebanon and war against Hezbollah, we have the latest from Gaza. It's almost a year since Hamas militants attacked several sites in Israel and the start of the persistent strikes on Gaza. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, and there's increasing concern about humanitarian needs of the people. Also, Taiwan has been hit by heavy rains as Typhoon Krathon hits the island. The storm has shut down the country, and there are reports of casualties. We have the latest from Taiwan. And, hurling is a popular national sport in Ireland. It's played with a ball and sticks that are made from ash trees. But a disease has decimated the numbers of ash trees. Now, there could be an alterative solution — bamboo.
Hunger in Haiti is reaching famine levels. Nearly 6,000 people in Haiti are starving, with nearly half the country's population of more than 11 million people experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse as gang violence smothers life in the capital of Port-au-Prince and beyond. Also, Israel and Iran continue trading threats in the wake of Iran's missile attack. Meanwhile, Israeli forces and members of Hezbollah are battling on the ground in southern Lebanon. Israel announced the death of one soldier. Palestinian officials say 51 people were killed in an Israeli strike there. And, Argentines battle over the future of higher education. Students and teachers are holding a general strike this week to protest massive budget cuts. And Argentine President Javier Milei has vowed to veto a new congressional bill that would fund university budgets over the next year.
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Iran has launched a barrage of missiles at Israel. The attack comes just days after the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the chief of Hezbollah. Israelis are being warned to shelter in place. We have the latest updates on that story. Also, Mexico inaugurates a new president. Claudia Sheinbaum is the first woman to hold the country's highest office. She's promised to carry out the vision of her predecessor, but she also has an opportunity to build a legacy of her own. And, music producer Joe Boyd has worked with a long list of big-name acts: Pink Floyd, R.E.M., and many more. In his new book, he charts the interconnectedness of music, around the world and across generations.
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Israel's attacks in Lebanon escalated over the weekend, beginning with Friday's strike that shook south Beirut, killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Sources say that a ground operation may be imminent. We get the latest on those developments and their implications within the region and beyond. Also, Hurricane Helene has brought massive devastation to the southeastern United States. Part of what people there are struggling with is the fallout from mudslides linked to deforestation. This is something we're seeing more and more, not just with Hurricane Helene but in flooding events worldwide. And, in Sweden, an ancient language that's a remnant of Old Norse sounds nothing like the modern Swedish language. But there's been a grassroots effort to save the language, spoken today by only an estimated 2,500 people. This week marks a milestone in that effort: the publication of the first-ever book of Elfdalian grammar written in English.
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Israel says it struck Hezbollah’s headquarters in a huge explosion that shook the Lebanese capital. We have the latest from Beirut, and reaction from Israel. And in Kenya, the self-proclaimed cult leader of a Christian sect who allegedly told hundreds of followers to starve themselves to death has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. The case raises larger questions about how Kenyan authorities should be regulating religious organizations. Plus, after their farmlands became too salty for crops, thousands of Bangladeshi farmers switched to salt-tolerant agriculture. They now say they could teach the rest of the world a thing or two about it.
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been charged with bribery, fraud and using his position to help Turkey. Also, at least 18 countries around the world have recorded mpox cases, which the WHO has declared a public health emergency of global concern — the epicenter being the Democratic Republic of Congo. And, despite repeatedly clashing over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Armenia and Azerbaijan are still talking in hopes of reaching a peace deal. Plus, two sisters have begun nonprofits in Boston and Port-au-Prince to help Haitian families.
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Climate change appears to be supercharging hurricanes. Meanwhile, storm warning systems in Bangladesh are resulting in fewer casualties. Also, Nitazenes are synthetic opioids 500 times more potent than heroin, and they’re increasingly showing up on the streets of the UK, the Netherlands, Australia and the US. And, more than 100,000 Armenians displaced by an Azerbaijani military operation a year ago are trying to adjust to life away from home in Yerevan, Armenia. Plus, the Revere History Museum in Boston has expanded its collection to include things like Chinese scripts, Cambodian poems, Brazilian soccer memorabilia and Moroccan dolls.
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Israeli air strikes in Lebanon continued on Tuesday. And so did rocket attacks from Hezbollah, aimed at northern Israel. The situation is looking more and more like all-out war. The international community is calling for restraint, but events on the ground appear to be heading in a different direction. Also, President Joe Biden's speech at the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday morning was an attempt to cement his legacy on foreign policy. But what will history say about this president's role in global affairs? And, the Belarus Free Theater was banned by the government in Belarus. But the theater group refuses to quit — even in exile.
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Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon today killed more than 356 people and injured at least 1,200 others, marking a major escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Also, two new studies this week add to existing research that has found microplastics in nearly every organ in the human body. And, Sri Lanka’s new leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, won the presidential election on a Marxist platform, riding a wave of anger against the former president's handling of the island nation's economy. Plus, Kenya’s government is taking steps to curb injuries and deaths from snakebites.
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A new report by Mediazona and the BBC finds that more than 70,000 Russian soldiers have died in the war in Ukraine. Also, Israel and Hezbollah continue to exchange fire as US President Joe Biden calls for comprehensive peace deal. And, a top official of the European Commission discusses regulating Big Tech. Plus, how the song, “We Are the World” changed the life of a musician from Uganda.
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Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah gave a speech in Lebanon acknowledging the deadly attacks this week that caused pagers and walkie-talkies to explode across the country. He called it a "severe blow,” but also promised that Hezbollah will continue attacking Israel until the war in Gaza ends. Also, the US and Chinese militaries are talking to each other again, but can more face time avert a dangerous conflict? And, Mexican drug cartels don’t actually rely on migrants crossing the border illegally to bring fentanyl into the US. Instead they’re recruiting a growing number of high school and college students. Plus, a man who's lived in Maine for over a decade is now hoping he can make a difference by becoming president of Jubaland state in Somalia.
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Recent attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon haven't come in the form of drones or missile strikes. The weapons were already in the targets' hands: their pagers and walkie-talkies. We'll hear how people in Lebanon are feeling and perhaps changing their habits in the aftermath of the coordinated explosion of communication devices. Also, the nations around the globe are nearly evenly split between democracies and autocracies. But the autocracies are home to about 70% of the world’s population. We examine democracy under strain, as dictators consolidate power — and hold onto it. And in Japan, tourists and weather have been blamed for a shortage of rice. But farmers and analysts think something else is going on.
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Across Lebanon and reportedly in Syria, Hezbollah operatives have been gravely injured and killed when their pagers exploded. It bears the hallmarks of a coordinated attack and is a major strike against Hezbollah. Also, deadly flooding is underway in more than one global region, with death tolls rising from catastrophic floods in central Europe, and millions displaced by rising waters in central and western Africa. Also, in Lebanon, hundreds of pagers used by members of Hezbollah exploded simultaneously, resulting in dozens of injuries. And a profile of a Japanese drummer with an unconventional performance style. His antics include playing a snare drum with his teeth.
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More details are emerging about the background of the man allegedly involved in the second attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump. One particular aspect of the would-be shooter's history that stands out: His obsession with Ukraine's fight against Russia. A retired FBI agent talks about that. When wildfires rage in remote places, the challenge isn't just to fight the fires; even finding and reaching the fires in order to put them out can be difficult. In a densely vegetated region of Brazil, drones have started helping out. Also, women, activists, and human rights advocates in Iraq say they are worried about a set of possible changes to family law. The new proposal would give religious authorities more power over marriage, divorce, inheritance and child custody. And the Biden administration has waived human rights conditions on US military aid to Egypt. This comes after three years of partially withholding assistance from Egypt. We're looking into the calculations and reasoning behind that shift.
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South America is seeing a record number of wildfires, and a smoky haze hung in the air in cities like São Paulo this week. The World's Carolyn Beeler reports from western Brazil, where climate change is fueling unprecedented flames in the Pantanal wetlands. Plus, video has emerged of North Korea's Kim Jong-un touring a uranium enrichment facility. Analysts say these images will help experts estimate with more accuracy how much nuclear capability North Korea has achieved. And a new book from Atlas Obscura compiles delightful stories of the living creatures whose behavior ranks right up there with the wonders of the world.
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Authorities in Belarus have granted amnesty to several dozen political detainees in recent weeks. These are opposition figures, part of the movement that protested the reelection in 2020 of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko over his authoritarian domestic policies. We hear from a political adviser to the opposition about the prisoner releases, and the reaction in opposition communities in Belarus and in the diaspora. Also, a severe drought in southern Namibia has led to food shortages. So, the country's Ministry of Environment announced a controversial plan: to cull wildlife in order to feed people in urgent need of sustenance. Plus, an influential pastor in the Philippines was just arrested after a two-week standoff between police and his supporters. And, a bicyclist has broken a world record. Lael Wilcox just became the fastest woman to circumnavigate the globe by bike.
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Mexico's Senate has just approved a controversial judicial reform; the country's judges will now be elected by popular vote. Protesters flooded the Senate floor to voice their objection to the reform. Also, Russia's use of drones supplied by Iran indicates that Russia is coordinating with Tehran significantly more closely than in the past — even the recent past. And, Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam has brought nonstop rain, and the resulting flooding and landslides have killed at least 64 people.
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An Israeli strike on a humanitarian zone in southern Gaza left a giant crater in the ground where Palestinian families had been living in tents. We have an update on the latest news, as well as perspectives on loss of civilian life in Gaza, even in designated safe zones. Also, around a half a million people cross the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama every year in the hopes of reaching the United States. They leave behind untold volumes of waste. And all that pollution is threatening a local ecosystem. Plus, Australia has a plan to ban children from using social media entirely. We look at how that is expected to work and what the new policy aims to achieve.
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Ukrainian civilians, under relentless Russian bombing, are fleeing the key logistics and transit hub of Pokrovsk. A Ukrainian journalist explains why the fall of Pokrovsk might jeopardize Ukrainian control of the entire Donetsk region. Also, a housing shortage in Ireland is ranked the worst globally. We learn why. And, water shortages are driving discontent in Cuba and other Caribbean countries. Plus, a final wrap-up of the Paris Paralympics.
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The Israeli military has conducted intense operations in the occupied West Bank over the past 10 days, launching air and ground attacks, and leaving a trail of destruction. Also, France tries to redefine rape after a man in the south of the country went on trial for drugging his wife and then inviting dozens of men to rape her, over the course of nearly a decade. And, Europe grapples with a rise in xenophobia even though it’s in need of more foreign workers. Also, farmers in Kenya are breeding butterflies for export abroad. Plus, what is the sound of a glacier crying?
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Automakers like Volvo and Volkswagen are making big changes to their business models as demand fluctuates for electric vehicles. Also, the athletics community across East Africa mourns the death of Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who was reportedly killed by her partner. And, a discussion about euthanasia and how and when it’s used around the world. Plus, a collection of 1,984 copies of George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984" hopes to find a permanent home on the Scottish island where Orwell lived.
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A new report finds that Incompetence, dishonesty and greed led to the deaths of 72 people in the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in the UK. It also says the deaths were avoidable and blames several manufacturers and successive British governments. Also, the Pope is on a trip across Southeast Asia. And, the head of Lebanon's central bank has been arrested after more than a year of damning revelations of alleged financial crimes. Plus, a group of people in the Canary Islands is embracing a centuries-old language used to communicate across long distances: whistling.
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Three German states held elections this weekend, with the far-right AfD Party making big gains. Also, both major US presidential candidates say they oppose the proposed takeover of US Steel by Nippon Steel of Japan. But the CEO of US Steel and a majority of the company’s shareholders are in favor of the sale. And, a military partnership between Egypt and Somalia has Ethiopia alarmed. Plus, an online story about a hot new singles scene in a Spanish supermarket chain has exploded into a flirting frenzy in grocery stores across the country.
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For Labor Day, we have a special show with reprisals all focused on the theme of transportation — including getting around on foot. Thor Pedersen, a former UN soldier originally from Denmark, went on a decadelong adventure that took him to every country in the world. He never took an airplane. Also, research shows that flight turbulence has increased as climate change has warmed the planet. One researcher explains that the increase in bumpy flights could be caused by changes in wind speed at high altitudes due to warmer air from carbon emissions. And, lithium is in soaring global demand, because it’s used in electric car batteries. This is good news for the economy of Chile, which meets a third of the world’s lithium needs. Experts say there's a big financial opportunity for the region, but it comes at an environmental cost.
A Palestinian baby in the Gaza Strip contracted polio and is now paralyzed in one leg. It's Gaza's first confirmed case of polio in 25 years. International agencies are scrambling to get an estimated 640,000 young kids in the territory vaccinated, requiring a halt in fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas. And, Kenya is getting a nuclear power plant, but those plans are bumping up against local opposition. Plus, there's a church in Turkey where hundreds of visitors of different faiths come to make a wish on the first of every month.
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Hong Kong used to be famous for its feisty and free press. Today, reporting the news there can land you in prison. Two journalists in the Chinese territory are now facing the possibility of jail time after being convicted of sedition for their work. Also, Thailand has a new prime minister. But less than two weeks into her term, Paetongtarn Shinawatra is already facing a complaint that could end up dissolving her political party. Many Thais are now wondering, what's the point of voting? And, Sudan is facing a national catastrophe. More than half of the country's population of 45 million is in need of urgent food aid. Millions have been displaced. Peace talks so far have failed to end the civil war.
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The Israeli military has carried out extensive raids overnight in several areas of the occupied West Bank. At least nine Palestinians were killed. Also, since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, they've made it more difficult for women and girls to get any kind of formal education. But some bold activists are still taking big risks to run secret schools for girls. And, the sporting world is once again setting its sights on Paris. This time, the 2024 Summer Paralympics kicking off with an opening ceremony along the Champs-Elysees. Plus, for years, local Sherpas and volunteers have been clearing trash from Mount Everest, which is arduous and exhausting and even deadly. Come autumn, Nepal will deploy drones to help carry the load.
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The World Health Organization has declared mpox, formerly Monkey Pox, a global public health emergency. A new strain of the virus has raised concerns due to its rapid transmission. Also, green tea is a major industry in Shizuoka prefecture, on Japan’s Pacific coast. Google “Shizuoka” and you’ll find images of hillsides covered in neat rows of bright-green tea bushes, with Mt. Fuji in the background. But that scenery is changing, with some tea farmers calling it quits and others scrambling to innovate for economic survival. And, a herd of artsy elephants is traveling with a message, as part of an exhibit. These are replicas of real-life elephants made by a community of artisans in southern India.
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The deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti was supposed to quell ongoing violence, but two months in, that effort isn't going as planned. Local media report that gangs not only remain in power, but continue to expand their grip on the country. In the US, command of the English language is integral to finding work and housing, navigating education and health care, and everyday tasks, like getting groceries and using public transportation. But across Massachusetts, at least 20,000 immigrants are waiting to get into English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. And, an urban explorer from Russia was arrested in Albania for visiting some of the country's defunct military sites. Since she can't leave the country, she's started giving unofficial tours of the very sites she was charged with visiting.
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Tens of thousands of court workers across Mexico are on an indefinite strike. It comes in response to a controversial judicial reform law that is advancing through Congress. Also, Cambodia has lost more than a third of its primary forests to private development in the last two decades, but a movement of young activists has challenged the government to improve its environmental record. And, the US has expanded its access to the CBP One app so asylum-seekers can book an appointment as soon as they reach Mexico. Plus, a Canadian TikTok influencer inspires people to try his cucumber recipes, causing a sudden spike in demand for fresh cucumbers in Iceland.
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A labor dispute between two of Canada's largest railroad operators and union has mushroomed into a full lockout of union workers. Also, in Germany’s self-styled beer town of Munich, more people are switching to non-alcoholic beverages. And, a new art exhibit in Denver showcases the work of a Japanese American prisoner incarcerated at a camp in southeastern Colorado during World War II called “Amache.” Plus, scientists report they were able to "hear" low-frequency gravitational waves caused by the motion of massive black holes across the universe.
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Moscow’s mayor has called Kyiv’s overnight assault “one of the largest ever” drone attacks on the Russian capital. It comes as Ukraine continues its incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. Also, a Turkish organization representing the döner industry has applied to the EU to certify döner kebab as a traditional specialty, but German döner makers have vetoed the move, saying it could increase the price. And, Israel wants control over two strategic corridors in Gaza, but Hamas says it will only agree to a deal if all Israeli troops leave the Gaza Strip. Plus, cellist Yo-Yo Ma bridges the Us-China divide.
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US intelligence officials say they’ve confirmed findings made by Google cybersecurity researchers that Iran has tried to hack the Trump and Harris presidential campaigns. Also, Slovakia’s culture minister has fired the directors of the Slovak National Gallery and the country’s most influential theater, which the artistic community says is a crackdown on artistic expression. And, a legal debate on who own the rights to the diaries of Li Rui, once a top Chinese official and a personal secretary to Mao Zedong. Plus, a food blogger in Gaza who makes recipes using the ingredients from food aid packages handed out at refugee camps and anything else he can scrounge up.
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Ukrainian troops continue to push deeper inside Russia’s Kursk region. Also, as the West tries to turn away from lithium supplied by China, European leaders are focused on local lithium deposits, but a plan to mine in Serbia is being met with local anger. And, a look at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the biggest performing arts festival in the world. Plus, Switzerland is holding a contest to find the best way to clear out military munitions that have been dumped into its lakes.
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Indonesia is set to inaugurate Nusantara as its new capital this weekend. It will replace the current capital, Jakarta, which has a population of about 30 million people and is beginning to slowly sink into the sea. Also, two days of ceasefire negotiations over the war in Gaza wrapped up today with the participants planning to reconvene next week in Cairo, Egypt. And, a new study reveals that islands in the Scottish Hebrides may be the only place on Earth to have a detailed record of how the Earth entered into a deep Ice Age hundreds of millions of years ago. Plus, Iranian-Israeli singer Liraz Charhi releases a new song calling on people across the Middle East to talk to each other more.
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Mohammad Shabani's suicide note is analyzed by a handwriting expert and Fariba Nawa gets the results. She follows the ripple effects of the new information, and Mohammad's best friend tries to make sense of what it means.
The World Health Organization has declared the mpox outbreak on the African continent to be “a public health emergency of international concern.” Following the recording of Sweden’s first case of a new variant of mpox, there is a race to get vaccines into the arms of the most vulnerable Africans. Also, highly anticipated negotiations are underway in Qatar to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. And, a Wall Street Journal investigation has found that Ukraine was responsible for the 2022 sabotage of the Nordstream pipelines in the Baltic Sea that was initially blamed by many on Russia. Plus, a 16th-century-old privately owned Turkish bathhouse goes on sale for $2 million.
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The Biden administration is flooding the zone in the Middle East with high-level diplomats ahead of a key meeting on Thursday. Getting a ceasefire for Gaza is the immediate goal. But this is also about bringing down the temperature in a region that's on edge after Israel assassinated two top leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas. Also, the British prime minister has vowed to come down hard on rioters involved in violent far-right protests in the UK last week. Some offenders have already been sentenced to time in prison. But British prisons are already at 99% capacity. And, German authorities issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian national named Volodymyr Z. His last name is protected by Germany privacy law, but he's a suspect in the explosions that destroyed the natural gas pipeline running beneath the Baltic Sea.
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The Ukrainian military has invaded Russia's Kursk region. The incursion has prompted the Russian military to pull some of its troops out of eastern Ukraine to defend itself. Host Marco Werman speaks with Wall Street Journal reporter Yaroslav Trofimov about what's happening on the ground inside of Kursk and how Russian officials and citizens are reacting. Also, the humanitarian situation in Sudan has reached a breaking point. That's especially true in parts of Darfur, which might be experiencing famine, according to the latest report by international experts at the Famine Review Committee. As The World's Halima Gikandi reports, each side of the conflict blames the other for the bleak conditions. And, wrapping up our Olympics coverage: The International Olympic Committee and France tried to minimize the environmental impact of the 2024 Summer Games, foregoing air conditioning, creating a greener Olympics Village — even cleaning up the Seine. But climate change calls the future of the Olympics themselves into question. The World's Gerry Hadden brings us the story.
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Greece is on fire. About half of the country is on red alert, after dozens of fires broke out — including several close to the capital, Athens. A prolonged drought and soaring summer temperatures are making it hard for authorities to contain the blazes. Also, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is threatening to restart production of intermediate range nuclear weapons. This is in response to plans by the US to position long-range missiles in Germany. And, we have a wrap-up on the Olympics in Paris, where the closing ceremony and final events took place on Sunday.
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Russian strikes in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region have killed around a dozen people and injured 37 others. It comes as Ukraine's incursion into Russian territory continues into its fourth day. Also, Japan Meteorological Agency has issued its first-ever advisory warning of the risk of a huge earthquake along the Pacific coast to help focus people on earthquake readiness. And, with tensions high across the Middle East, we talk to people in Israel, Lebanon and Iran as they face the possibility of a full-blown war. Plus, dark skies are getting harder to find, but some places, like in Denmark, are are now trying to protect their dark nighttime skies by fighting light pollution.
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Authorities in Austria have canceled a series of Taylor Swift shows after learning of an alleged ISIS plot to attack the music venues along her much-hyped Eras Tour. Also, after preparing themselves for an evening of violent far-right protests, police in the UK encountered peaceful anti-racism rallies overnight. And, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government. Plus, thousands of bagpipe enthusiasts have gathered for the annual bagpipe festival in a village in Bulgaria.
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Hamas has a new leader, Yahya Sinwar, who is said to be one of the main planners of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Also, US Ambassador Rahm Emmanuel will skip the ceremony in Japan this week that remembers the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, because of a decision by Tokyo to exclude Israel. And, China agrees to crack down on some precursor chemicals used by cartels to make fentanyl. Plus, young musicians from South America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East convene at New York City's Carnegie Hall for World Orchestra Week.
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In Bangladesh, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of the country's interim government after the army stepped in following anti-government protests that pushed a long-serving prime minister out of power. Also, public health officials warn that some diseases are seeing concerning spikes in Gaza. And, a federal judge in the US has ruled that Google has a monopoly on the internet search. Plus, what is the relatively new Olympic event, sport climbing?
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Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule came to an end today after weeks of violent clashes with protesters left more than 300 people dead. Jubilant scenes emerged from the capital, Dhaka, after Hasina resigned and fled the country. Also, it's been five years since India revoked the special status of Kashmir. And, nearly 400 people were arrested in about a dozen cities across the UK over the weekend, after the murder of three young children sparked anti-immigrant riots. Plus, a look at the largest drumming orchestra in the Americas as hundreds of drummers play together in downtown Florianopolis, Brazil.
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A UNICEF official talks about what humanitarian aid workers are doing in Gaza to help Palestinian civilians. Also, Vladimir Putin met released Russian prisoners on a red carpet at the airport on Thursday. We'll hear about Moscow's view of the historic prisoner exchange. And Thailand’s wildlife is fantastically diverse. Its elephants, primates and wild tigers are a source of national pride. But one native species that is not loved is the water monitor. It's a dog-sized creature with snakelike fangs and is widely despised by Thais. But one group of young people wants to convince society to start loving this four-legged creature. Also, our reporters serve up samples of the food and drink people enjoy across the globe, when weather heats up.
Fariba Nawa is threatened by Ihsan Sağlam, the boss of a Turkish family who worked on kidnapping jobs for Iranian intelligence. Now that Fariba is forced into the story, she steers her reporting towards questions of impunity. The investigation into Iran's hunt for dissidents goes to the United Nations, inside a Turkish parliamentary hearing, and to the US State Department to find out if anyone will intervene.
American citizens have been freed from Russia on Thursday in a prisoner exchange, including the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Also, nearly 23 years after the attacks of Sept. 11, the man accused of planning those attacks — along with two accomplices — agreed to plead guilty. Plus, as the incumbent president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, faces accusations of election fraud, the legacy of a former president, Hugo Chávez, looms large over the country, even though he died more than a decade ago.
The Israeli army claimed responsibility for a missile strike that killed a Hezbollah commander in his Beirut apartment. At least three people were killed in that strike and some 70 wounded. Hours later, Hamas' leader-in-exile Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed as they slept in Tehran. Following the assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah figures, there are fears about a wider conflict engulfing the Middle East. Also, some Brazilians along the southern coast of the country are celebrating the "day of the right whale." This is an endangered species of whale that has made a comeback in the region due to conservation efforts by the Brazilian government. And, efforts to make the Seine "swimmable" for this year’s Olympics draw on lessons from successful restoration projects in other parts of the world.
Across Europe, NATO countries are watching Ukraine closely. They're studying how the war is being fought, what tools are being used, and the role that technology is playing on the battlefield. Also, Nicolás Maduro is declaring victory in Venezuela's recent election, but accusations of fraud are widespread. Protesters have hit the streets in Caracas. And, Beiwen Zhang became a pro badminton player at age 13, after leaving her home country of China for Singapore to pursue the sport. She struggled with the pressure to perform, though, and ended up retiring early. But she's back at it, and competing in the Paris Games.
A rocket from Lebanon killed 12 children and teens on a soccer field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on Saturday, drawing international attention to the region and also to the Druze people living there. We look at how the Druze community fits into the fabric of Israel. Also, as the results of Venezuela's presidential elections continue to be contested, with both sides claiming victory, our reporter on the ground in Caracas brings us the latest on how people are feeling amid the uncertainty. And, the number of US students studying in China is way down compared to previous years. The pandemic is part of the reason. But there are other pressures, some of them related to the tense diplomatic relationship between the US and China.
The Olympic Games have begun in Paris, despite a massive sabotage campaign against France’s rail system. Also, Canada's wildfire season is well under way and has already sparked evacuations, destroyed homes and burned forests across national parks. And, two leading Mexican drug lords from the Sinaloa Cartel have been arrested by authorities in the US. Plus, a new study finds that scribes in ancient Egypt suffered from repetitive stress injuries.
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The Sağlam family's kidnapping operation is caught in a police dragnet. The ensuing police investigation reveals an entire network of conspirators behind the Sağlams. When one conspirator is arrested and interrogated, he confesses. Fariba Nawa uses the confession to tell the story of Iran's behind-the-scenes involvement.
Typhoon Gaemi is one of the strongest typhoons to affect the Asia-Pacific region in nearly a decade, and it's sparked massive evacuations in the Philippines, leaving flooding and landslides in its wake. Also, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek talks about his walk through northern India. And, the civilian casualties tracking group Airwars has been gathering incident-by-incident documentation of civilians publicly reported killed in Gaza, and found that the figures reported by the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, since the beginning of the war, have been reliable. Plus, Hong Kong’s government is spending millions on a campaign to get the city’s mojo back.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the US Congress for a fourth time. Also, Japan’s Nanmoku village has the oldest population in the world. And, a new study by scientists find wild sharks off the coast of Brazil that have tested positive for cocaine. Plus, host France wants the organizers of the Olympic Games to stick to the French language.
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Soldiers and police are patrolling the streets of Paris as the city hosts the Summer Olympics. Parts of the city are off-limits, including much of the Seine river, as the “City of Light” goes on maximum alert to protect athletes and fans. Also, the UAE — where protests are banned — sentences 57 Bangladeshi residents to lengthy prison terms for demonstrating in solidarity with people in Bangladesh over job quotas. And, new rules at the US border have some dog owners concerned. Plus, an international group of scientists discovers "dark oxygen" 13,000 feet below the ocean's surface.
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World leaders weigh in after US President Joe Biden announced that he's ending his bid for re-election and put his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Also, a project in Namibia hopes to combine a pesky plant known as the encroacher bush with a mushroom byproduct known as mycelium to help deal with the country's housing crisis. And, Kenya sends its first fencer, Alexandra Ndolo, to the Olympic Games. Plus, BALTHVS brings back the short-lived psychedelic music era in Colombia.
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Earlier on Friday, in the culmination of what the US is calling a sham trial, a Russian court found Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich guilty of espionage. The American journalist has been sentenced to 16 years in prison. We'll dig into the implications of that news, and we'll also hear about the growing number of American journalists being detained in Russia. Also, a drone strike on the city center of Tel Aviv, sent by Yemeni Houthi rebels, killed one person. That's stoking fears of an expansion of Israel's war in Gaza. And, a rare species of crocodile once on the brink of extinction is making a comeback in Cambodia, where locals discovered five nests in May. The newly hatched baby crocs are being seen as a sign of hope.
Rezaie gets into the car with the Sağlams. But he already knew he was being tricked. His suspicions had begun long before he climbed into the car, back at the kebab restaurant when the Sağlams introduced him to an American woman. Fariba Nawa tries to untangle the story of the American woman, and finds out how Rezaie foiled the kidnapping plot against him.
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In Bangladesh, large-scale student protests have taken a violent turn, with clashes between demonstrators and police resulting in bloodshed. We'll have the latest on this developing story. Also, in the east African country of Malawi, members of the LGBTQ community face discrimination in the health care system there. And, in the city of Girona, in northeast Spain, frustration with tourism has turned against an unlikely demographic: people on bicycles. The World's Gerry Hadden pays a visit to find out why.
A Manhattan court finds New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, former head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, guilty of acting on behalf of Egyptian intelligence and steering money and weapons to the country. Also, there's been a spike in COVID-19 this summer. Host Carolyn Beeler explores whether certain aspects of summer life might be contributing to the spread. And for those who love the Trader Joe's "Everything But the Bagel" seasoning blend, beware. It's banned in South Korea. That's because the flavorful ingredient of poppy seeds are classified as a narcotic.
Venezuela’s authoritarian regime has spurred millions of people to leave the country. But they still want the chance to vote out the current president, Nicolás Maduro, in this month's election but are being shut out. Also, a Russian court has convicted the well-known Kremlin critic Masha Gessen for spreading false information. The conviction and sentencing was in absentia, but the decision means the award-winning writer faces eight years in prison if they return to Russia. And, we look at the epic rivalry between two of Europe's best runners, Josh Kerr of the UK and Jakob Ingebritsen of Norway, at the Paris Olympics.
We'll dig into reactions to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump from abroad, and examine how the incident fits into a broader trend of political violence in democracies worldwide. Also, the government of Cyprus declared a “migrant emergency” in April, when more than 2,000 people arrived there by sea in the first three months of 2024. Many of them are Syrians, and now the Cyrpus government has stopped processing their asylum requests. And, our reporters in Spain and Colombia bring us stories of soccer triumph and heartbreak from the weekend, when both the Copa America and Euro Cup tournaments had their final matches.
The US, Canada and Finland announce plans to work together to fend off growing Russian activity in the polar region. Also, the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl on the small islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. And, gangs continue to control much of Port-au-Prince nearly three weeks after Kenyan police arrived in Haiti. Plus, mystic troubadours in India and Bangladesh sing songs that draw from three different faiths.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
The CIA director and a top Biden adviser are in the Middle East this week to meet with Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials. It’s part of the latest efforts to reach a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Also, Panama starts building a barbed wire fence in the Darien jungle between South and Central America to stop migrants from reaching the US. And, African migrant communities in Maine are creating new congregations to fill the gap as US church membership declines. Plus, a look at food from around the world with National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek.
The US is showing decreasing interest in continuing to be Europe's “first responder in perpetuity” when it comes to military defense. Also, aid deliveries into Gaza have decreased by two-thirds since the Israeli military began its operation in Rafah in May, according to the UN. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has urged Palestinians remaining in Gaza City to leave, warning that the city would remain a dangerous combat zone. And, European cities are struggling to manage the number of tourists, with some adding tourist taxes and entry fees. Plus, why do some words sound funny?
As NATO turns 75, some trace the roots antagonism between the alliance and Russia to the 1990s, when the Soviet Union and the West were negotiating the terms of German reunification. Also, reformist Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran's presidential election. And, blind football, one of the most-popular sports of the Paralympic Games. Plus, a look at hilbe, a tasty condiment important to Yemenite Jews that’s considered a folk medicine, a cure all and a source of strength.
France's far-right National Rally party looked poised to win the country's snap parliamentary election called by centrist president Emmanuel Macron in June. But that victory was thwarted by a coalition of center and left parties unifying at the last minute. Also, NATO is at a crossroads as it marks its 75th anniversary. And, around 20% of the National Samsung Electronics Union walked off the job for the first time, protesting for higher pay and better working conditions. Plus, Lebanon remains home to the world's largest Syrian refugee population per capita. Now, Lebanese politicians say they must be sent home.
Britain has a new prime minister. Keir Starmer has moved into 10 Downing Street, after the Labour Party trounced the ruling Tory party in a historic landslide election. Also, another election is playing out in Iran. Voters are taking part in a runoff for the presidency on Friday. The choice is a stark one between a hard-liner and a reformist. But voter apathy is running high. And, Biniam Girmay of Eritrea became the first Black rider to win a stage of the Tour de France.
For The World's Independence Day special, we celebrate with a sort of "mixtape" of reprisals of summer-themed stories from across the globe about everything from music festivals to an old-school beach drink to palm trees in Iraq.
We have the latest on Hurricane Beryl as it hits Jamaica. Also, doping scandals and the invasion of Ukraine have barred Russian athletes from participating in the Olympics. We hear how some will still compete in Paris. Plus, China is doubling the size of its nuclear weapons arsenal, part of its global competition with the US. And chronically late German trains are testing a cultural stereotype and patience.
Israel's military ordered Palestinians in Khan Younis to evacuate, indicating that a new Israeli military offensive there could be imminent. Also, a law passed earlier this year in India created a new pathway for refugees to get citizenship. But the legislation is controversial because it excludes Muslims. Plus, Panama's new president is vowing to stop migration through the treacherous jungle region known as the Darien Gap. This won't be easy. Last year, more than 500,000 people passed through the Darien Gap, which is partly in Colombia. And we hear about "forest bathing," a concept created in Japan as a way for people to get away from work and its stresses by spending time in nature.
As predicted, the French president's election gamble is paying off — for his political rivals. Emmanuel Macron called for early elections and over the weekend, his centrist alliance came in third, while the far-right party of Marine Le Pen won the first round of voting with 33%. What it means for France, and for Europe. Also, he is on his way out as Mexico's president, but Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador still wants to complete a radical reform of the country's judiciary. And celebrations in Brazil called the June Festivals -or Festas Juninas run well into the month of July. These local events are held across the country, with each region doing so in its own different way, at schools, churches and town halls.
Kenya begins its deployment of police to Haiti just as Kenyans are drawing attention to policing issues at home. When this week's demonstrations in Nairobi escalated, police were accused of excessive force in their response, which included widespread use of tear gas, as well as deadly shootings. Plus, Thursday night's US presidential debate drew strong reactions from throughout the globe. We'll hear global perspectives and takeaways on the televised representation of America's presidency and American democracy. And, the Olympics are coming to Paris for the first time in more than a century. We'll take a fun trip back in time, to see how much the Games have changed since then.
There's a convincing explanation for Mohammad Shabani's death, but the evidence is incomplete. While Fariba Nawa waits for a crucial piece of evidence to be analyzed, she tries to find out how far Iran will go to silence dissidents. A Turkish court case exposes an Iranian kidnapping ring and offers an answer. Fariba finds a source to guide her through some of the inner workings of the secret operation.
Many young Iranians say they plan to boycott Friday’s election to replace the late-President Ebrahim Raisi. Also, a look at the political fault lines behind the attempted coup in Bolivia. And, An appeals court in Paris has ruled that an international arrest warrant issued by France against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is valid. Also, who is Keir Starmer, the Labour party leader expected to be the British prime minister. Plus, scientists find new evidence that the painted lady butterfly is making the 2,600-mile trek across the Atlantic from West Africa to South America without stopping.
Kenya’s president concedes to protesters following a week of unprecedented demonstrations against a proposed finance bill. Also, outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been selected as the next secretary-general of NATO. And, WikiLeaks founder Jullian Assange walks out of a courtroom on the US territory of Saipan a free man after pleading guilty to a single charge of publishing US military secrets. Plus, French Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux releases her newest album, “Vida.”
Thousands of people have taken to the streets to reject a finance bill underway in Kenya’s parliament, with some demonstrations turning deadly. Also, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men for compulsory service, effectively putting an end to a longstanding exemption for the group. And, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has reached a plea deal with the US Department of Justice. Plus, Cameroonian singer and guitarist "Irma" pays homage to the King of Pop 15 years after the death of icon Michael Jackson.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
A series of seemingly coordinated attacks on synagogues and Orthodox churches took place in the Russian republic of Dagestan over the weekend, killing at least 20 people, and injuring dozens more. Also, sword duels with real blades have been barred for centuries throughout Europe. But every year — across Germany and Austria — hundreds of male university frat house members still undergo a secretive, violent and bloody sword-fighting ritual, using real sharpened blades. And, more than 1,300 pilgrims perished making the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia this month. The majority of those who died were "unauthorized," meaning they lacked the official “Hajj visa" that the Saudi government requires. Plus, a cafe and performance space for Arabic speakers in Turkey.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
Latvians mark the summer solstice by celebrating the longest day of the year. Also, a new discovery of a rare genetic mutation of one family in Colombia may present an opportunity to learn how the body could naturally resist Alzheimer’s. And, new mothers in different parts of the world find that preparing the traditional foods of their own mothers and grandmothers from their home countries can ease the transition to motherhood. Plus, a look at the intersection of fashion and sports as Paris hosts the Summer Olympic Games.
In the city where the dissident Mohammad Shabani died, Fariba Nawa finds evidence that points towards his cause of death.
Russia and North Korea have sign onto a new partnership, vowing mutual aid if either country is attacked, while South Korea responds by saying it will consider sending weapons to Ukraine. Also, French President Emmanuel Macron joins several African leaders to kick off a planned $1 billion project to accelerate the rollout of vaccines across Africa after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaping inequalities in access to them. And, farmers in northern Israel say the war in Gaza has devastated their businesses. Officials in Margaliot, a tiny agricultural settlement bordering southern Lebanon, want the town to “sever contact with the Israeli government” following what they see as months of abandonment. Plus, a new documentary that takes a look at the Women's World Cup of 1971 in Mexico.
Juneteenth marks a celebratory milestone in the history of emancipation in the US, but the legacy of slavery persists, not just in the US but across the globe. Also, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was just sworn in for his second term in office, despite his party losing a decadeslong majority in a recent parliamentary election. And a new series that will run throughout the summer examines key themes in the tense relationship between the US and China. The first installment of "Face Off" centers on the escalating risk of military encounters over South China Sea.
The annual Muslim pilgrimage known as the Hajj isn't just a spiritual journey; it's physically strenuous, too. Travelers to Mecca and Medina this year have braved dangerous heat. Host Marco Werman speaks with a Muslim American who's there right now, participating in the ritual. Plus, Polish abortion rights activists reflect on 30 years of some of the strictest abortion laws in the region just as those laws appear likely to change. And the Turkish government's latest attempt to deal with stray dogs in cities has sparked anger in local communities. A draft law set to be debated by parliament could require cities to euthanize dogs that are not adopted within 30 days.
A UNICEF representative based in Gaza joins us from inside the territory with insights on what a proposed pause in fighting would — and wouldn't — accomplish on the ground. Plus, in a diplomatic shakeup, China is recalling two of its diplomats to Australia. Not the highest-ranking ones, but probably the most famous: giant pandas at the Adelaide Zoo, are going back to China. And, classic American folk tunes meets beloved ragas from India. The home of country music — the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville — is showcasing the ensemble American Patchwork Quartet.
Pope Francis convened a meeting with an unexpected audience while at the G7: more than 100 comedians from 15 different countries. Also, we air Part 3 of the series “Lethal Dissent,” which looks at the death of an Iranian poet living in Turkey. And, Qatar tries to beat the heat by air conditioning outdoor spaces. Plus, a new project tries to prove that gamers do, in fact, “touch grass.”
The death of poet Mohammad Shabani, an Iranian dissident living in Turkey, catches his friends, family, and supporters by surprise. Fariba finds one of Mohammad Shabani's confidantes and learns new details about his life in exile before he died.
G7 nations agree to give Ukraine a loan of $50 billion for weapons and rebuilding. Also, a growing number of governments in Latin America are aligning themselves with Palestinians and distancing themselves from Israel. But there's a price to pay for cutting ties with Israel. And, Haiti’s new government selected cabinet ministers this week, as it awaits the arrival of a long-delayed Kenyan security force designed to assist its embattled police. Plus, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek takes us through Afghanistan's wild and mountainous Wakhan Corridor.
Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas deteriorate once again. Also, Denmark has ordered a recall of three types of Buldak, which translates as "fire chicken," manufactured in South Korea. The packaged noodles were deemed so hot they could pose a physical danger to Danish consumers. And, in a rare case, a jury in South Florida has ruled that banana giant Chiquita must pay $38.3 million to relatives of people killed by a right-wing paramilitary group in Colombia that received funding from the fruit company. Plus, remembering French chanteuse Françoise Hardy.
Momentum may be building to end the war in Gaza after a UN Security Council vote for a ceasefire. Also, Mexico deals with around 25,000 tons of trash generated by last week’s elections. Now, environmentalists are concerned that improper disposal of plastic waste could cause serious pollution. And, an effort to reintroduce wild horses to the steppe region of Kazakhstan. Plus, scientists detect a sizable drop in a harmful substance that depletes the ozone layer.
A daylight raid on Gaza over the weekend secured the release of four more Israeli hostages, using intense bombardments that killed hundreds of Palestinian civilians. Meanwhile, Benny Gantz, a key member of Israel's war cabinet, has resigned. Also, an exclusive interview with Lebanon’s foreign minister, who says his country cannot afford an all-out war with Israel. And, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a snap election in parliament following EU elections, urging French voters to take a clear stance on the rise of the far-right throughout Europe. Also, three Americans have appeared in a Congolese military court, accused of taking part in a failed coup attempt last month in the DRC. Plus, a visit to an all-fungi restaurant in Mexico City, a place that is rediscovering recipes and methods to cultivate, eat and preserve wild mushrooms.
Daytime temperatures are breaking records in the central and northern regions of India. Now, hospitals are setting up special units to deal with acute heat stress. Also, a look at soaring home rental prices in Spain. And, Palestinian families evacuated to Qatar help their children process trauma and grief from the war in Gaza. Also, Team USA is playing in the T20 Cricket World Cup for the first time, and they're surprising cricket fans around the world with their performance so far. Plus, the Caesar salad turns 100.
When two close friends who work for the Iranian government follow their conscience, it puts them at odds with the regime. Now one of them is dead. To figure out what might have happened, reporter Fariba Nawa goes back to the beginning.
For months, the Israeli military and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been trading drone, missile and rocket attacks across the border. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened a "very intense" military response. The World's Shirin Jaafari is in Beirut. Also, Thursday is the start of voting for the European Parliament. The polls suggest that far-right candidates will do well, and that could have big implications for some of America's most important allies. And New York's governor is hitting the brakes on a plan to implement congestion pricing in New York City. The plan has been in the works for several years. But other non-US cities went down this road a long time ago. We'll hear how it worked out overseas.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
The top diplomat at the United Nations is once again sounding an alarm about the dangers of climate change. Also, in coastal communities around the globe — places such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, Egypt, Italy, Brazil and the southern United States — rising sea water levels threaten to infiltrate freshwater drinking supplies. And, Jerusalem Day marks the "reunification" of Jerusalem in 1967 and the Jews regaining access to the venerated Temple Mount. The day is generally tense as Jews march through the Arab quarter of Jerusalem's old city to commemorate victory in the Six Day War. This year, the holiday is especially fraught because of the war in Gaza. And, 3,000 Palestinian children have suffered at least one amputation in the last eight months, according to UNICEF. That's the largest cohort in recent history. Only a small percentage have been able to be evacuated out of the Gaza Strip.
The US is strongly pushing a three-phase ceasefire deal in the Mideast that would bring back Israeli hostages and lead to a permanent ceasefire with Hamas. But members of the Israeli prime minister's cabinet have threatened to quit if any ceasefire is discussed. And, US Army Major Harrison Mann quit the Defense Intelligence Agency to protest what he calls Washington’s "unqualified" support for Israel, saying it has “enabled” the killing of Palestinian civilians. Also, results in India's national election are in. The incumbent, Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks like the winner, but the opposition also appears stronger. And the city of Vilnius, Lithuania, recently hosted a "Pink Soup Festival," celebrating cold beet soup. It's a staple in Lithuania and other parts of Eastern Europe.
For the first time, Mexico will have a woman president. Claudia Sheinbaum is a 61-year-old scientist, left-wing politician and a former mayor of Mexico City. Also, this week, we'll meet a child survivor of the war in Gaza who was able to travel to Qatar for medical treatment. And welcome to the Offline Club. It's a place in Amsterdam where visitors pay a cover charge to hang out in a social setting that's completely cut off from the digital world — no phones, tablets or laptops allowed.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
Mexico heads to the polls this weekend for its largest-ever election, with more than 20,000 positions up for grabs — including local, state and congressional offices, as well as the office of the president. Also, a range of reactions from European leaders to the news of former President Donald Trump’s hush-money conviction. And, data shows that the number of Canadians heading south to live in the US has jumped 70%. Plus, a conversation with National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek about traversing Uzbekistan as part of his 24,000 mile Out of Eden Walk.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
Reporter Fariba Nawa introduces her investigation into Iranian plots against exiles in Turkey. She tells the story of Iran's history of violence against its citizens at home, and how that violence has grown to cross international borders today. The fate of a dissident in France becomes a blueprint for the questions she seeks to answer.
A volcano in Iceland has erupted for the fifth time in five months, forcing the nearby town of Grindavik to be evacuated. Also, a group of Israelis is trying to push back against another group of right-wing Israelis blocking food aid to Gaza. And, voters in Mexico head to the polls on Sunday. Residents of Tijuana will be watching what the new president does about the environmental problems plaguing their city. Plus, a beloved skate park that was closed down in Philadelphia is getting a second life in Sweden.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
Millions of South Africans are voting in what is being called the most important election since the end of apartheid in 1994. The vote could unseat the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party for the first time. Also, water disputes over the Rio Grande river that forms part of the US-Mexico border. And, the US is loosening some restrictions on businesses in Cuba that will allow some Cuban business owners to open bank accounts in the United States. Also, a new bill may be a boost for mothers of the disappeared in Honduras. Plus, a children’s book explaining the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to kids.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
An Israeli airstrike has sparked international condemnation after dozens of Palestinians were killed near a tent camp for displaced people in Rafah. Also, efforts to rescue victims of a Papua New Guinea landslide are facing extreme challenges. And, Mexico is poised to elect its first female president, but in a country with a history of gender violence and inequality, feminists aren’t declaring victory just yet. Plus, a look at the UK’s annual cheese rolling competition.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
Lethal Dissent is a 9-part series about the price and peril that Iranian dissidents face for speaking out against their government, and the secret operatives who seek to silence them.
It all begins when two friends flee Iran to escape the regime’s crackdown on dissent. But when they arrive in Turkey, one of them dies under unusual circumstances. Fariba Nawa, a reporter in Istanbul, works to unravel the mystery of what happened. In the process, she enters Turkey’s underworld of kidnappers-for-hire and shady government officials, and takes the listener inside an Iranian operation to snatch exiles who stand up to the regime. The stakes: the right to say what you truly believe, and potentially, your life…
A story from The World and On Spec Podcast.
With support from the Pulitzer Center and Zamaneh Media…
First episode drops May 31st wherever you get your podcasts.
This Memorial Day, host Marco Werman and show director April Peavey discover and re-discover The World’s music favorites. That includes a discussion in 2012 with singer Ed Sheeran on his first US tour, a look at the music used to promote the famous Rumble in the Jungle boxing match in 1974 between Muhammad Ali and George Forman, a conversation with twin sisters from Cuba about their diverse vocal influences and the search for a master musician in Pakistan.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
The UN's International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to stop its military offensive in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. It comes as Israel also said it has recovered the bodies of three Israeli hostages from Gaza. Also, a look at the UAE’s support of the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces as the war between the RSF and the Sudanese national army reaches a new critical juncture. And, a new book about architecture that was designed but never built. Plus, a look at why we clap, something that researchers say is universal.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has raised the question of another succession — that of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisi was seen as a strong candidate before his death. Also, Kenya’s president is in the US for a historic state dinner celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations with the United States. It comes as Kenyan police prepare to arrive in Haiti to lead a controversial multinational UN force backed by Washington there. And, the Biden Administration faces an uphill battle in its efforts to close down the detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Plus, a look at the legacy of the Latin Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and accordionist from Colombia, Omar Geles, who has died at the age of 57.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
Spain, Ireland and Norway say they will recognize a Palestinian state on May 28. They will join 139 countries who have already taken the step. Also, a court has ruled that greenhouse gasses are a form of marine pollution, laying out legal obligations for governments. And, the Aral Sea, which spans the borders of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, used to be the fourth largest lake on the planet but changed under Soviet policies. An engineering project turned things around, but the progress is once again on shaky ground. Plus, Jenny Erpenback's novel “Kairos” becomes the first translated German work to win the International Booker Prize.
Investigators in Britain have recently released an explosive report detailing how more than 30,000 UK residents contracted HIV or hepatitis from tainted blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. Survivors of the contamination and their families have welcomed new pledges of compensation. And, security forces rescued 350 hostages from Boko Haram captivity in Nigeria on Monday. The hostages had been held in a forest enclave by the militants before they were rescued. Also, who doesn't have a fond childhood memory that's grown hazy with time, especially because there was never a photo to solidify it in the mind's eye? Well, now a Spanish AI company is creating the image on paper based just on the memory. Plus, South Korea bans a North Korean TikTok sensation.
Iranians woke up on Monday to the news of the death of President Ibraheem Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The officials were traveling in a helicopter when it crashed in a mountainous area in the northwest of the country. And naturalists have discovered that there are many species that are now hard to find in the United States, but healthy populations can be found across the border, and now wall, in Mexico. But tagging these species in Mexico can also be a challenge, in part because of risks from cartel activity. Also, the top prosecutor at the International Criminal Court today announced a request for arrest warrants from top leaders from both Hamas and the Israeli government. Karim Khan said that he has reason to believe that Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, along with the Israeli defense minister, and three top leaders from Hamas all "bear criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Plus, an art portal connecting Dublin to New York City reopens.
France declared a state of emergency in its Pacific Islands territory of New Caledonia. At least three Indigenous Kanak people and two police officers have been killed in violence that began Monday night over a proposed amendment to the French constitution that expands French citizens’ eligibility to vote in the archipelago's local elections. And, the US military says the first aid shipment has arrived in the Gaza Strip via a floating pier off the coast of the territory. Humanitarian aid officials say basic necessities are desperately needed in Gaza. But the pier is also a sign of a failure in US-Israeli cooperation. Also, nearly a week after flash floods caused by heavy rain, devastated villages in northern Afghanistan, survivors are struggling with basic needs like shelter and food. The floods left at least 300 dead and many are still missing. Plus, the Vatican adopts new laws to evaluate supernatural phenomena.
Migrants heading from South America to the United States must cross a treacherous jungle known as the Darien Gap. To prepare for the perils ahead, people embarking on that journey now turn to their phones for crucial information. Enter a new social media influencer: documenting the route, and offering survival do's and don'ts for those who come. Plus, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet again. In their talks, the two leaders condemned the United States, and embraced one another's causes. That includes Chinese support for Russia in the war in Ukraine. And it's been described as the "United Nations of sweat": a spa, in Brooklyn, that brings together wellness and relaxation traditions from around the globe. We'll take you there.
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
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Georgia’s parliament has passed a “foreign agents” bill. Tens of thousands of people have gone out to the streets to protest in the capital city of Tblisi. The bill is modeled after a similar law in Russia. Plus, the Israel-Egypt peace treaty has been a linchpin of stability in the Middle East for the last 45 years. The war in Gaza may be putting that agreement at risk. And, three women from Saudi Arabia are facing political consequences for social media posts. One has fled the country, another is in prison and the third faces a travel ban. And they're sisters. So, what happened to promises of new freedoms for women in the kingdom?
Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
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In Canada, the embers from last year's record-setting fires smoldered under the ground's surface through the cold winter months, never quite going out completely. The fires, known as zombie fires or overwintering fires, have returned. Also, Azerbaijan and Armenia are engaged in peace talks after Azerbaijan’s military seized Nagorno-Karabakh in September, displacing tens of thousands of Armenians. But many Armenians are not happy with the talks. And, the Cannes Film Festival begins on Tuesday, and this year's event lands in France at the same time as the #MeToo movement. France comes late to the movement that brings women's stories of sexual harassment and assault to the forefront.
In Mexico, Mother's Day was a sad reminder for the mothers of more 116,000 people reported missing there. But, in a rare exception, officials managed to find the bodies of three missing foreigners from Australia and the US in less than a week. Plus, athletes have been announced for the refugee team slated to compete in the Summer Olympics in Paris. And you probably saw pictures of the Northern Lights online this past weekend. In fact, the photographs might have surpassed what you saw with the naked eye. We'll find out why.
Pope Francis delivers the official declaration for the Catholic Church's upcoming 2025 Jubilee, a once-in-25-year event for Catholics that goes back to the 14th century. Also, as part of reestablishing ties with Israel, Saudi Arabia wants the US to help it build a civilian nuclear program. And, a look at the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza as Israeli troops position themselves to enter Rafah. Plus, a Somali rapper who went from being an unemployed immigrant to a rap star in the UAE.
Russia marks Victory Day with pomp and circumstance and a chance to show off its power and strength. Also, many Nigerians are calling on the government to bring back fuel subsidies as oil prices rise. And, a discussion about the value of written language after a teacher in the UK finds a stone inscribed with ancient Ogham writing from Ireland. Plus, a new gallery in New York City is holding one of the largest showings of African contemporary art in the world.
The long-awaited torch of the Olympic Games arrives by ship in the southern French port city of Marseille. Also, pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca says its ceasing sales of its COVID-19 vaccines. The company says its vaccine saved millions of lives globally but demand is now low. And, a look at what a pause in shipment of weapons destined from the US to Israel means. Plus, the Luminous Stars centers providing mental health care for orphaned children in Iraq.
A group of Americans who had been stranded in desert camps in northeastern Syria for years arrived back in the US on Tuesday. Also, water supplies in Mexico’s capital are at a historic low because of a combination of low rainfall, rising temperatures and outdated infrastructure. And, the IDF conducted air strikes in Rafah, where 1.4 million people are sheltering, and now controls the main border crossing with Egypt. It came as Hamas offered a counterproposal for a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange. Plus, whale researchers have turned to computer scientists to analyze the clicks made by sperm whales in the Caribbean.
In a statement, Hamas said it would approve the Qatari-Egyptian ceasefire proposal. Israel and the US say they are reviewing the deal. It's not the same one that was under consideration 10 days ago. For the people sheltering in Gaza, in the city of Rafah, we'll bring a ground-level perspective on the fast-changing situation, as well as a window into how civilians are navigating the uncertainty. Plus, the largest election in history is currently underway in India, with nearly a billion people casting ballots. They trek by foot, by boat and even on the backs of elephants. And, a North Korean defector wants visitors to the demilitarized zone to understand what his life in North Korea was like. There are the negatives but also the positives.
The Turkish government announced it would suspend trade with Israel, until a permanent ceasefire is achieved and humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza without interruption. Imports and exports between Turkey and Israel totaled $6.8 billion last year. And, for the first time, researchers observed a wild animal treating a wound with a plant known by humans for its medicinal qualities, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports. Also, lawmakers in the United Kingdom are considering a ban on the sale of smartphones to children under the age of 16. And in France, a hard-hitting study says children should not be allowed to use smartphones until they are 13. Are these bans effective? Plus, Syrian singer Ghaliaa finds her voice in Abu Dhabi. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
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Until recently, Myanmar’s army was widely seen as undefeatable — too big and brutal to take down. An armed uprising started three years ago is now on a roll, capturing vast territory and leaving senior generals "demoralized," according to an army major who defected. And, Georgia’s capital city Tbilisi sits at the ancient crossroads of Asia and Europe, of Islam and Christianity, and it is currently the scene of a political confrontation over a Russia-inspired law that critics fear will stifle media freedom. We hear from National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek, in Tbilisi, about the city’s rich cultural past and its current tensions. Also, Haiti’s newly installed transitional council chose Fritz Bélizaire, a little known former sports minister, as the Caribbean country’s new prime minister earlier this week. But the selection process sparked backlash, and the council reversed its decision. Plus, a Neanderthal woman, discovered. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
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The rallying cry of many pro-Palestinian protestors is “divest from Israel.” University administrators and donors have so far rebuffed that demand. Many investment analysts argue that it's not feasible for universities to alter their portfolios and sell all assets linked to particular countries. And, this week, the Chinese coast guard fired water cannons at two Philippine patrol vessels near a disputed territory in the South China Sea. The US has a mutual defense pact with The Philippines, so this incident draws the US and China into tension with each other. Also, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro said on Tuesday that an inspection in April showed that hundreds of thousands of bullets, thousands of grenades and 37 anti-tank missiles had been stolen from two different military bases. He said an organized network is behind the theft of weapons and is selling them to militant groups within Colombia and overseas. Plus, the rest of the world's Labor Day. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel is offering an "extraordinarily generous" deal and that, "the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and cease-fire is Hamas." But on Tuesday, Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said whether there's a ceasefire or not, the Israeli military will launch a ground offensive into Rafah. And, au pairs come to the US to live with a family and care for the children. They are paid small stipends and work long days, which opens them to abuse. The State Department is considering revamping the program, which would likely make it unaffordable for parents. Also, University of Sydney students set up pro-Palestinian encampments on campus last week, while others in France, Italy and the UK are staging their own forms of protests against Israel's war with Hamas. For now, the demonstrations are small compared to what's happening on US college campuses, but students say they're actions are significant and likely to spread. Plus, the challenge to end plastic pollution. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
More trucks carrying aid are crossing the border into Gaza, and the relief group World Central Kitchen is resuming operations there, four weeks after Israeli soldiers killed seven of the group’s aid workers. Still, the situation in Gaza remains dire. And, Maori poet Tayi Tibble released a new collection of poems, "Rangikura" earlier this month to critical acclaim. Tibble talks with us about her youth, Maori identity, and what it means to connect with Indigenous groups beyond New Zealand. Also, heavy rainfall and flooding in Kenya over the weekend has killed about 100 people so far. Experts say the extreme weather is wreaking havoc across several countries in East Africa. Plus, the struggles of learning Mandarin. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
In the third and final part of our reporting series from Syria, we have the story of a woman who married an American member of ISIS. She shares the story of her life under the brutal extremist group and the challenges she faces now. Also, in Barbados, there's a public outcry over a potential land deal that involves property owned by a member of the British parliament whose family got rich from the labor of enslaved people on the island.And, Toronto is seeing an epidemic of car thefts. A vehicle is being stolen about once every 40 minutes. We'll hear about how people there are trying to protect their cars. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.
At its height, ISIS recruited and trained children to fight for its cause. Some participated in atrocities and appeared in propaganda videos. Others were brought to the so-called caliphate by their parents or they were born there. We hear about one young man from Trinidad who has been stuck there for 5 1/2 years. And, European police have busted a criminal ring that over a period of two years stole rare books by famous Russian authors from libraries across Europe. Europol says it has arrested four Georgian nationals in Georgia and Lithuania who are thought to have collaborated in the plot. Also, global average sea-surface temperatures have set records for more than a year straight. It's incredibly anomalous, and worrying for everything from marine life to hurricane season. Plus, a Venice tourist tax.
Listen to today's Music Heard on Air.
Thousands of people with perceived connections to ISIS remain locked away in detention camps across northeastern Syria. Some of the prisoners are children. We visited several sites in what's been called "Guantanamo on an epic scale." Plus, in Kenya, health care workers at public hospitals are on strike over insufficient pay. The strike has already had an impact, with some public hospitals no longer providing services. And, a look inside the European Union's struggle to keep economically and culturally significant plant species, like olive trees used to make olive oil in Italy, safe from imported pathogens and pests. Also, check out The World's Music Heard on Air playlist on Spotify.
Britain’s Parliament has passed contentious legislation aimed at deterring asylum-seekers from heading to the UK. People arriving via small boats or any other “irregular means” will be deported to Rwanda where their asylum cases will be heard. Also, a new report by the Swiss investigative organization Public Eye says that several popular Nestle products sold in lower-income countries contain added sugar, often at high levels, while the same products, when sold in Switzerland, do not. And, a family in the West Bank village of Burin tells the story of their eldest son who was the victim of recent violence by the Israeli army and settlers against Palestinians. Plus, The Little Shop of Kindness, run by volunteers, offers clothes, toiletries and humanity to migrants in New York City.
Music heard on air
- Ta Nye
- Sal Al Malecon
- Flowing and Bending
- Bbye
The head of military intelligence for Israel, Aharon Haliva, has resigned, saying his directorate failed to alert the military and nation in time to prevent Hamas's Oct. 7 attack. Also, the US House of Representatives passes another spending package worth $61 billion for Ukraine. And, a German bank has frozen the account of Judische Stimme (Jewish Voice). It comes amid a string of confrontations between the German government and Jewish artists and intellectuals who criticize the war in Gaza and Germany’s unwavering support for Israel. Plus, the Chinatown that has no Asian grocery store.
Music heard on air
- Makhafi
- Modul 22
- Gedima
- Shade
Voting has begun in India in what's being called the largest election in recorded history. Nearly 1 billion people are eligible to vote in the election, which will happen over the next six weeks. Also, US and Iranian officials confirm an Israeli attack on the Iranian city of Isfahan, which is home to several key military sites. And, there’s a growing social media campaign to boycott Canada's biggest grocery store chain, Loblaws, as prices rise across the market. Plus, the UN describes the current state of government and society in Haiti as "cataclysmic," with armed gangs seizing control of much of the country.
Qatar has been holding negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at securing the release of Israeli hostages and bringing about a ceasefire in Gaza. But those efforts have so far failed and Qatar is taking heat for its role from politicians in Washington. And, British surgeon Dr. Khaled Dawas completed his second trip to Gaza last week. He tells us about deteriorating health care conditions in the conflict zone. Also, repeated volcanic eruptions on a remote island in the Indonesian archipelago have prompted authorities to issue a tsunami alert and order more than 11,000 people to leave the area. Indonesia sits along the "Ring of Fire" and has 120 active volcanoes. Plus, a walk across the plains of eastern Turkey, historically known as Anatolia.
Music heard on air:
- Shifting Sky
- Albala
- West Vybe
- Yapilacak Kadin
Heavy rains have dumped more than two years worth of precipitation on Dubai and surrounding nations. It’s in an extreme weather event analysts are linking to climate change. More than five inches of rain fell in 24 hours. And a controversial bishop in Australia is the latest victim of a knife attack. It’s the second-highest profile knifing in three days. Also, a new landmark agreement between the Haida Nation and the British Columbia government recognizes Haida title over all of Haida Gwaii, an archipelago of more than 150 islands almost 60 miles off of British Columbia's north coast. This agreement was negotiated, not litigated in the courts. Plus, Emerson the seal is back again.
Music heard on air:
- Trippar
- The Dadra Cycle
- Camino De Nacar
- Bla
- Planet Mars
What is the US' role at this moment in the Middle East, and does the Biden administration hold sway over what comes next? We speak with Retired Admiral John Kirby, who is the spokesman for the National Security Council. Also, Ukraine's leadership has been calling on the US and other partners to replenish its air defense and artillery stocks. Right now, Ukraine is rationing artillery on the front lines, while being outgunned by Russia at a rate of 5 to 1. And, venting when you're angry is often said to be the best way to "get it out." But researchers say that increasing arousal is probably not a good thing. Despite what popular wisdom may suggest, even going for a run is not an effective strategy because it increases arousal levels and ends up being counterproductive. We'll tell what the best way really is.
Music heard on air:
- Sekerleme
- Olutobazzi
- Malungu
- Repetitions
- Chorinho De Gafieira
- Bir Adim Ote
- E40
Iran used hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in an unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend. It's a turning point in the hostility between the two countries, and in the regional conflict in the Middle East. We have the latest on Israel, Iran and the US role in a deepening crisis as well as reaction inside Iran to weekend attacks on Israel. Plus, a kora player from The Gambia defies deep family traditions around the musical instrument by becoming the first woman to play it. And, Indigenous and First Nations fashion designers are getting more opportunities to showcase their work in special fashion week events.
Ten years ago on Friday, the militant group Boko Haram kidnapped over 200 young women from a secondary school in Nigeria. A decade later, we hear how things have turned out for those women and their families. Also, The World's team in Israel has spoken with the parents of an American-Israeli hostage about efforts to keep pressure on their government — and international community — to bring their son and the rest of the hostages home. And, a city in Thailand has too many monkeys. The situation has gotten so chaotic that the people residing in the city are demanding government intervention.
Music heard on air
- Garland Rose
- Malungu
- Sal Al Malecon
The World continues its weeklong series from Israel. According to a new survey, more than 70% of Israelis think Netanyahu should resign now, or as soon as the war in Gaza comes to an end. But there are stark divisions over what should happen next. Also, this year, the US will accept 125,000 refugees, the highest number in decades. That means local aid groups in American cities will be mobilizing to facilitate a smooth landing for new residents as they settle into their new homes. Plus, the movie "Blue Sunshine" tells the story of a transgender schoolteacher living in a small town in India, including her struggles, and perhaps more importantly, her joys. As the film makes its US debut, we'll find out what inspired the director to tell this semi-autobiographical story, and how moviegoers have been responding so far.
Music heard on air
- B’nei Heichala
- Olutobazzi
- Control Per Capita
With polls opening this month in India, farmers are angry with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2021, Modi made a rare concession by repealing farm laws after they were met with massive monthslong protests in Delhi. Now, farmers are returning to the streets. Also, the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza is also being felt by Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territories. One area the impact is being felt is around the critical resource of water. Also, Russia often targets Ukrainian apartment buildings and gathering places. Firefighters are typically the first people to arrive after an attack. We talk to a young Ukrainian firefighter who risks his life to save others. Plus, the founder of the first major Black children’s magazine in the UK is opening a journalism school to increase representation for people of color in the industry.
Music heard on air:
- Trembler
- Con carido y con cuidado
- Sarı Çizmeli Mehmet
- Bad Dog
- Makhafi
We continue our focus on Israel and the Palestinian territories, with a trip to the West Bank. When the war in Gaza finally ends, the Biden White House is looking for “revitalized” leadership from the Palestinian Authority, which has sworn in a new technocratic government. But it’s not generating a lot of excitement from Palestinians, who are feeling deeply pessimistic about what’s happening in the Gaza Strip. Also, Sharren Haskel is a member of Israel's Knesset, or parliament, from the New Hope party. She's a rising star in Israeli politics and sat down with us to talk about the current status of the war with Hamas and the future of Israel. And, with polls opening this month in India, farmers pose a challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2021, Modi made a rare concession by repealing farm laws after they were met with massive, months-long protests in Delhi. Now, farmers are threatening to return to the streets unless they get guaranteed prices for crops.
Hamas' deadly attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7 left an estimated 1,200 people dead and 250 taken as hostages. Most of the world first saw the terrifying videos and images from the Nova music festival. We hear from witnesses who bore the brunt of these attacks and how they feel today. And, Israel is still planning to attack the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which borders Egypt. Nearly half of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been pushed there to take shelter as Israel continues to strike hard against Hamas. Also, a total solar eclipse makes its way across Mexico, the US and Canada on Monday. The city of Mazatlan, on the Pacific coast of Mexico, was the first place in continental North America on the path of totality, and more than half a million people traveled there to see it. Plus, Brazil's Kamilla Cardoso is named "most outstanding player" of NCAA tournament.
The killing of seven international World Central Kitchen staff members in an Israeli strike has brought a firestorm of criticism upon Israel. US President Joe Biden called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel responded by opening up a border crossing with the Gaza Strip. And, engineered quartz is the most popular choice for kitchen counters in many parts of the globe, including the US and Australia, but the tradespeople who cut and polish them are suffering from deadly silicosis. As of July 1, Australia will implement a complete ban on engineered stone. Also, since 2016, more than 500 women in Kenya have died in gender-related killings. While gender-based violence received national attention earlier this year, activists say interest in the issue has died down. Plus, Brazil's Tropicália superstar Caetano Veloso is on tour.
In Israel, the ultra-Orthodox community has been exempt from military service. But Israel's Supreme Court just ruled that yeshivas — Jewish religious seminaries — are being cut off from government funding because they don't send students into the military. And, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek talks about his time in Cyprus, where he found the vestigial border line that divides the island's Greek and Turkish communities. He walked through an abandoned tourist city, a relic of a border war that has never been fully resolved. Also, Spain is where quartz countertops first took off and where hundreds of cases of silicosis from dust inhalation soon developed. Today, modern machines and clearer safety rules are meant to keep workers healthy. But some worry that silica dust still reaches workers' lungs. Plus, 30 years after Rwanda's genocide, questions remain.
Quartz is popular because it looks like marble but is cheaper and needs no maintenance. But the silica dust produced during mining and manufacturing can make it deadly. We hear from Turkish miners about their experiences. And, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocked Taiwan Wednesday morning, with the worst damage located in the east coast city of Hualien. Early reports say that nine people have died, with nearly 1,000 injured and many others still trapped. Also, residents of the city of Raqqa in northern Syria, endured three years of hell between 2014 and 2017, when ISIS captured their city and declared it as the capital of its caliphate. Years after liberation, Raqqa's efforts to rebuild have been slow. Plus, the role of clerics in modern Saudia Arabia.
World Central Kitchen (WCK), one of the few aid groups distributing food in Gaza, has suspended its work there, along with others. The move comes on the heels of an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strike that killed seven WCK workers after they left a warehouse in two armored cars. And, Israel's airstrikes on WCK workers and the Iranian Embassy annex in Syria are drawing criticism from the international community over a potential violation of the rules of war. We hear how the IDF selects its targets and whether its standards over civilian protections may have changed. Also, the three most commonly spoken languages in the world after English are Mandarin, Spanish and Hindi. But a new study shows that two popular chatbots are not always giving correct medical information when they provide answers to questions asked in those languages. Plus, sounds from the Sudan Tapes Archive.
Israeli protesters from various groups have come together to demand elections and the removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. To put pressure on the government, they've set up a tent city in front of the Knesset — Israel's parliament — in Jerusalem. And, Turkey's main opposition party, the CHP, won municipal elections in 35 of the country's 81 provinces Sunday, which included Turkey's largest cities. The results are a blow to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's party, the AKP. Also, a conversation with senior Hamas politician Bassem Naim includes a wide range of issues, such as the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the fate of the Israeli hostages and the future of Gaza. Plus, a special Sudanese beverage for Ramadan.
The World looks at the price of higher education for international students in the United States in this special podcast. American universities make the US the No. 1 choice among students from abroad. But nowhere else is tuition as expensive, leaving many people in debt. Universities depend upon international students’ high tuition fees to balance their books since foreign students can't rely on federal aid. To realize their dreams, some people are starting off by going to community colleges for the first two years. Others are finding creative ways to cut costs elsewhere, like shared living arrangements. Some even work under the table to make ends meet. We also look into students who face visa processing delays even after being accepted to US colleges.
It’s been one year since Russian authorities detained Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter. This week, a closed-door court in Moscow extended his detention by three months. He’s the first US journalist to be apprehended under suspicion of espionage in Russia since the Cold War ended. Also, in Turkey, Ramadan is a chance to enjoy evening concerts, and traditional musicians often book several gigs each week. But nonreligious concerts are few and far between during the holy month, and many secular musicians end up being out of work for a few weeks. Plus, 30 million Indonesian Christians pray to Jesus Christ or "Yesus Kristus," a name the Muslim-dominated government once refused to acknowledge. But after a recent legal decision, Yesus has the government's full official blessing. And the "I Am Not A Typo campaign" is calling on tech giants to correct auto-correct in the name of equality and to better reflect a modern, multicultural UK. Research behind the campaign found that almost 5,500 African, Asian, Scottish and other names were not recognized by computers.
Andrii Shadrin is a 28-year-old Ukrainian corporal who serves in a military unit that repairs and replaces equipment damaged in frontline fighting. Shadrin describes what it’s like to return to the battlefield after an injury, when military equipment and ammunition are in short supply. And, Nuha al-Junaid, a Yemeni woman in exile, has been speaking with people across war-torn Yemen and in the diaspora. Their voices show a diversity of experiences that reveal how life does not stop for war. Also, American officials have said that they had warned the Kremlin of an imminent terrorist threat in the days leading up to the March 22 attack that left more than 130 people dead. This is part of a US policy that requires intelligence-sharing in instances where civilian lives are in danger. Plus, remembering Algerian Jewish pianist Maurice el Medioni, who died at the age of 95.
The container ship The Dali that crashed into the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore had two local pilots navigating the large cargo carrier along the Patapsco River. We hear from a ship captain about the challenges of safely guiding a large container ship. And, the demand for language courses on US college campuses typically has reflected global shifts. But today, students are taking Korean — and it's all attributed to K-pop music and K-movies. Also, Senegal's president has led the country since 2012. But that's set to change now with the presumed victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the opposition candidate in the elections held this week. Plus, what we know about ISIS-K.
After tense negotiations and four previous failures, the UN Security Council passed a resolution this morning calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. For the first time, the US abstained on a Gaza ceasefire vote, rather than using its veto. And, according to Russian officials, the death toll from the Crocus City Hall shooting in Moscow currently stands at 137, with another 180 people injured. While many key questions remain unanswered, the Kremlin is already forming a narrative that will likely have severe political and security implications. Also, a new study in the Aquatic Mammals Journal suggests that a pod of orcas could be one previously uncategorized by researchers. These killer whales have been spotted far out to sea, as opposed to the pods that inhabit Pacific Northwest waters. Plus, a record year for the Barkley Marathons.
The Kremlin says that more than 40 people have died and more than 100 were wounded in a Friday night attack. The motive for the shootings or who may be responsible is not known. And, for more than a decade, Hosam Bahgat has been under criminal investigation for his work with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, a human rights group. The court's investigation concluded this week and the charges against Bahgat were dropped. Also, Mongolia’s nomadic herders are facing a savage dzud winter, after more than 2 million livestock have frozen to death. Scientists say this lethal phenomenon — extreme cold and heavy snow following a summer drought — is occurring more frequently and is linked to climate change. Plus, on World Water Day, we hear how a farm in Iraq was hit by water shortages.
Across Europe, the NATO military alliance is conducting its largest exercises since the Cold War, with tens of thousands of troops from 32 countries. NATO officials and European leaders are adding to the sense of urgency, warning that a direct conflict with Russia is becoming an increasing threat. And, this week, the United Nations said Sudan's civil war is one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory. Fighting between the country's rival military and paramilitary forces has gone on for nearly a year and now humanitarians are warning of a looming hunger crisis. Also, more than three years after overthrowing an elected government, Myanmar’s military troops are under fire as armed revolutionaries fight to topple the unpopular regime. The military is now conscripting civilians — a tactic that Myanmar’s population has long dreaded. Plus, walking to the Holy Land.
The Dominican Republic has stationed 10,000 soldiers on their border with Haiti. Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez says his country’s national security is his top priority and does not support the establishment of a humanitarian corridor. And, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition, the US continues to push Israel to pursue a two-state solution with Palestinians — an independent Palestinian state alongside the Israeli state. What do former negotiators on both sides of the conflict have to say? Also, in Cambodia, the prime minister is hoping a ban on musical truck horns will stop young people from dancing near roadways. Plus, an exhibition on the Amazon of the imagination.
Japan's central bank has raised interest rates for the first time in 17 years. It's a milestone in a long economic recovery and sign of something afoot in the Japanese economy. And, from "Stories From The Stage," Eson Kim tells a tale about how she was held up at gunpoint with her dad in the family's hardware store when she was 12 years old. What happened next forever changed her. Also, all but one of the 100 cities with the world’s worst air pollution last year were in Asia, according to a new report from IQAir. Climate change is playing a pivotal role in bad air quality that is risking the health of billions of people worldwide. Plus, the earliest Japanese inventor of karaoke dies at age 100.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed a landslide victory in the country's elections held over the weekend, which means another 6 years in the Kremlin. According to the Russian election commission, Putin won 87% of the vote, but most Western countries have said that the elections were neither free nor fair. And, US troops are being asked to leave Niger after the government there revoked a security accord with the United States. There are about 1,000 American troops in Niger working to stabilize the West African nation and fight militants operating in the region. Also, the Sunflower Movement in Taiwan was a student-led grassroots movement that, 10 years ago, stopped the rushed passage of a bill that would have tied the island closer to China. It is credited with changing Taiwan's political direction. Plus, 90-year-old jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim heads out on a world tour.
The pandemic has been a global trauma with a silver lining of immense scientific and medical development. Michael Mina, a physician-scientist who spent the pandemic focused on immunology and epidemiology at Harvard University, tells us where the world is now and how prepared we are for the future. And, Russian American director Michael Lockshin began his film adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s classic novel, "Master and Margarita," before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Moscow. Now that it’s finally been released, Russians are crowding theaters to watch the cinematic send-up of state tyranny and it's hitting even closer to home. Also, Since Oct. 7, there has been an increase in violent settler activity across the West Bank, with more 260 Palestinians killed. There are also accusations of an increasingly blurred line between settlers and military forces. Plus, Berlin's techno scene is now on UNESCO's cultural heritage list.
As part of the effort to get more food and water into Gaza, the Jordanian Air Force is conducting air drops into the beleaguered territory. The World's Shirin Jaafari travels along on one of the flights to see what the logistics are like and what the air force thinks about delivering aid. And, French far-right groups say superstar Aya Nakamura is not the right performer for the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics this summer. Also, Russian President Vladimir Putin is looking to secure his fifth term in office; he's been in power as president or prime minister since 1999. Yet, some Russians are still trying to monitor the elections to point out irregularities and falsifications. Plus, Britain expands its definition of extremism.
Across northeastern Syria, makeshift refineries are a major source of income for local residents who have endured more than a decade of conflict. But this critical resource is also making people sick and destroying the environment. And, US and Caribbean officials have reportedly told Haitian leaders they have 24 hours to name a transitional council that will appoint a new Haitian prime minister. US State Department deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, talks about US policy options in Haiti and Gaza. Also, in Germany on Wednesday, a court is weighing whether to remove the far-right party Alternative for Germany's designation as a suspected far-right extremist organization by the country's spy agency, the BfV, or the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Plus, a remembrance of Egyptian musician Zakaria Ibrahim.
Ariel Henry, Haiti’s besieged prime minister, has agreed to resign once a transitional presidential council is installed. We hear how gang violence in the capital has made Port-au-Prince increasingly unsafe. And, the US House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill that would force Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a US ban. Also, Since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank have been barred from working in Israel. Tens of thousands in the West Bank who were doing building or agricultural jobs are out of work, and it's drastically impacting their daily lives and the lives of many shopkeepers as people tighten their belts. Plus, can endangered languages be saved? A new book has the answer.
Cyclists on the Gaza Sunbirds team have always dreamed of competing on the global stage at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. But amid the Israel-Hamas war, the athletes have pivoted to delivering food to community members in need. And, a new study says salmon populations produced in countries such as Norway, the UK and Canada are dying in large numbers. Warming waters and disease are seen as the main culprits for the depletion of farmed salmon. Also, in northwest Nigeria's Kaduna state, gunmen recently stormed into a rural town, rounded up 287 children and kidnapped them to a nearby forest. The circumstances differ from four day ago when Islamist militants kidnapped about 200 women and children elsewhere in Nigeria's rural north. We hear what's behind the most recent kidnapping and what it means for state security. Plus, the sound of "The Society of Snow."
Ten years ago Friday, flight MH370 took off from Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, carrying 239 people headed to Beijing. During the flight, the plane changed course, turning south toward the Indian Ocean. Its transponder was turned off midflight and was never heard from again. But their families never stopped searching. And, celebrated Japanese manga creator, Akira Toriyama, has died at the age of 68 in Japan. He's best known as the creator of the "Dragon Ball Z" series, which was adapted for TV in the 1990s. Also, the International Criminal Court has been using an old resolution from the UN Security Council on the Darfur region in Sudan in 2005, to investigate ongoing atrocities in the current conflict there. US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack confirms that the United States is supporting the ICC investigation. Plus, Saudi Arabia on foot.
On March 8, International Women's Day, voters in Ireland will decide if they want to replace a clause in the constitution that deems a "woman's place is in the home." The Irish government has proposed new wording that recognizes the value of the provision of care in the home "by members of a family." And, military regimes in the West African nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso recently severed ties from the regional alliance known as the Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS. Now, their militaries are uniting in an effort to jointly fight Islamist militants. Also, in part four of a yearlong investigative report on children's homes in Uganda by The World's Halima Gikandi, we hear about the tale of two different homes. Foodstep Uganda operates without approval using funds from many American donors; Ekisa Ministries has a different approach. Plus, would you relocate to a Scottish island for the princely sum of $190,000 a year?
Ukrainian American pastor Alex Zaytsev helped his parishioners evacuate from the strategic town of Avdiivka before it fell to Russian forces last month. They sought safety 40 miles east in Pokrovsk, but he says their new home is no longer safe. And, a United Nations team this week said it found convincing evidence that some hostages taken into Gaza on Oct. 7 were subjected to sexual violence, as well as hostages in captivity. Israelis are preparing for the worst, including the possibility that some of the female hostages may be pregnant. Also, Noah's Ark Children's Ministry Uganda was founded by a Dutch missionary couple 20 years ago. Reporter Halima Gikandi's yearlong investigation into children's homes in Uganda found several allegations of abuse and misconduct going back a decade. Plus, Colin Firth's shirt is sold at auction.
Gangs are taking over Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. Police and the military have been ineffective in stopping the gangs from attacking the country's main airport last night and breaking out of thousands of inmates from prison over the weekend. And, a UN report finds credible the allegations of sexual assault by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, and against hostages held in Gaza. UN Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten went to Israel and the West Bank with a team to examine and gather information about allegations of sexual violence. Also, AidChild is an organization founded by American missionary Nathaniel Dunigan in 2000 to support children with HIV. The World's Halima Gikandi conducted a yearlong investigation on children's orphanages in Uganda and found several allegations of abuse and neglect at the organization, going back a decade. Plus, a satellite to help fight climate change by detecting methane.
According to the Pentagon, since the start of Israel's war in Gaza, there have been about 200 attacks on US forces stationed in Iraq and Syria. These attacks have been carried out by militia groups supported by Iran. And, on Monday, the European Union sent a message to Apple and other tech giants: "We will ensure compliance with our regulations." It followed a massive $2 billion antitrust fine for Apple. Also, research has shown that the vast majority of children in orphanages actually have families. Still, many Americans are giving their money to these institutions. In Uganda, those well-intentioned funds have created a whole industry around orphans. Plus, Mexico's lawsuit against US gunmakers could be a game-changer.
People around the world are mourning the death of Alexei Navalny, Russia’s leading opposition politician. Thousands of people came to his funeral in Moscow on Friday. Navalny died last month while being held in a remote Russian prison in the Arctic Circle. And, a team of scientists sought to find out how violence between rebel groups in Central African Republic has affected the country's mortality rate. They found that it's shaken the foundations of the country. Also, Iran is holding parliamentary elections this week but voter turnout is a major concern to its political leaders. Discontent is rampant in the country following years of protests and a struggling economy. Plus, the godfather of Tuareg desert blues.
US President Joe Biden touched down at one key Texas crossing point on the US-Mexico border today. His rival for the oval office, former President Donald Trump, visited another, showcasing a very different border environment. And, a new survey from the Pew Research Center says that representative democracy remains popular globally, but its appeal is also waning. Also, for the first time, the Cuban government has asked the UN's World Food Program for help providing powdered milk to children under 7 years old amid a crushing economic crisis in Cuba. Plus, the Disney merger with an Indian media giant is all about cricket.
As the Israel-Hamas war continues, food aid reaches northern Gaza for first time in weeks. Israeli hostages' families continue to push for their release. This conflict has stirred up strong emotions in Lod, a mixed Jewish and Arab town in central Israel. And, the northeast African nation of Sudan is rich in natural resources. Various international actors are fueling its civil war there with an eye on the bottom line. Also, thousands of junior doctors in South Korea are striking against a government plan to train more physicians, saying they want better pay and working conditions for themselves. The government says if the doctors don't return to work by Feb. 29, they will face arrest and risk losing their licenses. Plus, the latest Disney animated series depicts a futuristic Lagos.
China's foreign minister has resigned. In recent months, other high level officials have been purged from power in China, including the defense minister and several army generals. But why? Plus, Greenland is imposing a "green tax" on the cruise ship industry. Tourism is important for Greenland's economy. But there are concerns about the impact of the tourist business on the island's environment. And camel racing on the Arabian Peninsula goes back to the 7th century. These days, it's still hugely popular, with robot jockeys and cash prizes. But a new team is taking camel racing back to its roots, with a twist.
Voters in the city of Jerusalem go to the polls this week for municipal elections. The current mayor is expected to win another five-year term. But this is not a typical election, with the war in Gaza now well into its fifth month. Plus, every year the world uses up to 50 billion metric tons of sand, according to a United Nations Environment Program report. This is not sustainable and it's already having a negative environmental impact. And in Dubai, where temperatures regularly rise above 100 degrees, the city has set up destination night beaches. And they are thriving.
The United States has been Ukraine's single biggest provider of military aid. But crucial funding is being held up in Congress. Ukraine is now focusing on drone production in an effort to become more self-reliant. And, as the Israel-Hamas war grinds on, more and more desperate Palestinians are resorting to paying bribes to leave Gaza. Some are crowdsourcing thousands of dollars to pay a network of Egyptian agencies that promise to coordinate their departure. Also, a global scheme to scan as many human irises as possible in exchange for cryptocurrency is setting off alarms in Europe. Privacy advocates say poor people are being preyed upon without knowing what they're signing away. Plus, Out of Eden Walk: Djibouti and the Red Sea.
US President Joe Biden warned Russia in 2021 that it would face “devastating” consequences if opposition leader Alexei Navalny were to die in prison. The White House has vowed it will follow through on that pledge and is expected to announce new Russia sanctions on Friday. And, across Ukraine, many schools have switched to remote learning amid the ongoing war with Russia. In the eastern city of Kharkiv, one school is fully operating underground, within the city's subway system. Also, investors in China are completely abandoning massive property developments across the country. We hear from a reporter sent to explore one abandoned development. Plus, China will return two panda bears to the US.
Alexei Navalny was very much the face of the opposition in Russia. Now that he has died in prison, will the movement he helped build, survive? Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya, who lives in exile, has vowed to carry on his work. And, in Haiti, a judge responsible for investigating the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse has indicted his widow, Martine Moise, along with 50 others, accusing them of "complicity and criminal association." Also, on Tuesday at the United Nations, the United States used its veto power on the Security Council to block a draft resolution for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. This is the third time the US has used its veto to prevent a call for a cessation in the fighting since the war began on Oct. 7. Plus, 200 years of dinosaur science.
As the United States honors Presidents' Day, The World takes a close look at notable presidents and heads of state around the world, from South Africa's Nelson Mandela to Guatemala's Bernardo Arévalo. And, we hear about Honduras' first female president. Also, we learn more about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter, who may be next in line as the country's leader. Plus, an exploration of some of the world's oldest leaders.
Alexei Navalny, Vladimir Putin's biggest political opponent in Russia, has died at the age of 47. Navalny, who decided to return to Russia after being poisoned by Russian intelligence with the nerve agent Novichok, had been serving time in an Arctic prison. And, Egypt is building walls and clearing an area near its border with Gaza in preparation for a possible Israeli offensive in neighboring Gaza. In the past, Egypt had refused to accept any displaced Palestinians from Gaza. But new reports suggest Egypt may take a number of refugees in return for financial or other incentives. Also, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is under fire. In the past week, his allies, the country's president and a former justice minister, were forced to resign over a sex-abuse cover-up scandal. Plus, to combat gangs, Ecuador adopts an iron-fist strategy.
US President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday protecting most Palestinian immigrants in the US from deportation. It comes on the heels of unprecedented US sanctions against Israeli settlers. And, Russia is rapidly making advances to its stockpile of space weaponry, according to the US government. And that's cause for concern in Washington. Also, sexism has long been an issue in the chess world, where women only make up about 10% of licensed players globally, according to the International Chess Federation. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, online chess has been taken more seriously, but it also means that anonymous, sexist comments have increased. Plus, a salute to Black women at Rio's Carnival.
Ukrainian Volodymyr Tsema-Bursov was captured a few months after Russia's full-scale invasion and spent the next 20 months in Russian captivity. He is now back in Ukraine after being released in the biggest prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine since war began. And, Prabowo Subianto, a former army general with links to Indonesia's days under dictatorship, is a favorite for Indonesia's next president. But he will have to work overtime to convince skeptics that he has truly abandoned his autocratic ways. Also, Israel carried out a series of strikes in Lebanon on Wednesday after rockets launched from there killed and injured several people. As Israel and Hezbollah trade tit-for-tat strikes, a new French proposal aims to end the fighting. Plus, why do children struggle with long COVID-19?
French authorities are accusing Russia of orchestrating a campaign to spread disinformation. France's Viginum, a government watchdog, pointed to nearly 200 websites that have been set up to spread Russian disinformation. And, Valentine's Day flowers are big business not just for US florists, but for growers in countries such as Ecuador, Kenya, Colombia and Ethiopia. We hear how the US holiday affects flower production in Latin America. Also, Senegal has been known as a beacon of political stability in West Africa for several decades. But now, the outgoing president is delaying presidential elections, sparking deadly protests. Plus, a story about how daunting it can be to move to a new country.
Egypt and Israel have officially been at peace for the last 40 years, thanks to a treaty President Jimmy Carter brokered at Camp David in 1978. But Egyptian officials are threatening to rip up the agreement because Israel is vowing to send its troops into Rafah, just across the Egyptian border in Gaza. And, Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum was a fast-rising star in the world of marathon runners. But over the weekend, he died in a tragic car accident. Also, there's a growing rift between the families of hostages about whether to push for a ceasefire or continue to fight Hamas. The majority is adamant about a ceasefire, but a small group of families also formed a group opposing negotiations with Hamas. Plus, "doping Olympics" gets its first athlete.
During his two-hour interview with Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin reiterated his beliefs on Russia's claims to Ukraine. He also indicated the release of US journalist Evan Gershkovich might be possible as part of a prisoner exchange. And, record numbers of migrants are showing up at the US southern border, and many are requesting asylum. The system is now overwhelmed, with a backlog of about 3 million asylum applications pending in courts. Also, the premier of Quebec, François Legault, has proposed tuition hikes for students from outside Quebec, in English-speaking regions, who come for an education at venerable English universities like McGill, Concordia and Bishop’s. McGill estimates that the plan will lead to a $94 million shortfall in the school’s budget. Plus, famed Japanese American Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor Seiji Ozawa dies at 88.
The civil war raging in Sudan is a nightmare for children. At least one child is dying from malnutrition every two hours in Sudan’s Zamzam camp. And, a most-serious hurricane is known as a Category 5. But two scientists have proposed the creation of a Category 6 designation, as climate change supercharges extreme weather events. Also, Pakistan's parliamentary elections are being held on Thursday. The vote is seen as hugely significant following the sentencing of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a corruption case that many saw as politically motivated. Plus, "Out of Eden Walk": The first steps.
Israeli authorities are intensifying their military assault on Rafah, now the strip’s most populous city. We hear from a Gaza aid worker with the Norwegian Refugee Council, who has relocated there with his family. And, China is celebrating the Spring Festival, otherwise known as the Lunar New Year. But this time of year can be challenging if you're looking to do business in China. Also, last year, 24 young volleyball players from the town of Famagusta traveled to the Turkish city of Adiyaman for a tournament, and never came back. The owner of the Isias Hotel, which collapsed in the earthquakes on Feb. 6, is facing criminal charges in a landmark case. Plus, a new book explores the "revolutionary lives" of Frantz Fanon.
It has been one year since Turkey and Syria were hit with twin catastrophic earthquakes. An early morning commemoration for earthquake victims turned into a protest in the hardest-hit Turkish province of Hatay, as survivors look back on a year of grief. And, a lot of eyes are on Washington this week as Congress debates immigration reform built into a military aid package to Ukraine and Israel. Also, militia groups in the Middle East are increasingly using drones to hit targets that were once out of reach. They are relying on these cheap, accessible drones instead of weapons. Plus, all about megalodon, the ocean's largest predator.
In the wake of a drone attack in Jordan by a militia in Iraq that killed three US soldiers, the US has conducted airstrikes across the region against armed groups backed by Iran. The US must search for retaliatory tactics that are proportional but prevent further escalation. And, things got dicey in Hong Kong yesterday when Lionel Messi sat out the match against a local team. When Messi was a late scratch from the roster, fans erupted in boos and chanted repeatedly for refunds. Also, huge wildfires are sweeping through central Chile, causing enormous damage, especially near the coastal resort city of Viña del Mar. Chilean officials are investigating claims that the fires were intentionally set. Plus, sound plays a big role in Oscar-nominated films this year.
Israel continues to engage with Hamas militants in Gaza, with the casualty toll mounting. Not enough food and medicine can get through to stave off a famine. And, is a united Ireland on the horizon? Northern Ireland has been without a functioning government for almost two years, but the Democratic Unionist party struck a new deal with the British government that should see the Northern Ireland assembly up and running again. Also, a mobile app designed to make applying for asylum in the US much easier was rife with problems. A year on, however, most of the problems have been fixed. Plus, a poster of Christ in Spain causes Holy Week controversy.
El Salvador has transformed in the past few years from one of the most-violent countries in Latin America to one of the safest. That's largely due to the intense crackdown on gangs by President Nayib Bukele, who is up for reelection this weekend, and expecting a resounding win. And, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are leaving the Economic Community of West African States, known as ECOWAS. All three countries have all experienced military coups in the past few years, and they say the regional trade organization is not helping them fight terrorism. Also, Venezuela and Guyana have been ramping up nationalist propaganda campaigns as a border dispute over the remote Essequibo region, rich in oil and gold, intensifies. Plus, why insects go into the light.
Hopes are dimming for Ukraine's spring push to drive Russia from its territory. Kyiv’s long-awaited counteroffensive has fallen flat and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is reportedly planning to fire his top commander. And, a court in Pakistan ordered former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife to serve long prison terms. It was the second sentence Khan received in two days related to corruption charges. Also, a report by the independent Russian investigative newspaper, The Insider, says a Latvian member of the EU parliament has been working as an agent for the FSB, Russia's intelligence service, for decades. Plus, Turkey's "Sultans of the Net" inspire a generation of girls to play volleyball.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says he is headed to Cairo to discuss a ceasefire proposal that emerged after talks in Paris. Qatar, the US and Egypt are pushing for a halt to hostilities that lasts at least a month. But Hamas is calling for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. And, for nearly 20 years, Canadian Olympians have received as much as $15,000 for earning a gold medal at the Olympics. Canadian Paralympians, though, have never been paid — until now. Also, Canada's government announced this week its intention to delay the expansion of the medically assisted in dying program, known as MAID. It follows a series of hearings about whether those only with a mental illness should be allowed to seek out euthanasia. Plus, ants, lions and zebras!
President Joe Biden said the US will respond to an attack that killed three American service members in Jordan over the weekend. US troops in the Middle East have come under increasing attacks in recent months amid the war in Gaza. And, the sudden resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay earlier this month is sparking debate about authoritarian influences creeping into higher education. Gay is the second Ivy League president to resign following testimony to Congress about antisemitism on campus. Also, journalist Paul Salopek has been walking across the globe for the past 11 years. The journey is part of his "Out Of Eden Walk" project in collaboration with Inside National Geographic. Plus, the 24th annual International Guitar Night begins this month.
The top United Nations court on Friday issued a ruling that stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. But the International Court of Justice at The Hague also ordered Israel to do more to prevent civilian deaths in the Palestinian enclave. Also, NATO kicked off its largest military exercises since the Cold War. It involves all 31 NATO member countries and 90,000 troops. Plus, Australia Day commemorates the day in 1788 when British colonists arrived and raised the Union Jack. And every year, it sparks a public debate about cultural identity, history and what it really means to be Australian.
Cuba is going through its worst economic crisis in decades. Last week, Cuban government officials announced a new package of austerity measures, which include massive hikes for transportation fares, as well as fuel, electricity, and natural gas, and further restrictions on businesses. And, earlier this week, the US Supreme Court allowed border agents to remove razor wire along the US-Mexico border. Local authorities had installed the fencing to curb migration. Also, it's rare to hear people asking to pay more taxes. But earlier this month, more than 250 of the self-proclaimed super-rich signed an open letter calling on world leaders to tax them more. Plus, a liquor store has opened in Saudia Arabia for the first time in 70 years.
Russian state media says that a military plane crashed near Russia's border with Ukraine, killing everyone on board. The Russian Defense Ministry says those killed included 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were on board. Also, South Africa is bringing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, accusing Israel of carrying out genocide in Gaza. Germany announced it would intervene in support of Israel. And in Kenya, a sport called padel, which is a mix between tennis and squash, is all the rage. New courts are being built all over Nairobi.
The Biden administration wants Israelis and Palestinians to get serious about restarting a plan for a two-state solution. The European Union and Arab leaders agree, along many across the international community. But Israel is digging in its heels. And, soon after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin established a group of allied countries to support the besieged nation. Now, for the first time, the Pentagon is out of money for Ukraine. Also, global cocaine production is at historic highs, and cartels are developing new trade routes to get it to market. We hear why much of the rise in cocaine use in Latin America is in Brazil. Plus, the journey of one Venezuelan man to a Colorado town.
This past weekend, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across Germany to protest the far-right Alternative for Germany party, the AFD. Protests erupted after journalists revealed that members met with neo-Nazis to discuss mass deportations, including of citizens. And, two incidents of racial abuse interrupted play in Europe over the weekend. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for “an automatic forfeit for the team whose fans have committed racism," but critics are skeptical. Also, Bologna has become the first major city in Italy to introduce a speed limit for traffic of19 miles per hour in the city. Several other European cities have also lowered their speed limits to curb fatalities, but the restrictions have gotten a lot of backlash. Plus, Haiti's jazz festival flourishes despite security challenges.
Climate change continues to adversely affect the infectious disease situation across the globe. Countries like Zambia, Bangladesh and Sudan are seeing a rise in infectious disease cases as they battle climate change. Cholera and dengue fever are two examples of such diseases. And, on Friday, the South African government said it would continue its attempt to stop the sale of items that once belonged to Nelson Mandela. While his daughter says sales will fund a memorial garden in her father's honor, the government wants to keep the items in South Africa as pieces of national heritage. Also, in1972, 11 members of Israel's Olympic delegation were killed at the Munich Games. What happened there continues to worry Israeli athletes as an Israeli delegation heads to Qatar for the World Aquatics Championships next month. Plus, did the song "We are the World" make the world better?
The US carried out new attacks against the Houthis in Yemen, its fourth in the past few days. The Houthis are supported by Iran, which has also supported various militia groups across the Middle East. We hear from US Deputy Special Envoy for Iran Abram Paley. And, ever since the military threw out Myanmar's democratically elected government in 2021, armed resistance groups have been battling to oust them. In the past few months, small armies of ethnic groups have taken over towns along the Indian and Chinese borders. Also, on Thursday, Pakistan's military carried out attacks inside of Iran, targetting militants. It follows Iran's strikes on militants in Pakistan. Both attacks occurred in Balochistan, an ethnic region shared by the two countries. Plus, the fallout from Britain's post office scandal continues.
China's birthrate has declined for a second year in a row. We hear about the impact of changing attitudes among young Chinese women on the birthrate. And, independence-minded Catalan parties in Spain's ruling coalition have come out swinging in 2024. They're demanding control of borders and immigration for their northeast region, and want to set a date for a controversial second referendum to form their own country. Also, health care professionals are struggling to treat a staggering number of patients in Gaza. Surgeon Nick Maynard recently returned to the UK after leading an emergency medical team there. Plus, women bird guides in Uganda set a global example.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched ballistic missiles at what it called Israeli “spy headquarters” in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region Monday night. Experts say it's another sign that the Israel-Hamas conflict is expanding. And, the Israel Defense Forces have told the families of two hostages held by Hamas that they are gravely concerned about them. That's after Hamas showed a video in which two hostages appeared to be dead. Israelis are getting impatient with the slow progress by their government in negotiating another prisoner exchange. Also, the market is huge for NIL deals allowing student athletes to monetize their names. But international student athletes have been left out of the lucrative deals due to visa laws. Plus, pig poop pollution in Spain.
Today we launch a new format to our show! Carolyn Beeler will begin co-hosting The World along with longtime host Marco Werman at the helm and host Carol Hills — produced by Boston-based GBH and PRX.
Volcanic eruptions are not unusual in Iceland, but they rarely require residents to evacuate their homes. One resident from the village of Grindavik talks about what it’s like to watch lava engulf her town and set homes ablaze. Also, like many cities in the US, Dakar, Senegal, has a street named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Most residents there don't know the street name, but they do know about the man behind it. And, the art of hacking has become stealthier and smarter over the years. Chinese hackers are particularly capable of hiding their code used to infiltrate systems around the world. The "Click Here" podcast reports on how they're able to do this. Plus, Sunday marked 100 days of fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas since Oct. 7. The war continues unabated with little pressure on either side to end the fighting. We discuss the likelihood of a ceasefire and what the next period will bring in Gaza.
Don’t forget to join us tomorrow for a new format to our show! Carolyn Beeler will begin co-hosting The World along with longtime host Marco Werman at the helm and host Carol Hills — produced by Boston-based GBH and PRX.
The night skies flared orange on Thursday night in Yemen as the US and UK made airstrikes on Houthi targets in the country. US President Joe Biden said it was in response to Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. And, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrapped up a trip to three Baltic nations. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia have all provided an outsized portion of their gross domestic product in money and weapons for Ukraine. Also, Sheikh Imam and Ahmed Negm wrote stinging rebukes of Egypt's autocrats in the 1960s and 1970s. Decades later, their music was sung to topple Egypt’s autocratic leaders in 2011. Plus, an ancient city is discovered in the rainforests of Ecuador.
We are excited to announce that The World’s Carolyn Beeler will be co-hosting our daily show along with Marco Werman beginning Jan. 16. 🎙️
Be sure to tune in!
Ecuador’s president has declared his country is in “a state of war” with drug gangs and has given the military extraordinary powers to combat drug traffickers. The move comes after armed men invaded a TV station’s live afternoon newscast and a powerful drug gang leader escaped from prison. And, Ellie Highwood crocheted a "global warming blanket" as a baby gift for climate scientist parents back in 2017. The design has made quite an impact on the climate change activism movement. Also, attacks between US and Iraqi militias backed by Iran have been escalating. Iraqi politicians are becoming more vocal in their demand to kick the US out of the country, but some quietly want the US to stay. Plus, the family size is shrinking.
We are excited to announce that The World’s Carolyn Beeler will be co-hosting our daily show along with Marco Werman beginning Jan. 16. 🎙️
Be sure to tune in!
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the Israeli-occupied West Bank today, to meet with the leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. He's trying to end the Israel-Hamas war and talk about a post-war Gaza. And, the low-lying Chattogram district in Bangladesh is prone to rising sea-levels, extreme flooding and cyclones. Advocates say authorities must do a better job of helping people with disabilities navigate climate emergencies. Also, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched their largest-yet drone and missile attack in the Red Sea on Tuesday. Retired US Admiral James Stavridis said the US should consider retaliation, including a land strike on Houthi infrastructure. Plus, Norway approves exploration for deep-sea mining.
We are excited to announce that The World’s Carolyn Beeler will be co-hosting our daily show along with Marco Werman beginning Jan. 16. 🎙️
Be sure to tune in!
The year 2023 is officially the warmest year on record, by an alarming margin, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Earth was 1.48 degrees Celsius hotter last year compared to pre-industrial levels — dangerously close to the 1.5-degree threshold flagged in the Paris climate deal. And, the war in Ukraine is close to entering its third year. Yaroslav Trofimov, a war correspondent with The Wall Street Journal, has written a new book, "Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence." Also, hearings begin on Thursday at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, where South Africa is accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in its Gaza offensive. Israel has rejected the case as "baseless," but unlike in previous cases at international tribunals, it plans to vigorously defend itself in front of the court. Plus, an immigrant family discovers America in a station wagon.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s five-day Middle East mission is raising questions about the limits of US leverage in the region and how Washington’s agenda is diverging from Israel’s goals. And, since Dec. 20, Nicaraguan police and paramilitary units have detained more than a dozen priests and bishops, as the left-wing authoritarian regime of Daniel Ortega escalates a campaign against the Catholic Church. Also, Hezbollah emerged during Lebanon's civil war with the intention of ending Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon. With Iran's backing, it has become the strongest military force in Lebanon, and one of the strongest militias in the region. Four decades after its founding, some say that it is a state within a state. Plus, Inuit in Denmark embrace their heritage with tattoos.
As US and European officials press Israeli and Palestinian leaders for what's next, many in the West Bank aren't looking to the future at all. Even while they've long derided the current old guard, young Palestinians say there's no future to be had as long as the killing in Gaza goes on. And, in a series of raids in eight Turkish provinces, police detained more than 30 people that Turkey has accused of working for Mossad, Israeli intelligence. Officials claim the suspects were planning to kidnap Palestinians living in Turkey. Also, it's been a turbulent few weeks for Poland's TV and radio channels. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has been following through on his promise to overhaul public media in Poland, and the shake-up is under scrutiny from the right and the left. Plus, this punk musician turns to ranchera.
Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to support The World during our fall fundraising drive. We heard from 688 donors and raised more than $67,000. From all of us at The World — thank you! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O
Many suspected that Israel was behind the attack that killed at least 84 people in southern Iran on Wednesday. But today, ISIS said two of its members detonated the powerful bombs that came on the death anniversary of Iranian commander Qassem Suleimani, who fiercely opposed ISIS. And, pandemic closures made visa processing delays much longer than usual. Now consulates are staffed up again, but substantial delays remain because of large numbers of visa applicants. Also, North Korea has shuttered its diplomatic missions in Hong Kong, Spain, Bangladesh and six other places in recent months, with experts watching for more closures in 2024. Pyongyang vaguely explains this as a reaction to “changing global environments," but signs indicate a dialing back of old-school revenue sources. Plus, this Libyan pop star wants to go global.
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Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to support The World during our fall fundraising drive. We heard from 688 donors and raised more than $67,000. From all of us at The World — thank you! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O
A massive explosion occurred at a commemoration ceremony for slain Iranian military leader, Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Kerman, Iran. The blast killed more than 100 people and injured over 140 others. Soleimani, a highly regarded and feared Iranian commander, was killed in an attack by the US in 2020. And, Lebanon is reacting to the killing of a top Hamas official, Saleh al-Arouri, in its capital on Tuesday. The strike targeted Hamas offices in Beirut as senior members gathered for a meeting. Also, drivers usually didn't have to wait long to cross the border from San Diego to Tijuana. But growth in border towns now means rush hours in both directions. Plus, a teenaged darts phenom reaches the finals.
Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to support The World during our fall fundraising drive. We heard from 688 donors and raised more than $67,000. From all of us at The World — thank you! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O
In an 8 to 7 vote, Israel's highest court on Monday ruled against a law that would limit its powers. Prime Minister Netanyahu's right-wing government had passed the reforms in parliament in an effort to overhaul the country's judicial system. The move was met with months of regular streets protests. And, we remember Peter Magubane, who shot photos in Soweto and across South Africa during apartheid and its unraveling. He eventually became Nelson Mandela's official photographer. Also, Kyiv was again targeted Tuesday morning by Russian missiles. We hear about the civilian toll and Ukraine's response. Plus, a Palestinian American uses music to connect to family.
Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to support The World during our fall fundraising drive. We heard from 688 donors and raised more than $67,000. From all of us at The World — thank you! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O
Hip-hop turned 50 this summer. Its influence has been felt in all corners of the globe. The World traveled the landscape and kicked off its Planet Hip Hop series with H. Samy Alim, professor of anthropology and director of the Hip Hop Initiative at UCLA. We also looked at how young Egyptians have used music to push back against the authorities trying to suppress it. And in India, we examined artists using hip-hop to stand up to one of the world's oldest forms of discrimination: caste. Plus in Myanmar, rappers have been considered the artistic arm of a revolution to bring down the ruling military junta through armed rebellion.
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An official count by Ukraine shows that Russia fired 122 missiles targeting civilian areas and cities across the country in the largest attack since the beginning of the war. Also, Patrice Lumumba was a major figure of post-colonial Africa, becoming the first prime minister of Democratic Republic of Congo when it gained independence from Belgium in 1960 — but he died less than a year later. A new book examines CIA involvement in Lumumba's execution. And, in a normal year, tourists and pilgrims would pack hotels in Jerusalem. But this year, many of the hotels are full of Israelis who have escaped violence in communities near the Gaza Strip and Lebanon borders. Plus, entomologist Samuel Ramsey, one of the leading experts on bees and the parasites that threaten their colonies worldwide, talks about developments in bee research over the past year.
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The Biden administration has announced that it’s sending another military aid package to Ukraine worth $250 million. In Kyiv, Ukrainian officials are looking ahead to the new year and making plans for what the war effort may look like in 2024. Also, as the death toll reaches 21,000, many people in Gaza have left all kinds of final messages – both publicly, and to loved ones — to tell them what they would want to be known for in the event of their death. And, Spain's recent amnesty deal for Catalan separatists has led to political upheaval, with conservatives taking to the streets by the tens of thousands. But the protests ignore the country's long history of amnesty measures and pardons. Plus, Mexico says it wants to see progress in US relations with Cuba and Venezuela.
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Christians make up about 1,000 of the roughly 2 million people in Gaza, but they have deep connections to the land. So far, 2% of the Christian population has been killed during the current Israel-Hamas war, and members of the community worry this could be the end of the Christian presence in Gaza. Also, an English Premier League game was officiated by a Black referee this week for the first time in 15 years and only the second time in the league's history. Plus, during the 20-year US-led war in Afghanistan, there were a number of Afghan female soldiers who fought alongside American troops, with many of them being able to flee after US troops left the country in 2021. And, if you missed it the first time, a conversation with New York Times food writer Yewande Komolafe about her book, "My Everyday Lagos: Nigerian Cooking at Home and in the Diaspora."
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Israel is suspected of being behind the assassination of an Iranian revolutionary guard general in Syria over the weekend. The US also attacked pro-Iran groups in Iraq following an attack on US positions by these same groups. We take a look at Israel's hints at its willingness to regionalize the war between itself and Hamas. Also, after missing for three weeks, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has resurfaced in an Arctic penal colony in Siberia. And, the same wall preventing people from migrating across the US-Mexico border is also impacting wildlife. Plus, musician Zach Condon leads the band, Beirut, but his latest album is a solo project, recorded at an isolated cabin in Hadsel, Norway, near the Arctic Circle.
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Today, we're bringing you a special Christmas edition, with stories from ordinary people about extraordinary experiences. Like one Muslim father's creative Christmas stories, with a Persian touch. Hear personal tales from people all over the world in these pieces from Stories From The Stage on The World.
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The UN Security Council adopted a resolution today calling for more aid to be distributed to residents in Gaza. The US abstained from the vote, after a week of wrangling during which the US Ambassador to the UN crafted language to ensure that the US wouldn't veto the resolution. And, US President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, to discuss the number of migrants at the border. More than 10,000 people have been crossing into the US every day this week. Also, after an outstanding victory this past summer, Bernardo Arévalo is scheduled to be sworn in as the President of Guatemala on Jan. 14. But the country's ruling class is preventing him from taking office. Plus, a look at the writer who published a satirical magazine while hiding in a Dutch home during WWII.
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The Egyptian government is working to broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Also, young people in Britain have been drifting away from organized religion. But one group that's not part of that trend is Muslims. In Part 4 of our weeklong series about youth and faith in the United Kingdom, we'll visit one part of east London where young Muslims make up a huge portion of the community. Plus, Thailand just changed the legal definition of marriage, which will allow same-sex couples there to officially tie the knot. This change has been many years in the making. And, a federal judge in Australia just slapped Airbnb with a $20 million fine for tricking customers into paying higher prices.
The Sudanese state of Al-Jazirah has fallen to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in a matter of days. Some experts are concerned that a destabilizing military force like the RSF might overrun the whole country, with potentially huge effects on regional security. Also, a new documentary highlights the role Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has played from the Oslo Accords all the way up to today's war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. And, after years of debate, the EU has reached an agreement on reforms designed to share the cost of hosting migrants and refugees, and limit the numbers of people coming in to the bloc. Separately, the French Parliament passed a strict immigration reform law. Plus, election candidates in Taiwan are converging on temples to demonstrate their piety to the public.
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In Hong Kong, a high-profile trial will decide the fate of Jimmy Lai. The media mogul is on trial for charges of colluding with foreign forces to endanger Chinese national security, and conspiring with others to put out seditious publications. And, on Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law that allows Texas police to arrest migrants suspected of entering the state illegally. The law, known as SB-4, takes effect in March. Also, there's been renewed efforts at establishing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. A number of countries are working with the two sides to find common ground toward a potential ceasefire and release of hostages. Plus, penguin rescue in South Africa.
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After three hostages were killed by the Israeli army last week, the families of those still in captivity are putting more pressure on the Netanyahu government to get them released. Palestinians say the killings highlight that the Israeli army doesn't follow its own stated rules of engagement. Also, US Steel, once the largest steel company in the world, announced that it's being sold to the Japanese firm Nippon Steel for just over $14 billion. And, the Church of England is adopting a new strategy of evangelicalism to reverse the trends of low church attendance and a growing number of youth saying they don’t identify with any particular religion. Plus, Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who was imprisoned in Russia on a 19-year sentence, could not be reached for court hearings recently. His lawyers have not heard from him since Dec. 6.
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It’s been a bittersweet 24 hours for Ukraine. First, the unexpected news that EU leaders have agreed to start talks to allow Ukraine join the bloc. But hours later came the blow: A funding package for Ukraine worth more than $55 billion had been vetoed by Hungary. And, ever since the brutal attack by Hamas in Israel, the group has been charged with committing acts of sexual violence. But it was just last week, two months after the event, that the UN's Special Representative on Sexual Violence expressed "grave concern" over these reports. Also, a rusting oil tanker with a million barrels of oil was in danger of breaking up when a rescue mission was launched this year by the UN. Veteran diplomat David Gressly is credited with averting a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe in the Red Sea by brokering a deal to replace the endangered vessel. Plus, the sounds of late Malian guitarist Zani Diabaté live on.
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Concerns remain in Egypt around the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip. The crossing has been the main point of entry for aid into the beseiged region as the war between Hamas and Israel continues. And, in Moscow on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a marathon four-hour, end-of-year press conference, featuring questions from journalists and Russian citizens from across the country. What was on his agenda? Also, the Gingerbread City is an annual holiday season display of edible urban designs in London, and for the first time, in New York. Architects in both cities use gingerbread, gumdrops and icing to try out ideas for building sustainable cities. Plus, a debut concert in Rwanda to attract touring musicians in Africa.
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For the first time ever, negotiators at this year's UN climate summit have addressed the leading cause of climate change — fossil fuels. They have reached a historicl deal to transition away from them, but many countries are criticizing the agreement's loopholes and walking away unhappy. And, while most of the 2024 Paris Olympics will take place inside of Paris city limits, the surfing competition will happen nearly 10,000 miles away in Tahiti. Games organizers are planning to build a $5 million aluminum judging tower in the lagoon. Also, the "Click Here" podcast reports that Ukrainian officials are working with the International Criminal Court to collect the data and file cases so those who commit war crimes don't go free. Plus, the original surf sound.
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is back in Washington on Tuesday, making a plea for continued US military aid. Also, Poland is making a political U-turn away from the right-wing government that's been in charge for the last eight years. We'll hear more about Donald Tusk, the new Polish prime minister. And, what the world searched for on Wikipedia and Google over the past year. It turns out, people from different parts of the globe have very different interests.
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In Jordan, there are signs of growing sympathy for Hamas as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza continues. In the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, Christian leaders have decided to tone down Christmas celebrations. Also, the European Union is taking steps to regulate AI technology. And at the International Space Station, new evidence proves that astronaut Frank Rubio did not — after all — eat the first space tomato.
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Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was arrested by Russian authorities about a month ago. We'll hear about the conditions she's dealing with in detention. Also, the new right-wing government in New Zealand wants to pull back on the use of the Maori language. A lot of New Zealanders are not happy about this, and they've been taking to the streets in protest. And, the painkiller drug Nolotil is banned in the US, UK and Ireland, but still being prescribed in Spain. The drug has been linked with the deaths of several dozen British and Irish people.
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As global leaders meet at the UN climate conference this week in Dubai, El Hierro, a tiny island in the Canaries, is halfway to the UN goal of ditching fossil fuels. But finding just the right renewable energy mix is proving tough. And, inside Hamas, the Shura Council is the main consultative body that chooses a leader in their politburo. We learn about Hamas leadership and how their command structure operates. Also, a recent hack of the genetic testing company 23andMe has left millions of people around the world with their personal data available online. Plus, a missionary's ill-fated mission.
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This week, the US announced it was imposing visa travel restrictions on Israeli settlers involved in violence in the occupied West Bank. It's considered a rare punishment of Israelis by the US but comes as settler violence is on the rise. And, most of the Thai farm workers abducted by Hamas have returned home, with nine remaining in captivity. The 23 freed workers are now filtering back to their towns and villages in Thailand's rural upcountry. Also, in Washington, Congress is at a standstill over funding for Ukraine. The Biden administration has been pushing to pass a supplemental funding bill that would include roughly $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. But Republicans have signaled that they will block the funding. Plus, a Spanish theater is fined for barring snacks from outside.
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A former career American diplomat has been charged with serving as a secret agent for communist Cuba. Manuel Rocha is accused of being a Cuban mole inside the US government for decades. And, negotiators at the UN climate summit in Dubai are grappling with whether to call for a phase-out of fossil fuels. Australia, a major fossil fuel producer, is under a lot of pressure from Pacific countries and Western allies to join this pledge. Also, Israel and Hamas continue to battle in the Gaza Strip as the death toll from fighting climbs higher. The focus is now centered around the town of Khan Younis, where civilians have been told to evacuate by the Israel Defense Forces. Plus, the sound of Danish dystopian punk.
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With fighting resuming between Israel and Hamas, disease is spreading among the Gaza civilian population. Potable water is harder to find and southern Gaza is more cramped as people flee airstrikes by Israel's military. And, three commercial ships were hit by missiles launched by the Houthis in Yemen on Sunday. A US Navy destroyer, the USS Carney, came to their defense and shot down three Houthi-operated drones. Also, Russian customs data show that parts that could be used in military hardware are coming into the country through Turkey. The country did not impose sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, but it pledged to not help Russia circumvent them. Plus, a new Bjork song pays homage to her native Iceland's wild fish.
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After a seven-day pause in fighting, during which Hamas and Israel exchanged hostages and prisoners, any chance of extending it has collapsed. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been leaning on Israel to reduce the civilian carnage in their bombing campaign. And, climate change poses an existential threat to Tuvalu, a small island nation in the Pacific. By the end of the century, scientists say it could sink under the rising seas. Also, the US National Park Service announced this week that they plan to remove roughly 200 cats from the Paseo del Morro National Recreational Trail at the San Juan National Historic Site in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Park Service says the cats are an invasive species and could transmit disease. Plus, penguins take thousands of naps every day.
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A US federal indictment alleges that a Sikh activist named Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was the target of a murder-for-hire. The US government says that Nikhil Gupta was the facilitator working with an Indian official who remains unnamed. And, day by day, more Israeli hostages are being released by Hamas. We hear about Israeli public opinion as Israeli hostages are being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza. Also, Henry Kissinger oversaw some of the most consequential foreign policy decisions of the 20th century. Both revered and vilified, he leaves behind a complicated legacy. Plus, a planetary dance around a nearby star.
Israel's military and political leaders say they still plan to eliminate Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the current pause in fighting ends. Hamas — a militant group and political party— has been able to defend its presence in Gaza despite the nearly two-monthslong war with Israel. And, for more than four decades, UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have tried to keep the peace between Israel and Lebanon. Tensions are flaring yet again on the Blue Line that divides the two countries. Also, despite a recent election in Poland, it is unclear exactly which party will rule the country's next government. But humanitarians are concerned that Poland's rough, and possibly illegal, treatment of refugees will stay the same, with little change to the border wall built to prevent more people from coming in through Belarus. Plus, Ed Sheeran has fans around the world.
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Israel and Hamas say the temporary truce in Gaza will continue for another two days in order to facilitate the release of more hostages and prisoners. Also, ahead of COP28, confidence in the global process for addressing climate change is flagging. This year, the president of the climate summit hosted by Dubai is also the head of a national oil company. And a new documentary called "Beyond Utopia" follows a secret operation to move North Korean defectors along a treacherous route, through China and into South Korea.
The ceasefire brokered between Israel and Hamas — that has been extended for another two days — has given Gaza a brief respite from the war. But the flow of aid into the enclave, including water, food and medical supplies, still remains tenuous. Also, South Africa has been one of the few countries to cut diplomatic ties with Israel. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the deaths and destruction in Gaza are tantamount to war crimes and many South African leaders believe Israel's control over the Palestinian territories resembles apartheid. And in the Netherlands, controversial far-right politician Geert Wilders and his party won the Dutch parliamentary election last week in a surprise victory. Plus, a conversation with the feminist activist collective Pussy Riot that's on tour in North America.
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In this special episode focused on the “The Big Fix,” we hear about climate solutions from around the world. Akureyri, Iceland is on the verge of becoming the world’s first town to go carbon neutral. The town of 18,000 residents has some natural advantages, including abundant hydro and geo-thermal energy. And, the Russian invasion of Ukraine sent energy costs surging, European leaders scrambling for alternative suppliers of gas, and redirected flows of Russian oil toward Asia. At the time, more than half of Germany’s gas came from Russia. The war pushed a German government that was behind on renewable energy goals to enact some ambitious new policies. Also, the average size of a small farm in India is less than three acres. That makes small farmers there highly susceptible to the changing weather patterns brought by climate change. Tune in for these stories and more from “The Big Fix."
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On the podcast “Movement," Meklit Hadero interviews musicians with roots around the world about how their histories and personal lives get translated into song. For this special Thanksgiving Day broadcast of The World, we share stories from “Movement," related to family and "found family.”
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After weeks of negotiations, Israel and Hamas have finally agreed on a temporary ceasefire in Gaza that would start on Thursday morning. What will follow is the release of dozens of people taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7. In exchange, Israel will set free a large number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. And, 41 construction workers building a 3-mile highway tunnel under the Himalayas have been trapped for more than a week. We hear about the tunnel collapse and the environmental concerns the construction accident has raised. Also, ahead of the upcoming COP28 climate summit in Dubai, the UN has issued its 2023 Emissions Gap Report — and it's pretty grim. Plus, a crisis at the Latvia-Belarus border.
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As Israel and Hamas inch closer to a cease-fire deal, two peace activists with Standing Together have just returned to the Middle East after a weeklong tour of the US. We hear how the current crisis has upended efforts at Arab-Israeli grassroots collaboration. And, on Tuesday, Ukrainians are marking 10 years since the start of the Maidan revolution. As a result of the uprising, Ukraine’s pro-Russian president fled the country, but at the same time, Russia took advantage of the situation and invaded Ukraine. Also, Germany was once lauded as the European Union's most welcoming country when it came to receiving asylum-seekers and refugees. But that reputation is fast fading as politicians from parties on both the left and the right propose measures to cut back on new arrivals. Plus, the cultural history of eyeliner.
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Over the weekend, officials from Qatar said progress had been made on a potential deal to release some of the nearly 240 hostages Hamas took captive from Israel on Oct. 7. The agreement would reportedly mean that Hamas would set free around 50 women and children and in return, Israel would agree to a temporary ceasefire of several days. And, since the start of the war in Gaza, communication blackouts have become common. Without phones, people can't call for an ambulance or let their families know they are alive. Also, Kenya’s Parliament approved the deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti, to lead a multinational force to help deal with the rise in gang violence. But the same day, the country’s High Court temporarily blocked the deployment amid a legal challenge from opposition politicians. Plus, remembering Rosalynn Carter.
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Aid agencies say that deliveries of basic humanitarian goods into Gaza are practically nonexistent. The United Nations is warning that starvation is an immediate possibility. And, Israel has reportedly cut off the water that it supplied to Gaza via pipeline and has also severely limited the fuel needed to run desalination plants, leaving some 2 million people in the Gaza Strip with little to no water. Also, an estimated 1 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities remain imprisoned in China, four years after the country claimed to have closed a network of "reeducation camps" in the country's far western Xinjiang region. We hear from a survivor who served time in the system, and Uyghur activists who fear a thaw in US-China relations will mean their loved ones are forgotten. Plus, how do horses fly?
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After a historic meeting with President Biden outside San Francisco on Wednesday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said his country was ready to be a partner and friend of the US. We ask if the four-hour summit changed the fundamental dynamic of the superpowers. And, the Israeli air force dropped leaflets on the eastern part of Khan Yunis, the second largest city in the Gaza Strip, warning people to evacuate. Huge numbers of civilians emptied out of the north after similar warnings from the Israeli military. With nowhere to go, Gazan civilians are increasingly cornered in the ongoing war. Also, negotiators are working on a deal to release a large group of hostages taken by Hamas. Even if some or all are freed, it won't change how deeply Israelis have been affected by the events of Oct. 7. Plus, who is Neil the seal?
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The British government's flagship immigration plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda suffered a major setback today. The UK’s Supreme Court ruled that the policy was unlawful and in breach of both British and international laws. And, Israelis are intensely focused on the fate of 230-plus people being held hostage in Gaza. We hear from peace activist Gershon Baskin, who helped negotiate the release of an Israeli soldier from Hamas captivity in 2011. Also, 50 churches, synagogues, mosques and temples in New York City will start housing nearly 1,000 migrant men. The new plan announced by Mayor Eric Adams means the city will pay these places to have beds, showers and dining areas, filling a desperate need to provide shelter as more migrants continue to arrive. Plus, a food writer celebrates the taste of her hometown in Nigeria.
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Fighting in Gaza has zeroed in more and more tightly on Gaza City, as the Israeli military relentlessly pushes against Hamas, cornering it. Israel has repeatedly alleged that Hamas is hiding its fighters beneath hospitals, a charge that the group denies. We hear how Israel plans to bring the fight to a close and what can be done about the large numbers of civilian casualties. And, Ireland is one of the most pro-Palestinian countries in Europe. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has repeatedly called for a humanitarian ceasefire. But in Northern Ireland, the picture is more complicated. Also, the violence in Sudan between the country's military and the Rapid Support Forces continues unabated. The RSF has now taken the majority of the Darfur region and, earlier this month, carried out mass killings. Plus, Napoleon's hat heads to auction this weekend in France.
Over the weekend, Israeli forces carried out attacks in Gaza, targeting the Al-Shifa hospital, one of the main health care centers in the Gaza Strip. Doctors describe a chaotic situation where they are being forced to either leave their patients or stay and face more attacks. Israel claims Hamas runs a command center underneath the hospital. And, the 3,600 residents of Grindavik, a town in southwest Iceland, left their homes Friday night as magma continues flowing beneath the surface of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Also, Taylor Swift fans in Argentina were seen carrying posters saying, "Swifties don't vote for Milei," the far-right libertarian candidate who has proposed radical changes if elected. Plus, Kenya plans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
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The US power to influence Israel is under scrutiny as the war in Gaza rages on. We put hard questions to one of the State Department's top spokespeople. We look at calls for a ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis for Palestinians and the future of Gaza. Also, Coca-Cola figures prominently in a lawsuit in Southeast Asia where Cambodian farmers were displaced to make way for sugar plantations. And electronic beats with a Confucian influence — music from the South Korean duo Haepaary.
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Israel announced on Thursday that it would allow for a daily "humitarian pause" that would enable trapped residents of Gaza City to leave. Thousands continue to stream out of Gaza heading further south in the Gaza Strip. And, Palestinian journalist and former New York Times correspondent Taghreed El-Khodary is deeply worried about friends and relatives now dispersed throughout Gaza. From 2001 to 2009, Khodary was one of the few Western media voices on the ground in Gaza. Also, since October, more than 8,000 people, mainly Africans, have come to the shores on Spain's Canary Islands, off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean. The tiny island of El Hierro alone has received over 6,000 migrants. Plus, a "seismic swarm" closes a spa in Iceland.
Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, an estimated 5,000 Israeli families have fled to Cyprus, where they've been welcomed by an established Jewish community. Meanwhile, only hundreds of foreign passport holders and injured Palestinians have been permitted to leave the blockaded Gaza strip through its border with Egypt. And, US Surgeon-General Vivek Murthy has called loneliness a public health crisis. We hear about the health effects of loneliness and what initiatives around the globe seem to be helping people actually connect. Also, since the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has been bombing unique Ukrainian cultural sites. Preservationists are using special techniques to preserve the country's heritage — on their phones. Plus, the panda diplomats' sad farewell.
One month ago today, Hamas carried out a surprise attack in southern Israel. Oct. 7 ended up being the deadliest day in history for Jews since the Holocaust. And, since current war between Hamas and Israel started, Palestinian journalists in Gaza have been both reporters and victims. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 37 Palestinian journalists have been killed. Also, Russian American journalist Julia Ioffe has produced a new podcast about Vladimir Putin’s origin story, "About a Boy." We hear how Putin's hard-scrabble childhood — and the rough justice of the neighborhood playground — taught him lessons that shape his thinking and actions to this day. Plus, the king's speech is not written by the king.
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Thousands of Israelis took to the streets this weekend, with many gathering in a wealthy section of Jerusalem outside the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We hear about how calls for Netanyahu’s resignation might impact the course of the war with Gaza. And, Spain’s socialists seem to be ready to form a coalition government after inconclusive elections in July. But to do so, they’ve had to promise to grant amnesty to fugitive Catalan separatists for their attempt to break away from Spain in 2017. Also, Boeing, the Portland International Airport, and some of the cheapest electricity in America all depend on harnessing the power of the Columbia River. That river is once again the focus of negotiations as Canada and the US work to revamp the treaty that governs how Canada manages the dams on its portion of it. Plus, a significant move for Australia's new LGBTQ museum.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave a speech in Israel, standing at the podium alone, reminding the world that the US believes a two-state solution is the only way out of a conflict whose devastation has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. All this amid the threat that the war could expand to involve Hezbollah, potentially pull in Iran, and possibly even the US. And, the leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah spoke about the Israel-Gaza war on Friday for the first time since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel. Hassan Nasrallah's televised speech was long awaited by people throughout the region. Also, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has temporarily militarized security at some of the country's most-important ports and airports as he seeks to tame rising crime. Plus, climate comedy in translation.
Police in London report that antisemitic attacks increased by more than 1,350% in the first two weeks of October. The country's small but close-knit Jewish community is saying the British government isn't doing enough to protect them. And, some South American governments have protested Israel's actions in Gaza. A few have cut ties entirely or recalled their ambassadors in Tel Aviv. Also, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been the scene of intense hope, anxiety and frustration this week. Several hundred people have been allowed to get through the border, including aid workers. Plus, the Beatles get by with a little help from AI.
The Rafah crossing gates swung open for individuals today for the first time since the Israel-Gaza war began. Hundreds of foreign nationals and wounded civilians streamed through, but the majority of the estimated 400 US citizens in Gaza weren’t permitted to exit. And, the Palestinian Authority used to control Gaza but was largely squeezed out after Hamas took over. They still run the much-larger Palestinian territory, the West Bank, but do they have any power to speak or act on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza now? Also, top AI experts and representatives from major countries with ambitions in developing artificial intelligence are meeting at a country estate in England. Plus, the German president apologizes for colonial rule in Tanzania.
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On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalia Refugee Camp in Gaza City killed at least 100 people. Israel says it's in Gaza to root out Hamas fighters from underground tunnels. We hear about the international laws of warfare in this conflict. And, South African runner Caster Semenya won her first Olympic gold medal in 2009. But claims that her naturally high levels of testosterone should disqualify her marred her career. Her new memoir, "The Race to Be Myself," comes out on Tuesday. Also, King Charles is in Kenya on a four-day official visit, where he is expected to acknowledge abuses perpetrated by British authorities during the colonial era. Plus, trick or treat, mate! Halloween is catching on down under.
The offensive Israel launched in Gaza over the past few days is unfolding very differently than many expected, according to Shashank Yoshi, a defense editor at The Economist. Israel seems to have begun an incremental, gradual invasion that is likely to be sustained — and catastrophic — for the civilians who remain in northern Gaza. And, hundreds of angry men broke past barricades and entered the airport in Dagestan, a Muslim-majority republic in southern Russia. They were searching for Israelis and Jewish people arriving from Tel Aviv, but found none. Also, in Latvia, an organization called the Children’s Hospital Foundation has been hosting groups of Ukrainian children and their families for 10 days of fun, therapy and respite away from the war. Plus, Aga Khan Master Musicians offer zigzagging musical journeys on their new album.
The US military carried out airstrikes in Syria against Iranian proxy militias on Thursday night. The strikes targeted weapons and ammunition storage areas that were connected to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. And, civilians have mobilized for war across Israel. We hear from a 45-year-old Israeli tax attorney who got word two weeks ago that his reserve unit was being called up. Also, in recent weeks, there's been a significant increase in the number of charter flights operating between Haiti and Nicaragua, which are believed to be carrying Haitian migrants. Some experts say the Nicaraguan government is taking capitalizing on the situation. Plus, this Spanish musician emerges from a flamenco tradition with her latest album.
The war in Ukraine continues to rage as the world's attention lies elsewhere in the Middle East. Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces has escalated significantly in and around the town of Avdiivka since Oct. 10. And, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to touch down in DC on Thursday. He wants the US to ease restrictions on technology exports to China and reduce support for Taiwan, while the US is seeking Chinese cooperation in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Also, many women saw no future for themselves in Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. So, when offered a chance to leave, many took it. For some, their temporary status in the US is a constant shadow. Plus, how this Cambodian American singer found her voice.
UN aid operations in Gaza are in jeopardy more than two weeks after Israel banned fuel shipments into the territory. The UN agency that provides aid to civilians says it must halt operations on Wednesday night if no new fuel is delivered. And, as the fighting intensifies in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas, the West Bank is simultaneously seeing an escalation of violence. Israel carried out an airstrike on Jenin in the northern West Bank, targeting what it said was militant activity around a mosque. Also, Jamaica's women's national soccer team exceeded expectations at the World Cup this past summer. Players hoped for more respect from their country's national soccer federation, but the team says they haven't seen any improvements. And, Richard Roundtree, actor who played "Shaft," dies at 81.
Israeli hostages released on Monday reported being transported through Gaza's underground tunnels. Experts say many of Israel's hostages could be located somewhere along Gaza's vast tunnel network. Hamas has a long history of using tunnels to move in and out of the Gaza Strip. And, Hezbollah emerged during Lebanon's civil war with the intention of ending Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon. With the backing of Iran, it has become the strongest military force in Lebanon, and one of the strongest militias in the region. Also, gunmen ambushed at least a dozen police officers and a local security supervisor on Monday in a coastal town near Acapulco, once a jewel of Mexico's tourism industry. Plus, Iceland strikes for women's equality.
Qatar played the delicate role of negotiator this weekend in the release of two US hostages held by Hamas. But an estimated 200 hostages remain in captivity. Now, many in the region are looking to the tiny, energy-rich Gulf state to reach out to Hamas and press for more releases. And, the first round of elections shows voters' reluctance in Argentina to easily hand the presidency to a far-right libertarian candidate who has promised drastic changes for the country. Also, Ukraine's fight against the Russians is being called the first-ever drone war, as it carries out reconnaissance missions and launches strikes using drones. But it's not Ukraine's military that is building the drones, but small-scale entrepreneurs. Plus, the world's oldest dog dies at the age of 31.
For nearly two weeks, food and medical supplies have not been allowed into Gaza, which is being bombed by Israel. Aid trucks are poised to cross over the Rafah border crossing in Egypt to Gaza to provide humanitarian aid to the millions of Palestinians trapped. And, Israel has confirmed more than 200 Israelis are currently being held hostage in Gaza. There is pressure on Israel's government to work to secure their release from Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. Also, Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva has been detained in Russia. She works for the US-funded news service, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Russian officials are accusing her of "failing to register as a foreign agent." Plus, Sydney Opera House turns 50.
The Biden administration has made commitments to both Ukraine and Israel to provide stepped up military support. We hear what the US is delivering to both governments, who determines which country gets which armaments and what the foreign policy implications are for a president who came into office promising to end US involvement in “forever wars.” And, misinformation and online hatred is playing a role in the war between Hamas and Israel. There's been an increasing number of fake images as well as hate speech directed at Muslims and Jews on social platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter. Also, in Greenland, a small autonomous vehicle is gathering data that's helping scientists figure out what happens when fresh water from icebergs melts into the ocean. Plus, a giant tortoise is looking for a forever home.
United States President Joe Biden touched down in Tel Aviv on Wednesday to find a nation awash in grief and anger. He pledged staunch support for the US ally and seemed to win a pledge from Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Yet, division and uncertainty within Israel complicates Biden’s visit. And, Argentines will elect a new president this weekend, with polls showing a lead for far-right libertarian candidate Javier Milei. The former Rolling Stones cover band singer turned economist, TV pundit and politician is proposing radical changes in Argentina. Also, microfinance was hailed as a way to change the lives of hundreds of millions of people without access to credit. But with banks involved, borrowers in Cambodia are now drowning in debt and being forced off their land. Plus, the Oxford English Dictionary was the first Wikipedia.
Under continuous Israeli bombardment, Gaza is reeling from 3,000 dead and thousands injured. Badly hurt Gazans are rushing to hospitals that are running on scant fuel supplies. On Tuesday, a hospital was struck by a bomb, leading to hundreds of casualties and deepening the crisis. And, before Oct. 7, Israeli authorities played a key role in ensuring Gaza’s infrastructure functioned and residents had access to some food, water, power and medical supplies. Israel’s enforcement of a strict blockade has dire consequences for Gaza’s civilians. Also, in Ecuador, political outsider Daniel Noboa is faced with the Herculean task of reducing a terrifying, drug-driven crime problem within a shortened 18 months in office. Plus, a solar-powered vehicle completes an off-road test drive.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been shuttling back and forth to Arab capitals, hoping to win support for Israel’s massive offensive in Gaza. But key regional leaders, including Egypt’s Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aren’t on board with Israel’s plans. Also, millions of Palestinian refugees live in the countries that border Israel, including about 500,000 in Lebanon. We hear from Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, where Palestinians are closely watching what's happening in Gaza. And, over the weekend, Australians went to the polls to vote in a referendum to recognize First Nations people in the constitution through an advisory body called the "Voice to Parliament." It was crushed by wide margins. Plus, a cricket World Cup stunner.
Israel continues to bombard the Gaza Strip following Palestinian militant group Hamas' deadly attack on southern Israel. And, this Sunday, the Polish public will decide if the ruling party deserves a third term in office. Polls predict it will be a tightly fought contest between the ruling Law and Justice party and the main opposition coalition led by Donald Tusk. Also, Xbox maker Microsoft closed its $69 billion deal for Activision Blizzard on Friday, building up muscle in the video-gaming market with best-selling titles including "Call of Duty" to better compete with industry leader Sony. Plus, cricket fans gear up for the most-anticipated match of the World Cup.
Egypt is worried that the war between Hamas and Israel could spill over into its territory. The only border crossing between Gaza and Egypt came under Israeli attack this week, prompting Egyptian officials to close it. And, Israel's response to the deadly attack by Hamas over the weekend is already underway. But as hundreds of thousands of Israeli troops gather on the border of the Gaza Strip, they're facing a new challenge as more than a hundred Israeli hostages are being held inside Gaza by Hamas. And, Argentinians are headed to the polls on Oct. 22 while the country grapples with a triple-digit inflation rate. The frontrunner candidate for president, Javier Milei, is a radical libertarian with a plan to dissolve Argentina's Central Bank and adopt the US dollar as legal tender. Plus, this Venezuelan opposition leader on upcoming elections.
As Israel wages war against Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and centrist opposition leader Benny Gantz formed a war cabinet after joining forces in an emergency unity government. Israeli troops are massing at the border with Gaza while Israeli air strikes continue. And grisly details are emerging about the killing of Israeli citizens in their homes in southern Israel by Hamas militants. Also, the US has decided that the power grab by the military in Niger is indeed a military coup d'etat. It's a definition with outsize implications for Niger. The US will now suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance to Niger, including counterterrorism assistance. This comes at a time when various armed Islamic fundamentalist groups with ideological ties to ISIS roam unpoliced stretches of desert in the Sahel, attacking Nigerien troops and towns. Plus, Costa Rica courts evangelicals.
People in southern Israel are in crisis mode, still taking stock after an invasion by Hamas, and steeling themselves for violent days ahead. And, a Gaza resident and journalist describes a city of flattened neighborhoods, where doctors are treating patients on the floor following Israeli airstrikes. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has vowed full support for Israel. Also, residents of the western city of Herat in Afghanistan are grappling with the aftermath of a 6.3-magnitude earthquake. Plus, a symphony in New Zealand composed solely for chickens.
As Hamas militants carry out an unprecedented attack on Israel and fighting continues for a third day, we will bring you the latest from both sides of the conflict by The World's Durrie Bouscaren. Plus, we devote the rest of the show to Indigenous People's Day with a special that celebrates and explores the history and culture of native peoples around the globe.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee gave the peace prize to Narges Mohammadi, a long-time activist in Iran and a leading voice in the women-led freedom movement. And, a study in South Africa has found that humans cause more fear in wild mammals than the sound of lions. The study profoundly changes our understanding of fear in the wild. Also, Britain's policing minister caused a ruckus earlier this week when he urged shoppers to make a citizen's arrest if they observe someone stealing. Shop thefts have more than doubled in the past three years, costing retailers more than $1 billion a year. Plus, America’s National Football League heads to England.
On Wednesday, the Biden administration waived 26 laws to build a section of the border wall in southern Texas along the Rio Grande river pointing to "high illegal entry." It marks a major shift away from President Joe Biden's initial calls to halt the border wall from being completed. And, in recent weeks, there have been reports of Russia withdrawing much of its Black Sea fleet from their main base in Crimea after repeated attacks by Ukraine. It is being interpreted as a victory at sea for Ukraine in a war that's dragged on with little progress on land. Also, the 2023 Nobel Prize in literature goes to playwright and novelist Jon Fosse, of Norway, cited by the judges "for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable." Plus, Habibi Music Festival, from Marrakech to Baghdad.
Pakistan announced on Tuesday that all migrants who are in the country illegally must depart by the end of October. The order is seen as targeting the 1.7 million Afghans living in Pakistan. And, Barça, one of the most-victorious soccer teams over the last 20 years, now stands accused of paying millions of dollars to ensure it had referees favorable to the squad. Also, for the first time in more than a decade, European Union leaders will seriously discuss adding new members when they gather in Grenada, Spain, this Friday. We hear how the calculus for expansion has changed since Russia waged war on Ukraine. Plus, Jane Goodall's reasons to hold on to hope.
The United Nations National Security Council has approved the dispatch of a multinational armed force led by Kenya to the beleaguered nation of Haiti, to help combat violent gangs. It's the first time in almost 20 years that a force would be deployed to the Caribbean nation. And, the rising number of undocumented immigrants has overwhelmed officials in many US cities. But business leaders in Topeka, Kansas, are reaching out to legal immigrants, paying a select few up to $15,000 to move to there. Also, as more private entities and governments launch into space, disposing of orbital debris has becoming a bigger problem. Left in the atmosphere, even small bits can damage satellites and spacecraft. Plus, growing demand for cocaine in Europe.
Hungarian American Katalin Karikó and American Drew Weissman won the Nobel Prize for medicine on Monday for discoveries that helped create the mRNA vaccines to protect against COVID-19. Some five decades of public and private research laid the groundwork for the quick development of the lifesaving immunizations. And, US Congress passed a short-term spending bill over the weekend but didn't include funding Ukraine's war effort. Why are some lawmakers now questioning monetary and military support to Ukraine? Also, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, took responsibility for a bombing outside the Turkish Ministry of the Interior early Sunday. Two people were injured. We hear about the fallout from the attacks. Plus, police in Europe make record busts as demand for cocaine continues to grow.
A suspected suicide bomb blast during a procession to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad has left more than 50 people dead and many more wounded in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. There's been growing instability in Pakistan caused by ISIS and the Pakistani Taliban. And, the Peace Corps started out as way for idealistic young people to do good and change the world. But with countries producing their own college graduates and even poor farmers connected by cellphones, is it still relevant? Also, Europe’s rewilding efforts are seeing spectacular successes in Spain, where wild horses run free and vultures are once again circling the remote canyons of one of Europe’s least populated areas. Plus, from village to village, a Kurdish musician records old folk songs to preserve a generation.
The leader of the breakaway Armenian republic of Nagorno-Karabakh says the enclave will dissolve its state institutions on Jan. 1, 2024. Residents have been streaming out of the mountainous enclave since Azerbaijan seized control of it last week. And, China is home to the world's largest high-speed rail network. The country is now launching a new high-speed system that will cut across bodies of water and along the coast of Fujian province in the country's southeast. Also, the Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice was a strong voice in The Hague for victims of gender violence in places like northern Uganda, where rebel leader Joseph Kony terrorized the local population. Now, its former director, Brigid Inder, is being accused of funding him behind the scenes. Plus, how Sasami's zainichi Korean heritage informs her music.
On Wednesday, at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, six Portuguese people between the ages of 11 and 24 years old are presenting their case. They accuse the 32 members of the European Union of violating their human rights for what they say is a failure to adequately address climate change. And, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio returned to Earth from the international space station today. Rubio's return along with Russian cosmonauts comes at a time when US-Russia relations are in question. Also, "fast fashion" routinely borrows the designs of Southeast Asia's Indigenous weavers in the hill tribes of Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Now some are calling it plagiarism. Plus, a modern take on an ancient Chinese folktale.
On the 12th day of the United Autoworkers strike, President Joe Biden joined the picketers in Wayne County, Michigan. The UAW strike involves American autoworkers but Canada and Mexico play a critical role in the supply chain of the US auto industry. And, billionaire Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai has been languishing in prison for the past three years. He’s one of the most high-profile supporters of the island’s pro-democracy movement and a persistent thorn in China's side. Also, break dancing started in the US in the 1970s, but it has since spread across the globe. It's now set to make its Olympic debut in Paris next summer. Plus, Lego scraps its first attempt at a recycled plastic toy brick.
Ethnic Armenians have been fleeing Stepanakert, the capital of the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is now under the control of Azerbaijan, the country that surrounds it on all sides. We look at how this latest crisis fits into a long history of division, displacement and war. Also, US Senator from New Jersey Bob Menendez is facing accusations of taking bribes in return for favorably treating the government of Egypt. Now, there are calls to reassess US aid for Egypt. Plus, new immigrants in many parts of the United States can have a hard time finding work if they don't have a driver's license. But it can also be difficult to pass a driving test in a new language. That's why the state of Maine is expanding its multilingual driving schools. And, a choir in Spain will start selecting a group of girls to join the boys at the altar, singing at Sunday masses.
Indigenous communities in Brazil are celebrating after the country’s supreme court rejected a legal policy that would have weakened their ability to claim land. Also, a new book talks about the most powerful woman in North Korean history: Kim Yo-jong, the sister of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. And, major film sets across the UK have had to close down because of the actors’ and writers’ strikes in the US. Plus, a look at Lachlan Murdoch, son of the famed media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, who is set to take over his father’s media empire.
The Biden administration is expanding and extending its temporary protected status order for Venezuela, allowing Venezuelans to work. This includes nearly half a million Venezuelans currently in the US. And, Poland's prime minister has said that Ukraine will no longer receive weapons because Poland is upgrading to more modern weaponry. This announcement comes on the heels of a dispute over economic protection for Poland's farmers as the country has banned the import of Ukrainian grain. Also, Pope Francis recently set off a firestorm among Ukrainian Catholics when he praised Russia's great past and culture. Ukrainian Greek Catholics, for whom the pope is a spiritual leader, would like to hear his support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. Plus, this Freetown mayor focuses on climate resilience.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres only invited leaders with credible new climate pledges to speak at this year’s UN climate ambition summit. But the UN has limited power to cajole nations when it comes to climate. And, Armenian separatist forces in Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh surrendered on Wednesday, 24 hours after Azerbaijani forces began an offensive to take full control of its territory. Also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden have been at odds over proposed judicial reforms in Israel, which Netanyahu backs. On Wednesday, the two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Plus, reparations for Japanese Canadians may be seen as too little, too late.
At the UN General Assembly today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy again sounded the alarm over Russian aggression. And, family groups crossing the US border illegally reached an all-time high in August. This is a concern for Biden administration officials, as families have always been the hardest migrants to deport. Also, Canada and India are feuding right now over India's alleged potential involvement in a politically motivated killing of a Sikh Canadian activist. India has denied Canada's accusations thus far and the two countries have expelled each other's senior diplomats. Plus, a group of Tibetan Buddhist monks go on a sacred arts tour in the US.
A year and a half into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its impact has been felt most acutely in lost lives, flattened cities and destroyed infrastructure. But the environmental damage from combat has also contaminated Ukraine’s soil, water and air. From Ukrainian farm fields polluted with mines to Norway's new role as the largest exporter of natural gas to Europe, The World's environment correspondent Carolyn Beeler reports on how the environment and climate impacts are likely to be one of the longest-lasting legacies of the war, persisting for decades after the fighting stops.
The Dominican Republic and Haiti are in a serious dispute over water rights. The Dominican government has moved to seal the border and stopped issuing visas to all Haitian citizens, until the dispute is resolved. And, the United Nations General Assembly kicks off next Tuesday, when both Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy and US President Joe Biden are expected to take the stage. Also, Sept. 16 will mark one year since the death of Mahsa Amini, who was in Iranian police custody for improperly wearing her headscarf. Her death sparked protests throughout Iran and the world against the Iranian government's repressive treatment of women. Plus, an American caver in Turkey speaks about his 11 days underground.
In the US, auto industry professionals all have their eyes on the emerging electric vehicle market — and the growing global dominance of China's auto industry in electric cars. And, the US State Department estimates that about 10,000 people from around the world are trapped in “scam mill compounds” in Cambodia. They are forced to work for criminal syndicates, luring unsuspecting targets into fraudulent crypto schemes. Also, flooding devastated the city of Derna in Libya. We hear voice messages from everyday people and aid workers about the extreme damage it has wreaked. Plus, threats to a wildly popular Mexican singer point to cartel wars.
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.
US President Joe Biden arrives in India as Delhi is gearing up to host the G20 summit this weekend. The group of 20 nations includes the United States, Russia and China among others. And, Canada’s temporary foreign worker programs are a “breeding ground” for modern forms of slavery, a United Nations expert has warned. Also, the UN on Friday released the most comprehensive analysis to date of global action on climate change. The report makes clear that radical changes are still needed to meet agreed-upon climate targets. Plus, this Puerto Rican rapper swims against the current.
For the first time in Mexico’s history, two women will face off for the presidency in next year's vote. Some see the candidates as a milestone. But others caution that Mexican women still face a misogynous culture and rising sexual violence. And, getting that acceptance letter from a US university is cause for celebration. But getting a student visa in time to attend the first day of class can be a bigger achievement, when wait times can last for months in some countries. Also, Pakistan continues to suffer the impacts of climate change in the form of floods and fires. The climate catastrophes have also brought about a major health crisis there. Plus, the massive hidden cost of invasive species.
The conviction and sentencing of former Proud Boys' leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio for seditious conspiracy coincides with a rise in Proud Boys membership since the Jan. 6 riots at the US Capitol. Prosecutions of right-wing extremist leaders impacts membership in extremist organizations worldwide. And, Wednesday is “back to school” day for millions of children in Britain, but thousands of students were unable to return to their classrooms due to fears that some school buildings may be in danger of collapse. Also, European countries and the United States now ship recyclable plastic waste to countries like Turkey. But this rapidly growing industry often skirts regulations, leading to health and environmental risks for the surrounding community. Plus, sunsets in Ibiza always have a soundtrack.
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?
In this one-hour special, The World looks at transportation issues around the globe. Thor Pedersen, a former UN soldier originally from Denmark, went on a decadelong adventure that took him to every country in the world. The trick — he never took an airplane. And, NASA’s Artemis program aims to bring the first woman and first person of color to the moon in 2024, and it's the prelude to a much bigger ambition — sending humans to Mars. Also, lithium is in soaring global demand, because it's used in electric car batteries. This is good news for the economy of Chile, that meets a third of the world’s lithium needs. Plus, a Finnish driver gets a $120,000 speeding ticket.
Today is the first day of school across Ukraine. UNICEF just released a report on the devastating impacts of war on Ukrainian students' education, especially those near the frontlines. And, Cambodia is still recovering from the murderous reign of the Khmer Rouge when most academics were killed. Today, universities have been rebuilt but most people in the impoverished kingdom can't afford even the lowest tuition fees. Also, The World wraps a summer celebration of 50 years of hip-hop, from its birth in the South Bronx to its influence around the globe. Plus, a piano-tuner shortage in Australia.
A fire at an apartment building in Johannesburg, South Africa, has left dozens dead and more victims are expected to be recovered during emergency search operations. The dilapidated building was home to hundreds of occupants, many homeless. And, ever since Spanish Soccer Federation President Luis Rubiales forced a kiss on star player Jenni Hermoso, people have been calling for Rubiales to resign. The situation has sparked a "mini-revolution" in Spain. Also, on Sept. 1, after a three-year pandemic hiatus, interest on student loans in the US will start accruing again, affecting more than 40 million borrowers. The US is an outlier when it comes to high tuition and debts. Plus, an ancient thundering dance floor in Peru.
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.
On Sunday, rescue workers pulled the last survivor from the devastating crash in India's eastern Odisha state, that has left at least 275 dead and more than 1,000 injured. Relatives are now on the scene trying to locate their loved ones. And, there's been a push to add new members to BRICS — a group from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — in an effort to counterbalance the power of Western countries. Also, hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets yesterday in Poland, protesting what they see as growing authoritarianism in the country. Many were motivated in response to a new law that is supposed to target Russian propaganda in Poland. Plus, gang violence in Haiti loosens its grip.
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.
Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Solohub has traveled to eastern Ukraine near the front lines in Donetsk this week. He talks about how Ukrainian troops are using new Western weaponry and low-tech homemade drones. And, in Europe, inflation is getting curbed, stocks are up, key sectors are rebounding and the US Congress seems to be on course to raise the debt ceiling and prevent the global markets from meltdown as a result. Will it last? Also, Iraq’s date palms were nearly decimated after decades of war. We hear about one group's efforts to save them. Plus, this blues musician fled Russia for Serbia.
The United Nations says more than 1 million people have been displaced by the conflict in Sudan. Despite on and off ceasefires, the fighting between the country's armed forces and paramilitary has shown no signs of ending soon. And, Nigeria has only about 1 doctor for every 5,000 residents. Members of Nigerian Parliament are backing a new bill that will medical graduates to work in the country for five years to limit the medical brain drain. Also, a spacecraft with an all-private astronaut team splashed down off Texas in the Gulf of Mexico late Tuesday. Two of the four astronauts on board are from Saudi Arabia including the first Arab woman to go into orbit. Plus, a the $70 billion deal that could impact the future of cloud gaming.
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.
In parts of northern Ukraine, near the border with Belarus, Russian troops were firmly in control for several weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion started in 2022. The World revisits a story from the Chernihiv region, about how residents there are putting their lives back together, even while the war rages on. We also go back to a school in Romania where Ukrainians are starting over. And, Ukrainians are finding ways to keep living their lives amid war. That includes searching for — and finding — love.
School is out for the summer! But we have one more assignment for you. If you are a student or a recent graduate from an American university, we’d like to know why you chose to study in the US. Was it what you hoped for? What do you like, what do you not like? When you graduate will you return home? Record a voice memo with your story. Include your name and location and email the voice memo to myworld@theworld.org. We might feature your story on the program.
Last month, Elon Musk’s satellite internet, Starlink, went live in El Salvador. The government hopes this will revolutionize internet access in the region. But many worry that the cost of the service will keep it out of reach for many people. Also, being a doctor in Ukraine brings great risk. There have been more than 700 attacks on health care facilities since the war there began. And, a tattoo artist in Jerusalem is carrying on a 700-year-old Christian tradition. Plus, Turkish voters head to the polls again. We have a preview of the upcoming runoff presidential election.
School is out for the summer! But we have one more assignment for you. If you are a student or a recent graduate from an American university, we’d like to know why you chose to study in the US. Was it what you hoped for? What do you like, what do you not like? When you graduate will you return home? Record a voice memo with your story. Include your name and location and email the voice memo to myworld@theworld.org. We might feature your story on the program.
The latest wave of COVID-19 infections to hit China could see as many as 65 million cases per week by the time the surge peaks at the end of June. It’s being fueled by omicron XBB, a subvariant that’s been found widely in the US. Plus, Greek authorities have made some 200 beaches water accessible to people with disabilities. And the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll," Tina Turner, has died at the age of 83. The iconic musician spent the last few decades of her life in Europe. What prompted that choice?
Tunisia's democracy continues to deteriorate with the arrests of opposition politicians, including the main opposition leader. Now, the children of these politicians are mounting pressure on the government by filing a case against them in the African Court of Justice. Plus, women who once worked for NGOs in Afghanistan speak out against the Taliban's ban. And, the global impact on markets as the US hits its debt ceiling.
The US isn't the only country that's created a "debt ceiling." Denmark has one, too. But Danes don't play politics when it comes to paying their debt. Also, millions of Ukrainians fled their country after Russia's full-scale invasion last year. While many have returned, some can't or won't. We meet Ukrainians who are starting over in France. And, Filipinos have a message for Taylor Swift: "Come back!"
Beijing is not happy. As the G7 meeting in Hiroshima, Japan, wrapped up, the Chinese government is protesting what it sees as the "anti-China" tenor of the summit. Also, the Biden administration says it will support an effort to train Ukrainian pilots learning how to operate F-16 warplanes. Plus, Angelique Kidjo, the musician and activist from Benin, is one of three recipients at this year's Polar Prize for music in Stockholm. She takes her responsibility seriously "for our world to be a better place."
For more than a decade, Greece was seen as the "sick man of Europe." But in the last couple of years, its economy has performed better than many of its EU neighbours. So, the center-right government should be feeling pretty confident heading into a general election this Sunday. But it's not that clear-cut. Also, a shared religious site in Jerusalem is among the most contentious. A worst-cast scenario was avoided last month during overlapping religious holidays. Security is back to normal. But what does "normal" look like? And, China's population is on the decline. A lot of young people don't want to get married and have kids. But Beijing is rolling out a new initiative to try and reverse this trend. Plus, The World concludes its series looking at waste pickers across the globe. Today, it's off to Japan, where garbage picking has been turned into a choreographed performance.
Japan is set to host the G-7 summit in Hiroshima, the site of one of the only two nuclear attacks in history. Also, a comedy group in China is being heavily fined for a viral joke that made light of a Chinese military slogan. And, a longtime ban on dreadlocks at elementary schools in Malawi has been lifted. Plus, we hear the second part of report on how a Sudanese warlord rose to power, while operating with impunity.
The fight for control of Sudan. It's a match between two generals. One's been accused of committing war crimes. He also claims to be one of the richest men in Africa. Also, the arrest of controversial influencer Andrew Tate last December turned a spotlight on Romania's adult webcam industry. And, the megacity of Mumbai, India, generates an astonishing amount of trash. An informal network of recycling scavengers make it livable. A look at Mumbai's chaotic, yet effective, recycling program.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's recent appeal to European leaders has brought in more military aid for the country's defense against Russia. It's an indication that Western officials believe Kyiv’s forces could reclaim significant swaths of territory. Also, in southern Mexico, droughts are getting worse. That's forcing farmers to adjust and adapt. And, with the end of the pandemic-era rule known as Title 42 last week, the rules for seeking asylum at the US border have changed dramatically. They can be confusing. So, just how does the process work? Plus, across Ghana, waste picking is crucial for building a "circular economy" to eliminate waste. It's also a vital survival strategy for many. But it's a dangerous, undervalued job.
When polls opened in Turkey on Sunday, opposition candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu seemed poised to unseat Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has been in power for 20 years. Now, the two are headed to a runoff. And, US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety said the South African government sent arms to Russia in December 2022 aboard a ship under US sanctions. Also, the United Kingdom's schemes to help settle Ukrainian refugees helped house over 170,000 Ukrainians since last year. Now, one of the creators is calling on the UK government to support a similar scheme for Sudan. Plus, the UN marks the 75th anniversary of the "Nakba" for the first time, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians became refugees.
After months of stalemate, Ukraine’s military says it’s gaining ground in the embattled southern city of Bakhmut. We hear from US Ambassador Bridget Brink about the current situation on the ground. And, angry and exhausted, Turkish voters head to the polls on Sunday, as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan faces a robust challenge from six opposition parties who have united behind candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Also, fighting continues for a third day this week between Israel and the Palestinian militant faction, Islamic Jihad, in the Gaza Strip. Plus, celebrating Mother's Day around the globe.
Shelters in cities like Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, are emptying as many of them have decided to surrender to US authorities before Title 42 ends on May 11. Some fear that stricter rules might prevent them from coming after the pandemic-era policy expires. And, the Saudi government began talks to broker a peace deal between leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, which have been fighting for control of Sudan's capital since April 15. Also, across Europe, prosecutors have been nabbing suspects involved in the drug trade for the Italian mafia group, Ndrangheta. Plus, Russian artists in exile create new work — and identities.
As the number of people trying to cross the jungle on their way to the United States increases, transporting migrants and leading them on treks across the rainforest has become the main industry in Capurgana, a small village on the southern edge of the Darien Gap in Colombia. And, the Pentagon announced $1.2 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine this week as the country prepares for a major counteroffensive against Russia. Also, this weekend, 64 million Turkish voters will choose their next leader. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan moved the elections up by a month after facing criticism for his response to devastating earthquakes in February. Plus, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen takes home the coveted Best in Show award at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Migrants from South America, Africa and Asia are crossing the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama at record rates. As the US prepares to lift Title 42 on May 11, many migrants believe their chances of getting into the US will increase. And, early Tuesday morning, the Israeli army targeted senior leaders of the militant group, Islamic Jihad, in an operation it says killed three senior leaders in Gaza. Also, amid ongoing fighting in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, many are still trapped at home, with limited supplies. Neighborhood committees have formed to bring in food and water, and check on people's welfare. Plus, legendary opera singer Grace Bumbry dies at the age of 86.
More than 100,000 people turned out in central Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday to say no to the government's plans for judicial reform, for the 18th consecutive week. For now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding off on the judicial overhaul. And, in 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council established the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the context of Law Enforcement. Their most recent trip brought the international experts to the United States. Also, the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate in Sudan as the fighting intensifies. The UN estimates 19 million people will be food insecure in the coming months. Plus, get ready for Eurovision, kicking off soon in Liverpool.
After three years, and the death of millions of people, the World Health Organiziation's Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced an end to the emergency. He made clear that the pandemic is not over and measures to prevent COVID-19 spread need to remain in place. And, a government app encourages Iraqis to report immoral behavior on- and offline. Also, in Serbia, two separate shooting sprees in two days have left 17 people dead in the Balkan country where gun violence is rare. Now, Serbia's president wants "practical disarmament" of the country, which has some of the most guns per citizen of any country in the world. Plus, how a group of Cuban female musicians claimed a once-forbidden drum.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have all made investments in Sudan and consider the Red Sea country an important location. These interests further complicate the ongoing fighting on the ground. And, scientists believe only a fraction of the potential 2 million marine species in our oceans have been identified. A new Ocean Census project aims to change that by identifying 100,000 new species in just 10 years. Also, US officials are dismissing Russian accusations that it "masterminded" Wednesday’s drone attack on the Kremlin. Plus, Copenhagen's mayor urges the "Danish capital of America" to support the LGBTQ community.
Videos apparently show two drones exploding over the Kremlin early Wednesday morning. Moscow claims the drones are from Ukraine and an attempt to assassinate Russian leader Vladimir Putin. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has denied any involvement in the attack. And, the capture of the Niovi, a Greek-owned vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, is the second-such capture by Tehran in recent days. We hear about the potential impact on shipping, and what it says about the safety of vessels passing through the waters off Iran. Also, The Writers Guild of America is on strike for better wages and royalties. How might this impact international series? Plus, some animals are able to adapt to climate change— so far.
In the Palestinian city of Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, there’s a new group of national heroes. They’re part of an upstart militant group called the Lions’ Den. And, how is AI helping to protect against sushi sabatoge? That's the latest TikTok trend where young pranksters in Japan are contaminating sushi served on conveyer belts in restaurants. Also, Ukrainians believe that the future of the democratic world will be determined by whether the Ukrainian military can break a stalemate with Russia and drive the country backward— perhaps even out of Crimea — for good. Plus, the sound baths of French artist Anthony Gonzalez and his electronic ensemble, M83.
Fighting in Khartoum between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces is spreading throughout Sudan. Violence in the western Sudanese region of Darfur threatens to revive the civil war and genocide that engulfed that region 20 years ago. And, there's no May Day parade this year in Cuba due to an acute fuel shortage crisis on the island. Also, pollution from the Tijuana River to the Pacific Ocean have long plagued swimmers and surfers on both sides of the US-Mexico border. We hear about how a recent court settlement is bringing hope for cooperation. Plus, a new book, "Winnie and Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage," explores a fraught political partnership.
In Ukraine, air raid sirens went off on Friday at dawn as Russia fired 20 cruise missiles and two drones into the country. Meanwhile, Ukraine is preparing for a long-awaited spring counteroffensive against Russian armed forces. And, the German government says it will set up an international commission to conduct an inquiry into the deadly hostage-taking — and botched police raid — at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Also, the Biden administration on Thursday announced new efforts to limit the flow of unauthorized migrants across the southern border, including the opening of migrant processing centers in Guatemala and Colombia. Plus, panda diplomacy reveals a rocky US-China relationship.
Hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting in Sudan in recent weeks, including a Sudanese American physician. Dr. Bushra Ibnauf lived in Khartoum and was training other medical professionals. He was stabbed outside his home earlier this week. And, there's been a mixed reaction to the new bitcoin currency in El Salvador. Also, Venezuela’s best-known opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, unexpectedly arrived in the US this week. He was rerouted to Miami after getting kicked out of Colombia, where he attempted to attend a summit without an invite. Plus, "Pele" means "the best."
US President Joe Biden is meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday at the White House in a display of strengthening US-Korean solidarity. But recent Pentagon leaks indicating the US eavesdropped on Yoon's presidential office has rattled his cabinet, and could complicate the meeting. And, the World Food Program's regional director for the Middle East, Eastern Europe and North Africa says these countries are facing food shortages brought on by military conflicts, and by natural and manmade disasters. Also, people continue to flee Sudan as more fighting continues on Wednesday on the outskirts of the capital, Khartoum. Residents from the capital region are also having to make tough decisions about leaving. Plus, a look at legendary Harry Belafonte's role in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
Those with the means to leave Sudan's capital, Khartoum, are streaming out of the city as fighting continues between two rival generals. Those left behind are hoping that a shaky US-brokered ceasefire can provide a measure of calm. And, Israel marks its "tensest Memorial Day" in many years on Tuesday. It’s typically a moment of national unity but the political atmosphere is deeply divided. Also, since the passage of a law in Russia banning LGBTQ-related material, books have been pulled from shelves, and authors and publishing houses have had to relocate. Plus, we remember singer Harry Belafonte who has died at the age of 96.
Nations around the globe are busy evacuating their personnel from embassies in Khartoum, Sudan, amid fighting between rival military commanders. With little diplomatic presence left, what role can the international community play in trying to end the violence? And, the COVID-19 pandemic weakened health care systems around the globe. USAID's Dr. Atul Gawande talks about how global health care systems are getting back on their feet. Also, the Goldman Prize has awarded Zafer Kizilkaya for his decadelong work establishing community-managed marine-protected areas along Turkey's coastline. Kizilkaya is the first winner from Turkey. Plus, Sifan Hassan places first in the women's London Marathon.
Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in Sudan as fighting continues between Sudan's rival armed forces. The fighting has also damaged health facilities, making it difficult for health workers to help those caught in the crosshairs. And, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently said that Kyiv and the West share some responsibility for the conflict in Ukraine, creating tension between Brazil and the US. Also, new publicly available artificial intelligence tools are making it easier than ever for people to create art. These AI-generated songs, photographs and entire interviews all come with a range of ethical questions. Plus, re-creating the resilience of Roman concrete.
A new UNICEF report estimates that 67 million children have not received a single dose of important vaccines since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, this week, a camp for internally displaced people in northern Iraq was abruptly closed, leaving residents to suddenly find new places to live. Also, The World relaunches "The Big Fix," a series focusing on how people around the world are working to cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Plus, Spanish police take down the biggest cocaine lab found in Europe.
According to intelligence sources, a Russian military program is currently mapping offshore wind farms, gas pipelines, and power and internet cables in the waters around Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden. And, Boston's first and only Yemeni restaurant marks Ramadan. Also, the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history happened three years ago this week in Nova Scotia. It led to new restrictions on guns, which in turn added fuel to a growing guns rights movement. Plus, a Yiddish "street song" pays homage to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
As fighting continues between Sudan’s two most powerful military generals, civilians say they don’t trust either of the warring factions. And, about 100 more detainees have been flown from Saudi Arabia to Yemen, days after a major prisoner exchange between the two sides. Also, survivors of last month’s devastating earthquakes in Turkey are finding ways to save an Indigenous species of silkworm. Plus, Sudanese American MC Oddisee describes overcoming cultural taboos around mental health as he releases a new album.
After days of growing tensions, fighting broke out on Saturday between forces of Sudan's military and paramilitary. And, a Moscow court has sentenced Vladimir Kara-Murza, one of the Kremlin’s most outspoken critics, to 25 years in prison for treason. Also, southern Spain is looking to ancient irrigation methods to water a drought-stricken region. Plus, Arab Chilean singer Elyanna came to the famed music festival Coachella with a set entirely in Arabic.
FBI agents arrested 21-year-old air national guardsman Jack Teixeira, who has been identified as the prime suspect in the leak of classified intelligence documents. They contain military secrets relating to Ukraine, as well as information about other countries. A former CIA officer reacts to the news. Also, a decade ago, two bombs went off at the Boston Marathon. It's a tragic day that still reverberates and a moment that changed how security at big sporting events gets done. Also, Mexican activists are helping American women get abortions. The procedures require no travel, clinics or prescriptions. Plus, we hear from singer Pilani Bubu from South Africa — a onetime lawyer and businesswoman who gave it up to become a singer-songwriter.
A leaked trove of classified US intelligence information has revealed secrets about Russia's war in Ukraine. The incident has been embarrassing for the Pentagon and the White House, and the Kremlin, as well as the media, are all paying close attention. And, a celebrity chef explores cuisine and culture on the US-Mexico border, taking viewers to Baja California, Sonora and Chihuahua. Also, Muslims around the world are spending these days fasting, praying and gathering with friends and family for the holy month of Ramadan. In southern Turkey, families are observing their fasts while living in tents in the earthquake-devastated region of Hatay. Plus, remembering the iconic British fashion designer, Mary Quant, who brought miniskirts to the masses.
On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced that by 2032, two-thirds of new vehicles sold in the US would need to be electric in order for auto manufacturers to be in compliance. And, Nigerian activist Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode's new book, "The Stolen Daughters of Chibok," documents the April 2014 kidnapping of northern Nigerian schoolgirls by Boko Haram. Also, Bengali Muslims all over India face discrimination. Plus, the last stop of a 9,000-mile butterfly migration.
Alibaba just released a new AI chatbot called Tongyi Qianwen, or "seeking truth by asking a thousand questions." But China is clamping down on companies doing cutting-edge AI work, fearing it could subjugate "state control." And, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is visiting Somalia as part of a UN effort to support the drought-stricken nation. Nearly 5 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity, partially due to climate change caused by wealthier nations, according to the UN. Also, US President Joe Biden begins a four-day trip to Ireland on Tuesday, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. In the past month, the terrorism level in the region was raised to severe. Plus, the wife of a jailed Chinese dissident speaks out.
US officials are struggling to keep up with the increasing number of migrants arriving at the southern border and seeking asylum. Beginning this week, asylum officers will screen a small number of migrants at the border in temporary facilities. And, Saudi officials traveled to Sana'a, Yemen, on Sunday for direct talks with Houthi rebel leaders. Their arrival signals a new chapter in the effort to forge peace in Yemen's long civil war, but few have faith that a deal will change the lives of the Yemeni people. Also, the first tranche of funding from the International Monetary Fund was transferred into Sri Lanka's government coffers late last month. But after the island nation's economic and political collapse last summer, prices for electricity and fuel, as well as food insecurity rates, are still high. Plus, Sierra Leone's Bai Kamara, Jr. is the "traveling medicine man."
A human rights group in Haiti says the number of kidnappings in the country have tripled compared to the same time period last year. As the political and economic situation worsens, police are outgunned and gangs control much of the country. And, a new book explores how patriarchy became common around the world. Also, the United Nations said this week that it has been informed by the Taliban that its female employees can no longer work in the country. The UN demanded the order be rescinded, saying that women are essential to providing services in Afghanistan. Plus, Guatemala's "flower carpets" decorate Holy Week.
Pinpointing the “end” of the COVID-19 pandemic depends on the vantage point. Medical professionals wait for death rates to subside and immunity to build. Social scientists tend to focus on perceived risk. And, ahead of Easter, the Nicaraguan government has banned Holy Week processions. It's part of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's ongoing tussle with the Catholic Church, which is part of the country's political opposition. Also, recent Russian defector Gleb Karakulov is giving the world a behind-the-scenes look into Russia's government and its president. Plus, a lone Nigerian rooster is ruled a nuisance.
Early on Wednesday, dozens of Israeli police raided al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, one of the holiest sites in Islam, to clear people who it said were barricaded inside. The incident comes during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and just as Passover begins, stoking fears of more tension in the region. Many Ukrainian Jews will be observing Passover this year. And a traditional Jewish text is being published in Ukrainian for the first time. It's another small way push away from Russian language and culture. Also, more US troops will rotate into the Philippines after Manila identified the location of four new military bases. Beijing is not happy about the the new developments so close to its shores. And, we remember the creator of the popular board game "Catan." Klaus Teuber's game has sold some 32 million copies in 40 different languages.
In a quick ceremony in Brussels, Finland was officially accepted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as its 31st member. The Kremlin aired its grievances against the alliance, claiming that troops would be deployed to the area along Russia's border with Finland. And, starting this month, the Japanese government is offering a new incentive to get families in densely populated Tokyo to move out to less populated areas: 1 million yen — about $7,600 — per child. Also, the US military is facing a recruitment crisis. The Army missed its target by 25% during the past fiscal year. Other branches of the military are also seeing a drop in recruiting. Plus, a call for bell ringers for Britain's coronation.
Russian authorities have detained a 26-year-old native of St. Petersburg after a bomb killed a prominent military blogger in a café on Sunday. Russian officials are accusing Ukraine and Russian opposition activists for the attack. And, more than 60 Chinese Christians fleeing government harassment are struggling to reach the US. They’ve been detained along the way in Thailand on visa charges. Also, the fate of Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso is in the hands of the country's national assembly after the constitutional court approved impeachment proceedings against him for acts of corruption. Plus, how the Taliban won Afghanistan.
Donald Trump has made history as the first US president to be indicted for a crime, but this is something that’s pretty common around the globe. We hear about how numerous world leaders have been caught up in their own legal problems. Also, inflation has long haunted the economy of Argentina. But it’s now reaching excruciating levels, soaring past 100%, the highest level in 30 years. And, the ascension of Humza Yousaf as the first minister of Scotland is another historic milestone for the United Kingdom. He’s the first Muslim and first South Asian to hold the position. This also follows Rishi Sunak’s rise as prime minister of Britain. Plus, the Museum of Failure started in Sweden back in 2017. It has since traveled the world, displaying more than 150 failed products. But the museum isn’t about making fun of the inventions. It’s about using them to normalize failure.
Russia's security services arrested American reporter Evan Gershkovich, of The Wall Street Journal, in Moscow on Thursday. Gershkovich was hit with espionage charges by Russia's government — a first for a US correspondent since the Cold War. And, Rafael Grossi, head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency, said the situation in war-torn Zaporizhzhia is "very dangerous," as continued shelling in the area is jeopardizing safe operations at the nuclear plant there. Also, the 15th-century “Doctrine of Discovery'' provided the legal basis for the colonial-era seizure of Indigenous lands. On Thursday, Pope Francis formally repudiated the doctrine. Plus, a guy in a bear suit makes people smile on the streets of Kyiv, Ukraine.
The relationship between the US and Israel has always been strong. But as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition tried to overhaul Israel's judicial system, fissures between the two leaders have begun to show. And, Mar. 29 marks 50 years since President Richard Nixon announced that all US combat troops had left Vietnam. Also, more than 1,000 AI researchers and tech leaders have called for a moratorium on AI training. The letter warns that no person can truly understand the complicated systems they are creating in AI labs, and that they could pose an existential danger. Plus, a rare collection of Shakespeare's Folios are up for sale.
Dozens of migrants are dead after a fire swept through a detention center in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juárez. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says the fire was started by migrants who were protesting news of their deportation. And, during the Khmer Rouge's reign, many of Cambodia's ancient relics were spirited out of the country. Now, looted antiquities are starting to be returned. Also, protests in France continued on Tuesday as workers railed against raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. These reforms would theoretically help young people, but students have turned out in droves to support the older generation. Plus, we remember the Ethiopian pianist and nun Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, who died at the age of 99.
After weeks of mass protests in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will hit pause on a controversial plan to overhaul the judicial system. The growing demonstrations have shuttered shops and universities, and grounded flights. And, Paul Rusesabagina, the man portrayed in the Hollywood film "Hotel Rwanda," has been freed from prison in Kigali. Two years ago, Rusesabagina was sentenced to 25 years behind bars on terrorism charges. Many at the time said the trial was a farce. Also, many Ukrainian athletes have had to move abroad to train for the Olympics since Russia invaded their country last February. They now face the possibility of competing against Russians and Belarusians at the Paris Games in 2024. Plus, Ghanaian gospel music for the dance floor.
The US and Canada have agreed to change a decades-old asylum agreement, putting more restrictions on migrants seeking protections in Canada. And, since the 9th century, monks, aristocrats and emperors have all tracked the date of "full flower" for cherry blossoms, providing an unusually complete record of spring coming earlier in Japan. Also, congressional leaders sparred with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in Washington on Thursday, when Chew was on Capitol Hill to discuss TikTok's data security. The US is considering a ban on the the social media platform that is used by over 150 million Americans. Plus, sounds from the Brazilian 11-piece samba big band in Miami.
US President Joe Biden is visiting Canada today to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and address Canada's Parliament in Ottawa. US-Canada border relations are at the top of the agenda. And, mice are plaguing tiny, uninhabited Marion Island located southeast of South Africa in the Indian Ocean. The invasive mouse population is threatening the birds, and conservationists say they need to go. Also, Israel's Knesset has passed a law limiting the ways a sitting prime minister can be declared unfit for office. Critics see it as a shield to protect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from fallout amid an ongoing corruption trial. Plus, the late-Malian master of the desert blues, Ali Farka Touré, left behind many recordings.
Kayla Williams was deployed to Iraq in 2003 as an Arabic linguist two days after the US-led invasion began. She talks about the long-term physical and psychological impact of the war on veterans. And, the International Monetary Fund and Ukraine have agreed to terms that pave the way for a $15.6 billion relief package, designed to prop up the government's intense military spending and the blows Russian forces have dealt to the economy. Also, New Zealand's government has launched a campaign to help teenagers and young adults heal from romantic breakups. The "Love Better" campaign includes Kiwi teens talking about the added stress social media plays when a relationship ends. Plus, scientists show how language connects with thought process.
Contagion is a medical term, but it applies to the banking world, too. Investors are worried that the problems at a handful of American banks could ripple across the world economy and that unexpected surprises may be lurking. And, Ecuador finds a novel way to convert seized cocaine into cement. Also, the outgoing head of the UN’s World Food Program, David Beasley, has long argued that growing global food insecurity should be addressed with structural solutions — not handouts. Beasley talks about how the world can adapt to the new, worrisome challenges hunger poses. Plus, the latest sounds from the innovator of the Hindustani slide guitar, Debashish Bhattacharya.
Monday marks 20 years since the start of “Operation Iraqi Freedom," the US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled the president, Saddam Hussein, and aimed to spread democracy in the country. We hear from those who lived through these turbulent and violent years. And, gay sex is already illegal in Uganda, punishable by life in prison. But a new bill making its way through the legislature would make it illegal to even identify as gay or transgender. Also, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's latest climate report shows that humanity is on "thin ice," with the window closing on the chance to meet ambitious global warming targets. Plus, two Icelandic artists quietly leave their mark on South by Southwest.
The International Criminal Court said Friday that it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. It was the first time the global court has issued a warrant against a leader of one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. And, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said his government will approve the Finnish bid to join NATO. Also, we catch up with a woman who was 38-weeks pregnant when Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Plus, this Ethiopian artist's work is feature on bus shelters in the US and Ivory Coast.
Poland says it will send at least four Soviet-designed MiG fighter planes to Ukraine to aid in its war effort against Russian forces. Western nations previously avoided sending jets to avoid an escalation in the conflict. And, the International Atomic Energy Association is reporting missing nuclear material in Libya. There is major concern about who possesses 2.5 tons of natural uranium left over from the era of the former Libyan strongman, Muammar Gaddafi. Also, this week, officials in El Salvador sent 2,000 more suspected criminals to a massive new prison built to hold gang members. Many of the suspects have not been tried. Plus, the "City of Lights" is turning into a "City of Trash."
The crash landing of an American reconnaissance drone struck by a Russian warplane and downed over the Black Sea is further rattling US-Russia relations. It’s unclear whether the incident was an error or a deliberate action. And, US law enforcement is taking some new steps against espionage and intellectual property theft on university campuses. But these measures are putting some researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge on edge. Also, years of war interrupted and undermined Iraq’s music scene. Now, relative stability has created a space for its revival. Plus, saving the Maori language through music.
Cyclone Freddy is already the longest-lived tropical cyclone ever recorded. Now, it's returned to Mozambique for a second time in the past few weeks, bringing powerful winds and torrential rains. And, about half of the world’s population lives in areas at risk of dengue, a mosquito-borne tropical disease. Scientists have warned that climate change is likely hastening the spread of the mosquito species that carries the virus, to areas that, until recently, were free of the disease. Also, Ukrainians have found a way to keep living their lives during wartime — including the search for love. We hear from people who are dating, moving in together, or getting married in Kyiv. Plus, this new book is an ode to a war-shattered Baghdad, Iraq.
Israel is taking another look at its security strategy following the restoration of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Israel had seen Saudi Arabia's anti-Iran stance as a bulwark in its security strategy. And, Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi was thrown into the global spotlight in 2008 after hurling his shoes at then-President George W. Bush. Two decades after the US-led invasion of Iraq, we ask Zaidi about his views on the country today. Also, for months now, the fighting in and around the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut has been relentless and deadly. On Sunday, Ukraine's president said the Ukrainian military managed to kill 1,100 enemy soldiers near Bakhmut. Plus, "Naatu Naatu," an award-winning Indian Telugu-language song.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Paris on Friday with the aim to reset relations. The UK's new controversial immigration bill dominated the meeting, as it would ban all migrants arriving in Britain on small boats from the shores of France. And, Xi Jinping has secured a third term as general-secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. The position wields unmatched power for deciding the direction that China will take in the future. Also, Saudi Arabia and Iran committed to restoring diplomatic relations on Friday in a deal brokered by China. It represents a huge breakthrough between the Middle East's biggest powers since they broke off relations in 2016. Plus, Czechs and Brits crash the baseball party.
Lawmakers in Georgia say they’re now scrapping plans to introduce a measure that would have required media organizations and NGOs getting more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “agents of foreign influence.” And, amid Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, many of the country's top athletes returned back to their rigorous training routines. This fencer and wrestler are both focused on gold at next summer's Olympics in Paris. Also, the self-described global artist Yun-Fei Ji grew up during China's chaotic Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and '70s. He landed in New York City in the 1990s, where he expanded his art practice by living in two worlds. Plus, remembering Chaim Topol, who played Tevye in the acclaimed "Fiddler on the Roof."
Thousands of protesters in Tbilisi, Georgia, are speaking out against a bill that would require organizations receiving more than 20% of funding from international sources to register as "foreign agents." Many fear this legislation would push Georgia further from Western allies, and muck up aspirations to EU membership. And, last week, two Americans were killed in the Mexican city of Matamoros following their kidnapping. They were part of a group of four travelers who crossed the border seeking medical tourism. Also, the cause of the explosions that hit the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea last September has been widely debated. Now, officials are reacting to media reports that a pro-Ukraine group was behind them. Plus, a new memoir uncovers Ukraine's troubled past.
The French president is determined to raise the pension age to 64. But plenty of French workers are pushing back. For the sixth time this year, people across the country are walking off their jobs. And, the US and European police shut down a notorious cybercrime gang linked to Russia. After breaking into computer networks, the so-called DopplePaymer group demanded payment to unscramble sensitive material and to not release it online. Also, a Cuban filmmaker returns to see his family during the island's worst economic crisis in decades. Hundreds of thousands of mostly young Cubans have left the country in recent months, and those who stay behind are growing more desperate. Plus, the documentary film "Navalny” is up for an Academy Award.
The Turkish government has begun investigating journalists, media commentators and social media users accused of spreading misinformation about earthquake recovery efforts. If convicted, they could face up to three years in prison. And, former Prime Minister Imran Khan's speeches were banned by Pakistan's media regulator on Monday. The regulator said Khan was "spreading hate speech" in his recent rhetoric against the country's institutions. Also, almost three years after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, mask usage in Mexico is still relatively common. But usage varies widely from country to country, where culture and politics determine how widespread the practice is at this point. Plus, Swiss authorities say Toblerone is not "Swiss" enough.
A group of Israeli activists traveled to a village in the West Bank on Friday, intending to bring a message of coexistence with Palestinians. But they were halted by Israeli soldiers. These rising tensions come amid a crisis of democracy in Israel. And, thousands of passengers were stranded in airports in Colombia and several other Latin American countries this week following the collapse of the budget airline Viva Air. It's the latest airline company to fold amid decreasing passenger demand and higher oil prices. Also, most salt production in Mexico is industrial. But a handful of Indigenous salt-makers are preserving an ancestral tradition of making artisanal salt that goes back 2,000 years. Plus, Nigeria reverses a decision on its new bank notes.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken unexpectedly met his Russian counterpart on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in New Delhi, India, on Thursday. But minimal actual dialogue seemed to take place amid deepening global rifts. And, Romania's Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă introduced his new adviser, Ion, an artificial intelligence assistant. Also, a multiagency assessment from US intelligence officials says it is unlikely that a foreign adversary is behind the cases of so-called "Havana Syndrome'' that has stricken American diplomats, defense officials and spies based overseas. Instead, the cases appear to have different causes, from environmental factors to undiagnosed illnesses. Plus, Nigerian author Ayòbámi Adébáyò talks about her new book, "A Spell of Good Things."
Bola Tinubu will be Nigeria's next leader, extending his party's rule. But the opposition is calling the election rigged and promising to challenge the results in court. And, African countries have mostly stayed on the sidelines of the Russia-Ukrainian war. Many African nations import large supplies of wheat and fertilizer from the two warring nations and they aren't eager to jeopardize those vital supplies by taking sides. Also, the United Nations estimates that the number of migrants crossing the dangerous Darien Gap will exceed the previous year. Approximately 60,000 children among them will face extreme violence, harsh weather conditions and hunger along the way. Plus, how ketchup kept this man alive for 24 days lost at sea.
Diplomats from many Arab nations are meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the first time since the country's civil war began in 2011, when most of them severed ties. The visits follow the devastating earthquakes that hit the region earlier this month. And, the Taliban restricted the media and freedom of expression when they took power in August 2021. In the last two months, there's been a crackdown on government critics who have been imprisoned alongside academics, journalists and former Afghan government employees. Also, the European Parliament has banned the Chinese short-video-sharing app TikTok from staff phones for security reasons. This follows similar actions taken by the governments of Canada and the United States in recent days. Plus, 76 years after a deadly massacre, Taiwanese people continue to commemorate — and debate — the tragedy.
Palestinian and Israeli delegations began peace talks in Jordan on Feb. 26, just as a Palestinian gunman killed two Israelis and settlers burned cars and buildings in the West Bank. And, millions of Nigerians cast their votes for a new president over the weekend. Many voters applauded improvement in the election process, but others experienced violence at the polls. Now, comes the wait for the results. Also, Belarusian officials will visit Beijing on Tuesday, just days after US officials announced they had gathered intelligence suggesting China is considering supplying lethal aid to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Plus, a UK publisher says it will continue to publish Roald Dahl's original books, despite their controversial terms.
One year to the day after Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a "special operation" in Ukraine, we look back at some of the turning points in the ground war, the humanitarian crisis and the political fallout across the globe. We also break down some of the statistics to help illuminate what this war has meant for those living through it. Also, the war in Ukraine is shaking up global alliances and deepening the divide between Moscow and Washington. Has Russia's President Vladimir Putin completely given up on nuclear arms control treaties? Plus, passing the hat at a Kyiv nightclub.
Nigeria, the largest country in Africa, holds elections on Feb. 25. Most voters are under the age of 30, and see this moment as a chance to throw out the old guard that has ruled for decades. And, since early 2023, police in Haiti have been targeted by gangs. Angry officers have been protesting the killings of their comrades, but also demanding basic guarantees to do their job. Also, we hear from Ukrainian college students of diverse backgrounds about how their priorities and expectations have changed over the last year. Plus, an extensive David Bowie archive will go on display in London, in 2025.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has won praise as a heroic defender of democracy in the face of Russian aggression. As the war enters its second year, what does the public expect from its president? And, attacks on the Kyiv area have receded and rebuilding damaged areas is underway. But homeowners say the Ukrainian government isn't providing enough financial assistance to cover the cost of repairs. Also, the White House has proposed new limits on asylum that presumes migrants are ineligible for protection if they didn't first apply in another country. The proposal is similar to the sharp limits instituted by the Trump administration. Plus, Seattle becomes the first US city to outlaw caste discrimination.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's lengthy speech on Tuesday laid out his view on the war in Ukraine. He said Russia would step back from its last major nuclear arms agreement with the US. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden focused on the US' unwavering support for its allies in an address given in Poland. And, Russia continues to throw men and munitions at Ukrainian forces in an effort to take control of more territory in the eastern regions of the country. Ammunition is running lower for both sides. Also, a new 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the already stricken Hatay province in southern Turkey on Monday evening, killing at least six people. Plus, feasts and festivals to celebrate the day before Lent begins.
Joe Biden showed up in the Ukrainian capital on Monday morning. The president's surprise visit to Kyiv coincides with the one-year anniversary on Friday of Russia's full-scale invasion. We'll hear from our team in the capital. Also, Poland has welcomed more than 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees since tanks rolled into Ukraine. But now, the Polish government plans to make some of them start paying rent. Also, Buckingham Palace has announced that Queen Consort Camilla, at the upcoming King's coronation, will not be sporting the Koh-i-Noor diamond in her crown. We'll hear about the history of the diamond that was seized by the East India Company in 1849.
Nigeria's central bank updated the country's currency, the naira. Now, ATMs are running short on the new bills, leading to frustration that's erupted into street protests this week. And, India is set to become the world's most populous country. However, the Indian government couldn't carry out its detailed 10-year census in 2021 due to the pandemic. Also, Armenia is going on the diplomatic defensive this week by reaching out to two of its neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan, in the hopes of achieving full diplomatic relations and peace. Plus, this displaced Ukrainian family visits their homeland.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government has tried to argue that Western sanctions against it are hindering its aid efforts to help earthquake victims. But US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield says she isn’t buying it. And, Moldova, a small, landlocked nation that borders Ukraine, finds itself in a tussle between Russia and the West. Also, Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai talks about the roots of misogyny and the plight of young women in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Plus, Gingee frames Filipino American identity through percussion.
US crews have located pieces of the Chinese balloon shot down off the coast of South Carolina earlier this month. In the last week, four more objects were shot down by the US. China is now accusing Washington of its own balloon espionage, which the US has denied. And, Crimean Tatars called Crimea their homeland for centuries. Now, Tatars who fled after Russia's 2014 invasion — and illegal annexation — of Crimea, say they will return. Also, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's leader who advocated for its independence, announced her surprise resignation on Wednesday. Sturgeon said she no longer feels she can give the job her all. Plus, Malala Yousfzai discusses radical hate and her Oscar-nominated documentary, "Stranger at the Gate."
Following the earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has faced a mountain of criticism for his government's handling of the disaster. We hear why Turkish citizens in the country's southern provinces are upset with Erdoğan's government right now. And, as rescue teams cull through debris to locate victims in Turkey and Syria, families keep vigil by the side of the road. Many have no electricity, running water or a safe place to sleep. Also, love knows no boundaries, but international borders can keep even married couples apart for years. Thousands of married couples are waiting for the US Embassy in Pakistan to interview one partner in order to get a green card. Plus, what can birds teach us about love?
Deaths from the Feb. 6 earthquakes in Turkey have climbed to more than 35,000. The country’s vice president said on Sunday that arrest warrants have been issued for over 100 people said to be involved in the construction of buildings that collapsed across the region. And, the epicenter of the earthquakes was 25 miles from Syria's western border, leaving a wake of destruction. Most of the damage happened in the northwest, where rebel-held areas have received little assistance. Also, immigration authorities in Argentina are investigating the large number of pregnant Russian women who have recently entered the country to give birth, as a way to obtain citizenship. Plus, "Teraki," an Ethiopian app, seeks to grow podcasts and audiobooks.
Across southern Turkey, countless numbers of people are sleeping outside, in tents or in their cars, worried about more powerful aftershocks following Monday's earthquake. More than 22,000 people are now believed to be dead in Turkey and Syria. And, anger mounts as emergency aid for Syrians slowly trickles into the northwest of the country. Also, Greek lawmakers voted to ban political parties whose leaders have been convicted of crimes in an effort to curb the political influence of violent far-right and fascist groups in the country. Plus, Norwegian and Arabic music share some similarities.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited areas in southeastern Turkey hit hard by a powerful earthquake on Monday and described it as "the disaster of the century." The estimated death toll has climbed to more than 20,000 people. And, badly needed aid is beginning to trickle into Syria, with six convoys entering the northwest to provide some relief to areas under rebel control. Also, millions of voters in Nigeria will take to the polls later this month to vote for a new president. But the country has been plagued by growing insecurity that is causing big problems for electoral officials. Plus, the world says goodbye to songwriter Burt Bacharach, who died at the age of 94.
In Turkey, it's taken two days for government aid to reach some of the areas hardest hit by Monday's devastating earthquakes, leaving residents and volunteers to manage rescue and relief efforts. And much of the areas in northern Syria hit hardest by the disaster had already been devastated by years of civil war, making it even more challenging to bring in humanitarian relief. Also, this corner of the globe sits at the intersection of three tectonic plates, including the Arabian Plate moving northward into Europe. We learn about the science behind these massive quakes. Plus, a campaign in France targets "macho" driving.
Syria's northern provinces were badly hit by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the region on Monday. Rescue efforts continue as aid trickles in through the border crossing between Turkey and northwest Syria. And, aid workers are also pouring into southern Turkey to help with earthquake relief efforts, but many victims are in rural areas that are tough to reach, especially in the winter. Also, the island nation of Kiribati is rejoining the Pacific Islands Forum, a regional alliance of 18 island states and territories. Kiribati left the group last year because its leaders said that concerns in Micronesia were not being addressed by the body as a whole. Plus, a bit of calm with "Ocean Blue."
Two massive, back-to-back earthquakes have left thousands dead and many missing or injured in the region of southern Turkey and northern Syria. We learn about the scale of devastation in a region where vulnerable populations are already struggling. And, the US missile that downed a Chinese surveillance balloon Saturday off the South Carolina coast may have taken with it efforts to repair US-China relations. One analyst says the incident might be seen as a “wake-up call” for officials from both sides. Also, Iran’s government plans on pardoning thousands of people held in its prisons since anti-government protests began late last year. But it's not clear exactly who will get released. Plus, a teen inspired this ocean cleanup project.
On Friday, the US postponed a planned trip by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing. This comes amid controversy over a Chinese surveillance balloon currently floating over the western US. And, Canada's western province of British Columbia is starting a three-year pilot program to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of heroin, meth, ecstasy, or crack cocaine. The program is part of an effort to fight a drug overdose crisis which has affected thousands in the province. Also, as violence erupts once again between Israelis and the Palestinians, can Arab nations that signed the Abraham Accords play a role in lowering tensions? Plus, an award for the best song for social change.
The US is gaining access to four additional military bases in the Philippines following a deal signed between the US and Philippines on Thursday in Manila. And, in recent weeks, US officials have loudly debated what weapons systems should be sent to Ukraine. But discussions about US goals and limitations in the war effort seem to be happening in quieter corners. Also, Shell and Exxon are reporting their biggest earnings ever for 2022, with Shell netting $40 billion and Exxon hauling in $56 billion. Plus, a song that pays homage to disappeared towns.
On Tuesday, Pope Francis arrived in Democratic Republic of Congo to begin what he's calling an "ecumenical pilgrimage of peace." Peace is expected to be his main message in DR Congo and South Sudan. And, the US says Russia is violating the New START treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms agreement between the two countries, by not allowing American inspectors into Russian nuclear weapons facilities. The Biden administration renewed the treaty for another five years in 2021. Also, Peru-bound travelers have been canceling their trips because of demonstrations throughout the country. Tourists at the iconic Machu Picchu archaeological site in Cusco were stranded recently as protesters sabotaged the region's train tracks. Plus, stunning 2,000-year-old gems were found down the drain of an ancient Roman bathhouse.
The International Monetary Fund says that economic growth worldwide will exceed their previous expectations. The IMF did have some bad news for the UK: Their economic outlook looks worse than Russia, which has been heavily targeted with economic sanctions. And, Tunisians voted in a runoff parliamentary election over the weekend. Only 11% of eligible voters actually came out to vote — the same level of participation in the first round of voting. Also, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to meet Palestinian Authority head, Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah on Tuesday. Many residents say they have low expectations about this visit helping to improve their quality of life. Plus, we hear about the challenges of supporting displaced Ukrainians.
On Monday, a suicide bombing targeted a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing over 30 people and injuring more than 150. The head of a group known as the Pakistani Taliban claimed on social media to have carried out the attack. And, a British Iranian consultant-turned-fixer for bribes has been sentenced to five years in prison in the United States. His work on bribes has tainted an estimated billions of dollars in deals across the Middle East and Africa. Also, Niger has one of the youngest, most vulnerable populations on the planet and many face an uncertain future. In much of the country, civilian abductions are rampant, and the government is at the mercy of bandits. Plus, why can't singer Seu Jorge name his baby Samba, the genre he's known for?
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will head to Egypt and onward to visit Palestinian and Israeli officials. He will arrive on the heels of an Israeli counterinsurgency raid that killed at least two civilians and ratcheted up tensions on either side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited South Africa this week. South Africa is planning on holding joint military drills with China and Russia on the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Also, 23 Jewish doctors forced to stay in the Warsaw Ghetto documented what starvation does to the body. Their book was recently rediscovered by a Tufts University professor. Plus, happy birthday to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born on Jan. 27, 1756.
The World Health Organization is calling for "immediate action" to protect children from contaminated cough syrup that has killed more than 300 children in Asia and Africa. The syrup has been linked to pharmaceutical manufacturers in India. And, Israeli soldiers conducted a raid on suspected militants in Jenin Camp, a Palestinian refugee camp. Their targets were members of Islamic Jihad, but civilians were also killed. Also, for the first time ever, China's military sent an aircraft carrier within hundreds of miles of US soil: the territory of Guam. Pentagon officials speculate that if China invades Taiwan, it will likely strike Guam. Plus, India bans a film that criticizes its prime minister.
Germany announced on Wednesday that it will send tanks to Ukraine to aid in its fight against Russian invaders. German support for the war in Ukraine marks a big shift in its defense policy. And in Canada, grocery store theft is at an all-time high. Some Canadians blame big grocery store chains for profiteering from inflation. Also, more than 50 people have been killed in Peru in protests that started a month ago, after President Pedro Castillo tried to dissolve the nation's Congress, got arrested and was then removed from office himself. Protests began in Indigenous areas and are are now being held in Lima, the capital. Plus, poet Robert Burns inspires global suppers.
Ukraine’s government has fired more than a dozen officials, including a top adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, amid allegations of corruption. And, despite Turkey's promise to enroll Syrian refugee children in school, 1 in 3 are not attending classes. In Gaziantep, families say they've been barred from enrollment. Also, Amsterdam's hash cafés are legal but weed is not — across the EU. The Netherlands and Germany are now trying to phase in legalized cannabis. Plus, the lost Chinese gehu instrument makes a comeback.
Somalia's government has stumbled in its all-out campaign to push the insurgent group al-Shabab out of cities and villages. On Sunday, militants laid siege to the Mogadishu mayor's office. And, climate-vulnerable nations around the world have turned to the courts to try to force faster action. The island of Vanuatu recently asked the United Nation's highest court to weigh in on climate obligations. Also, amid Lunar New Year celebrations in Taiwan, people are bracing for an increase in COVID-19 cases. But higher vaccination rates on the island should mean much less danger for family and friends. Plus, a beloved Bollywood classic heads to Broadway.
European defense ministers met on Friday with US and Ukrainian officials to discuss aid for Ukraine. The focus was on battle tanks for Ukraine, and the verdict is still out. And, ahead of the Lunar New Year this weekend in China, many people are gearing up for their first holiday trip since tight pandemic restrictions were lifted. Also, an Iranian Canadian musician known as "King Raam" fears he's being targeted by the Iranian government for his frank and emotional podcast. Plus, what do recent tech layoffs mean for visa holders?
Ukraine says it needs heavy tanks. US Adm. James Stavridis discusses how a tank delivery would make a difference in the war with Russia. And, a Canadian agency that sets national standards for alcohol consumption is recommending Canadians dramatically reduce their alcohol intake. Also, President Emmanuel Macron wants to raise France's retirement age by two years to 64. The government claims it's key to financing the public pension system. In response, trade unions launched a general strike. Plus, Shakira's latest release tops the charts.
Over the last year, nearly a quarter million Cubans have migrated to the United States. We hear about why people are making what is often a dangerous journey. And, a helicopter crash in a Kyiv suburb on Wednesday took the life of Ukraine's Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, leaving a gaping hole in the president's team. Also, many are looking to Brazil's new government, led by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, to help save the Amazon jungle. For the Karipuna people, ending deforestation and attacks on their land is key to their survival. Plus, a video of a Cape Town seal attack goes viral.
A man who claims to be a commander from the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary group fighting in Ukraine, has fled to Norway. He says he is prepared to testify against the Wagner Group's founder and leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, about extrajudicial executions committed by members of the group. And, Mursal Nabizada could have fled Afghanistan with a humanitarian visa. But the former lawmaker remained in Kabul after the Taliban seized power in 2021. On Jan. 15, gunmen killed Nabizada in her home. Also, a Canadian mining company is looking to build the largest gold mine in the Brazilian Amazon region. Nearby, riverside and Indigenous communities are concerned that the mine could destroy their environment. Plus, the fight for LGBTQ rights in Iran.
There are concerns of a potential surge in COVID-19 cases in China as people prepare to travel for the Lunar New Year. And, Ukrainska Pravda, Ukraine’s first online newspaper, continues to operate despite frequent air raids and intermittent electricity amid war. Also, around 70 people have died in a plane crash in the mountains of Nepal. Plus, we bring you a new version of a song written in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva appears to be consolidating support, almost a week after a mob of supporters of the previous president, Jair Bolsonaro, rampaged the seat of power in Brasília. And, human rights groups are raising alarms about the high number of recent death sentences and imprisonment of protesters in Iran. The United Nations has accused Tehran of “weaponizing” the criminal justice system. Also, Kenya's LGBTQ community is seeking answers about the death of gay fashion designer and model Edwin Chiloba. Last week, Chiloba's body was found shoved in a metal trunk in western Kenya. Plus, Sweden lifts a law requiring a permit for public dancing.
Scientists have confirmed that 2022 was among the hottest years on record. The world is closing in on the limit of keeping warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Is it still within reach? And, violence continues in southern Peru this week, spreading to the tourist city of Cusco on Wednesday, and prompting curfews in some parts of the country. At least 48 people have died during clashes between police and protesters. Also, Ukrainian Cpl. Andrii Shadrin, 27, serves in a military unit that repairs and replaces equipment damaged on the war’s front lines. From his makeshift base in Donetsk, Shadrin talks about what he’s seen in the besieged towns of Bakhmut and Soledar. Plus, Noma, Copenhagen’s fine-dining star, closes its doors.
Brazilian authorities detained more than 1,000 demonstrators after they invaded and vandalized Brazil’s Congress, Presidential Palace and Supreme Court on Sunday. Many may be charged under the country’s anti-terrorism legislation with attempting to carry out a coup. And, in Haiti, there are no longer any democratically elected representatives working in the federal government. The last 10 senators in Haiti's parliament left office on Monday night. Also, fresh on the heels of the North American Leaders Summit comes news that Canada has finalized a deal to buy 88 F-35 fighter jets from the US. The F-35s will replace Canada's aging fleet of fighter aircraft. Plus, move over rice — China says to eat more potatoes.
US President Joe Biden is in Mexico City for the last day of the North American Leaders Summit. While trade and environmental issues are part of the agenda, the big issue for Biden at this summit is what’s happening at the southern border. And, at a UN meeting in Geneva on Monday, Pakistan received more than $9 billion in pledges from international donors to help it recover and rebuild from last year's devastating floods. Also, the trial of 24 aid workers accused of espionage and fraud opened on the Greek island of Lesbos on Tuesday. Among them is Syrian aid worker Sarah Mardini, who was the inspiration for a recent Netflix film “The Swimmers.” Plus, Indonesia’s marginalized groups say the criminal code is more than just a ban on premarital sex.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had harsh words for those who stormed his country’s parliament, its Supreme Court and presidential palace this past weekend. We hear about the role Brazilian authorities and security services may have played in the rioting. And Sweden's prime minister said Sunday that Turkey has made demands on Sweden that his country "cannot — and does not — want to meet" to gain Ankara's approval for a bid to join NATO. Demands include Sweden and Finland joining Turkey's fight against banned Kurdish militants. Also, Ana Montes was a senior analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency when she was arrested by the FBI at her office in 2001. She had been spying for Cuba for decades. Now, she's been released from prison having served a 25-year sentence. Plus, a historic Christmas in Kyiv.
Mexican authorities in the city of Culiacan arrested Ovidio Guzman, the son of the notorious drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, on Thursday. In response, gunmen rampaged in the city streets, killing at least 29 people. And, rats are especially plentiful in the hills of Laos where they can eat 20% of the harvest. But rice farmers there take part in rat-killing tournaments that reward amateur hunters with cold, hard cash. Also, Belarusian opposition spymaster Aleksander Azarov discusses his work and ambitions for Belarus. Azarov is part of a cabinet of ministers organized by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who declared herself the winner of presidential elections in Belarus, but later had to flee the country. Plus, negotiations over the return of Parthenon (Elgin) marbles show signs of progress.
Pope Benedict XVI, who died at age 95, was laid to rest on Thursday following his funeral at the Vatican. We hear about Pope Benedict's legacy and where the Catholic Church goes from here. And Ukrainian officials say they have struck several barracks housing Russian soldiers in recent days. Russia now says it will impose a temporary ceasefire over Orthodox Christmas, beginning Jan. 6. Also, the Biden administration is expanding its use of Title 42 to begin rapidly expelling migrants from Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua. The new policies also offer legal entry into the US under humanitarian parole for a limited number of migrants. Also, Karim Younis, a Palestinian Israeli imprisoned for 40 years for killing an Israeli soldier, has been released.
A top Chinese epidemiologist says that China is now experiencing the first of three expected waves of COVID-19 cases in the coming months. International health experts predict there will be at least 1 million deaths from COVID-19 in China this year. And, the Philippine government is urging hundreds of top police officials to resign after a probe found a handful of officers were involved in the narcotics trade. Also, the Kremlin has long denied that many of its soldiers are dying in its war in Ukraine. That changed this week when Russian officials admitted that a single Ukrainian strike killed at least 89 troops in a New Year’s Day attack in Makiivka, in the occupied Donetsk region. Plus, the war in Ukraine prompts a shift in the global fertilizer market.
Several nongovernmental organizations have suspended their operations in Afghanistan after the Taliban banned women working for them. The ban comes at a time when over 28 million people in the country require aid to survive, according to the United Nations. And, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wept on Sunday as he vowed to reduce poverty and inequality as Brazil's returning president. Lula is moving fast to reverse four years of Jair Bolsonaro's right-leaning policies, but he'll be facing some stiff opposition. Also, former Pope Benedict, who died on Saturday at age 95, now lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica. We remember the conservative icon who struggled against church reformers. Plus, Canadian entrepreneur Craig Cohon has vowed to walk from London to Istanbul to capture the environmental cost of his own life.
The World is marking the new year by reflecting on some of its favorite music segments. Hear about how Spanish-language lyrics feel like the norm today, but wasn’t always the case. Also, Austrian British musician Alicia Edelweiss takes the stage with a heavy dose of glittery eye makeup, an accordion and a hula-hoop. Plus, hear about how the cuatro, the national instrument of Venezuela, is gaining in popularity.
Global leaders are descending on Brazil this weekend for the inauguration of the next president. It's a sign that Brazil will resume ties with many parts of the world that felt disconnected to the country during the previous government. We'll look at the incoming administration of the president known by one name, Lula. Also, some of the most memorable news of 2022, plus a few of our favorite stories we've brought you in the past year.
Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, who set all kinds of world records, died on Thursday at the age of 82. Also, the Biden administration announced that starting on Jan. 5, all travelers from China entering the US will need to present a negative COVID-19 test. How China is responding to the new rule and what it means for US-China cooperation around the pandemic. Plus, the Spanish Canary Islands, just 60 miles off the coast of the Western Sahara, has been a favorite tourist destination. But now it's a stepping stone for migrants trying to reach Europe.
The US Supreme Court says that Title 42 restrictions must stay in place at the southern border. But that's not the end of the legal fight over this Trump-era border policy. Plus, private security guards actually outnumber the police in Brazil. We'll hear about a training school for security guards. And Soviet cosmonauts during the Cold War communicated with mission control back in the USSR. For more casual conversation, they'd connect with a ham radio operator in Australia.
Over the last 24 hours, both Russian and Ukrainian officials have expressed interest in peace talks. But only on their own terms. Meanwhile, the fighting on the ground in Ukraine continues. Also, in Afghanistan, the Taliban is continuing to strip back more rights for women. Now, they can no longer work with nongovernmental organizations there. And what did Tyrannosaurus rex actually sound like? Hint: It's not like in the movies.
In this holiday special, The World brings you Sacred Nation stories that focus on how religion impacted people’s lives this year around the globe. An Iraqi Muslim has been helping to preserve Mosul’s Jewish history. Afro Brazilians fear attacks as evangelism grows in Brazil. An ally of Viktor Orban discusses the shifting ideologies of his political career. And a cult in Japan tries to recruit believers in the United States.
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Many people faced a variety of hardships around the world in 2022. But there was also much hope, with people coming together to help others out in their time of need. Today’s show shines a light on those who went out of their way this year to offer a helping hand. World renowned Spanish chef José Ramón Andrés made a trip to the frontlines of Ukraine’s war. A Syrian refugee tried to draw attention to his country’s plight through playing the piano in Germany. A neighbor helped a woman give birth at a temporary shelter in Pakistan. And a pub in Turkey is providing customers with a space where they can share their emotions.
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Waves of new COVID-19 infections are threatening to overwhelm China’s health care system after the government lifted its stringent quarantine restrictions. And, male faculty members in Afghanistan are standing in solidarity with women after the Taliban-led government decreed that they will be banned from attending universities. Also, Caribbean nations react to the Dutch prime minister’s apology for his country’s history with slavery.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is in Washington, DC, on a surprise visit and plans to address a joint session of Congress. Also, a library and center dedicated to the visual arts of Africa has opened in Accra, Ghana. And, the US Drug Enforcement Administration says it seized enough fentanyl to create 379 million lethal doses in 2022, twice last year’s amount. Plus, a massive spike in COVID-19 cases may not be appearing in government statistics, but they are showing up in videos and images across the internet.
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On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Belarusian capital of Minsk to meet with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. In Ukraine, there's been speculation that Russia is trying to further integrate Belarus into its military command, and increase Belarus' role in the war. And, US President Joe Biden is expected to sign an $843 billion defense budget that includes an alignment with Myanmar’s National Unity Government. This move could put the US at odds with Myanmar’s current military regime and with Russia and China. Also, before the World Cup, Qatar only had one stadium — now it has eight. What happens to these stadiums now that the games are over? Plus, an early Cézanne portrait has been discovered in Cincinnati.
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The once-elegant city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine has become the main battlefield in the with Russia. We hear why much is riding on the fight to control Bakhmut. And COVID-19 infections in China are spiking — jumping from very few cases to tens of thousands per day — and China’s government says that's OK. After years of “all-out war” on the virus, officials suddenly insist it’s actually not much worse than the flu. Also, the UN Biodiversity Conference, or COP15, concluded with a deal to mitigate wildlife extinctions, in part, by setting aside more land and sea for preservation than ever before. Plus, to kick off the Hanukkah season, we hear diverse stories from the Old City, Jerusalem.
The Dutch government is set to apologize for its role in 250 years of slavery, with a court in the Netherlands clearing the way to hold an official ceremony to mark the decision next week. And, following the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud paid a visit to Minneapolis, Minnesota, the home of the US’ largest Somali diaspora community. Also, negotiators are in Montreal, Canada, to try and halt the steep decline in biodiversity, but many activists worry that it could lead to Indigenous people being kicked off their ancestral lands. Plus, Cuba has authorized women to compete in boxing for the first time since former President Fidel Castro's revolution.
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The United States is poised to approve sending its most advanced ground-based air defense system to Ukraine, responding to the country’s repeated requests to help defend it against Russian missile and drone attacks. And, the United Kingdom is currently facing a number of labor strikes across different sectors. We hear how this is affecting the British economy, especially around the holidays. Also, NASA's new Surface Water and Ocean Topography satellite will map the Earth's water in minute detail, providing valuable and incontrovertible information to communities who are trying to manage climate change. Plus, a new type of owl has been found on the island of Príncipe — and now it’s endangered.
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Trump's pandemic border restriction — Title 42 — is set to expire next week. Thousands of migrants have traveled to the US-Mexico border, mostly to seek asylum. And, on Wednesday, a Turkish court sentenced the mayor of Istanbul to two years for using the term "fool" to describe election officials. The mayor, Ekrem Imamoğlu, is a political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Also on Wednesday, a lawsuit in Kenya was launched against the American social media giant Facebook. Ethiopian petitioners, along with a Kenyan legal organization, are arguing that the platform is putting profits over human rights by fueling hate and violence. Plus, New Zealand places a lifetime ban on cigarette sales.
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As the US-Africa Leaders Summit opens in Washington, DC, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield talks about the challenges that US officials face in trying to deepen ties with African nations, while countering the expanding roles of Beijing and Moscow across the continent. And, this month, the Udi people are celebrating 100 years since they established a home in the Republic of Georgia. Their unique culture is seeing a revival in interest, although the language is in danger of dying out. Also, South African lawmakers voted against accepting a committee report that would have led to impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The report said that the president held undeclared foreign currency at his farm in 2020. Plus, today, the oldest member of the K-pop supergroup BTS became the first of the bandmates to enter military boot camp.
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The man alleged to have transported the bomb that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988 that killed 270 people, is now in US custody. And, Canadian hospitals are struggling to cope with a recent surge in respiratory viruses, with children’s hospitals being especially hard-hit. Also, nurses in Northern Ireland walked off the job today, with more strikes planned in the UK throughout the rest of the month. Plus, a pair of dogs that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gave South Korean president Moon Jae-in four years ago are now at a zoo in South Korea after a dispute over who should pay to care for them.
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The UK, Japan and Italy are partnering together to build a sixth-generation fighter jet, set to be ready by 2035 and complete with the latest weapons. And, the Nobel Banquet for the awards ceremony is back in person this weekend for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Also, the vaccine alliance Gavi plans to stop distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to middle income countries. Plus, Congress has passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which will prohibit Americans from keeping tigers, lions and other big cats as pets.
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Russia has freed WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap. In exchange, the US released convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. And, the Iranian government has executed protester Mohsen Shekariput. State media said he was sentenced to death for “waging war against God” and attacking Iranian guards during a protest in September. Also, the US is plotting to return to the massive Subic Bay Naval Base and the Philippines, its current owner, is keen to let the US return. Plus, Russia and Ukraine battle over Crimea’s soccer prowess.
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German police conducted raids all across the country on Wednesday, making arrests, and attempting to dismantle a plot aimed at overthrowing the government. And, 50 years ago, the Apollo 17 Saturn V moon rocket crew took what would become one of the most iconic images from space: a photo of planet Earth — “the blue marble.” Former astronaut Mae Jemison reflects on it. Also, Peru's Congress has vowed to impeach President Pedro Castillo just hours after he announced he would dissolve the body. Plus, Taiwanese citizens react to the tumultuous protests in China over the strict “zero-COVID” policy that led to extensive lockdowns.
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For the second straight day, Ukrainian missiles are landing deep inside Russia. It's a sign that Kyiv is willing to risk widening the war that has raged since February. And, officials in Democratic Republic of Congo say 270 people have been killed in a massacre in the eastern parts of the country. They blame the armed group M23, which they say is being backed by Rwanda. Also, Indonesia's parliament has overhauled the nation's criminal code, replacing colonial-era laws. The new code introduces repressive measures including criminalizing extramarital sex outside of marriage. Plus, Morocco fans react to FIFA victory against Spain.
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Recent protests against China's strict zero-COVID policy took a lot of people by surprise. But they might have worked. The Chinese government is now taking steps to ease the rules around the pandemic lockdowns that sparked so much public frustration. And, Sudan's military government has come to an agreement with the main pro-democracy group to ease the country back into civilian-led rule. Also, the construction of 133 new radio telescopes in South Africa has begun. They are part of a project called Square Kilometer Array, which seeks to observe outer space phenomena in greater detail and in greater breadth. Plus, a new drought-resistant wheat strain has been developed.
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Britain's Prince William and Princess Catherine are in Boston on Friday to present his second annual Earthshot prize, awarded to innovators around the world working to save nature and combat global warming. And, the Syrian Democratic Forces, a majority Kurdish armed group, has announced it has ended cooperation with the US military in Syria. The announcement comes after the group said it would cease fighting ISIS following threats of a Turkish invasion in the region under their control. Also, amid a crackdown on dissent, Chinese authorities have trained their sights on banning Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, used to break past censorship. Plus, the classic Christmas song, “Carol of the Bells,” originated in Ukraine 100 years ago.
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa faces a threat of impeachment following a report that found evidence that he had violated the country's constitution, in part, by covering up the theft of millions of dollars in cash hidden in a sofa on his farm in 2020. And, after a vote in March agreeing to build a treaty that would essentially “eliminate all plastic waste,” negotiations via the United Nations have started this week in Uruguay in hopes of adopting a treaty before a set 2024 deadline. Also, Quebec Premier Francois Legault said on Wednesday that his first duty is reversing the decline of French in Quebec. He set a new goal requiring all economic migrants to Canada speak French for full acceptance. Plus, a map that shows fans where to legally drink beer before men’s World Cup matches in Qatar.
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Researchers are heralding a breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer's: a drug that is the first to slow the destruction of the brain. But it only works in the early stages of Alzheimer's and many people aren't diagnosed until the disease has already advanced. And, one of the more successful mystics in Japan says he’s a reincarnated alien from the planet Venus. He’s now intent on recruiting more believers in the US. Also, the United Nations agency for culture added the French baguette to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Plus, we hear about Chinese leader Jiang Zemin’s economic legacy.
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NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Tuesday that Russia was using winter as a "weapon of war" against Ukraine. Ukraine's allies prepare to send aid to get through the cold months ahead. And, in Colombia, ranchers are experimenting with a new kind of grass in the hopes of building a sustainable cattle farm. Also, as the uprising in Iran enters its third month, dissidents are finding few places to run for safety. Those who have fled to Iran are facing an increasing number of threats online and in person. Plus, the UN and Australia are at odds over the Great Barrier Reef’s endangered status.
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Protests have erupted across China, a rare show of public dissent against the government there. Also, in Toronto, young activists are showing up at the City Council's meetings, trying to steer the direction of planning and make it a more affordable city. Plus, the latest news from the World Cup, on and off the field, including a preview of the much-anticipated match between the US and Iran on Tuesday and the controversy that's already brewing.
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As evidence of atrocities continue to surface in Ukraine, calls for war crimes tribunals are growing. Putting a leader on trial isn't easy though. Today, The World looks back at the trial of Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, who oversaw the ethnic cleansing and bloodshed that enveloped the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. A pivotal witness against Milosovic was someone on the inside. Also, millions of Ukrainians are without heat and power after another round of brutal Russian air strikes. But Ukrainians remain largely united in their resolve. One case: Ukraine's philharmonic continued to play, even in the darkness. And, the death toll from an earthquake in Indonesia this week has topped 300. At least two dozen people are still missing. We speak with an emergency aid worker about the challenges they're facing. Plus, Thanksgiving may just barely be over, but cities across Europe are already geared up for Christmas. That normally means elaborate light displays and temporary ice skating rinks. But with the war in Ukraine and high energy bills, some cities are doing things a bit differently this year.
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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.
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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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Learn more here: https://on.prx.org/3FhIeDG*
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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared martial law in four regions of Ukraine that were annexed last month by Moscow. The move also gives additional emergency powers to officials in eight Russian regions adjoining Ukraine. And, underprivileged schools in Uganda, Chile, the Philippines, and Scotland have won a competition for world's best schools, run by T4 Education digital platform which also awarded the schools with large cash prizes. Also, it’s been more than a month since protests have rocked Iran, sparked by the death of a young woman allegedly over how she wore her hijab. We hear from three women protesters from different generations in Tehran. Plus, a “plain language” bill passes in New Zealand.
The UN secretary-general sparked controversy on Monday when he called for an international “armed action” in Haiti to reopen a port closed by armed gangs. The US and Canada sent armored vehicles and other supplies to Haiti’s national police this past weekend, but some Haitians are skeptical. And many Central Americans who fled their homes last week during Hurricane Julia are returning and assessing the damage. Severe storms and flooding like this can lead to an increase in migration to the United States. Also, in northeastern Turkey last Friday, 41 people died in a coal mine explosion. Victims’ families and union organizers are calling for greater safety measures, but criticizing the state-run mine can be risky. Plus, Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka wins the Booker Prize.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia's military leadership has been in flux. Most recently, Gen. Sergei Surovikin has been appointed as Russia's new commander charged with leading its war effort in Ukraine. And Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán often aims criticism toward philanthropist George Soros, who is Jewish. This constant demonization of Soros, along with comments about Christianity being under threat, is making some within the Jewish community there deeply uncomfortable. Also, the driest nonpolar place on earth, the Atacama Desert, is currently covered with carpets of colorful blossoms. This natural spectacle only happens once or twice every 10 years, prompting the Chilean government to declare this region as a national park earlier this month. Plus, Khruangbin, a psychedelic rock band from Texas, teams up with Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Toure.
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.
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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.
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 Monday, 260 Ukrainian fighters surrendered at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. The troops were taken to areas under Russian control and now face an uncertain fate. Also, Secretary-General António Guterres says that the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine has fueled unprecedented world hunger. In just two years, the number of food-insecure people has doubled to over 276 million worldwide. And Australian bands Hermitude and The Jungle Giants have teamed up to create a feel good vibe with their tune, "When You Feel Like This."
For weeks now, baby formula has been hard to find in some US states. Amid pandemic supply chain issues and a formula plant shutdown, global trade policy is also responsible for the crisis. And on Tuesday, an armed opposition group tried to take power in Tripoli, Libya’s capital, sparking armed clashes between rivals. We hear about the challenges Libya faces toward the establishment of a unity government. Plus, Biniam Girmay of Eritrea became the first Black African to win a stage of one of cycling's Grand Tours. But he had to pull out of the race after a freak eye injury at the winner’s podium.
Ukrainian troops in Mariupol fought against Russia's military onslaught for more than 80 days. Now, after weeks of siege at the Azovstal steel plant, the last Ukrainian fighters mounting Ukraine's resistance have ended their defense. And as Sweden and Finland take steps toward joining the NATO military alliance, NATO member Turkey is saying no. We hear about the factors behind Turkey's decision and what it means for NATO. Plus, fuel is running critically low in the island nation of Sri Lanka. The country’s new prime minister warns that only a day’s fuel supply remains.
Sweden has announced its intent to apply for NATO membership in an historic break with its neutral security policy in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And Turkey is closely watching Pennsylvania’s Senate race as Dr. Mehmet Oz, a dual Turkish and US citizen, edges ahead in recent polls for the state’s Republican primary on Tuesday. Opponents accuse the TV-doctor-turned-politician of conflicting loyalties. Plus, the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, over the weekend is not simply a domestic phenomenon. A growing, global network of extremists online played an important role in the shooter’s radicalization.
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 continues to target Ukrainian civilians, with revelations of possible war crimes committed in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha. Most countries, including the US, have responded with more sanctions. What impact does economic pressure have on Vladimir Putin’s war effort? And, the United Kingdom’s government has promised to ban the discredited practice of conversion therapy. But this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the ban does not include transgender and nonbinary people. Plus, Orizaba Peak is home to one of Mexico’s last glaciers, and it’s melting, leaving 2 million people at risk of losing their water supply. Restoration efforts are underway.
Six weeks into the war in Ukraine, Russia’s military efforts are now targeting the eastern part of the country. As Russian troops retreat from Kyiv, journalists have been able to further document atrocities taking place there. And on Thursday, a Turkish court said it was moving the trial of the 26 Saudi nationals linked to the grisly murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia. Plus, an enormous planet is being observed at a remarkably early stage of formation — upending our current understanding of how planets are formed.
The European Union has announced a ban on Russian coal. Squeezing Russia's energy exports is seen as the way to get Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw from Ukraine. But global sales of oil and gas — not coal — are the real contributors to Russia's coffers. And Human Rights Watch says that more than 300 civilians have been executed in an isolated village in Mali that is controlled by Islamist militants. The killings were reportedly conducted by the Malian army and contracted by Russian soldiers. Plus, losing one’s sense of smell and taste to COVID-19 is bad enough. But when it comes to those who rely on their senses for work — sommeliers, chefs, perfumers — the loss comes at an especially high cost.
At a meeting of the UN Security Council, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for Russia's removal as a permanent member and an investigation into possible war crimes by Russia's military. But Russia's veto power at the UN Security Council is a fundamental challenge. And in 2016, Ukraine enlisted the US military to help overhaul its defense systems — everything from recruitment to field hospital management. This has contributed to Ukraine's impressive performance on the battlefield against the much better-equipped Russian military. Plus, many economists say that Russia’s blitzkrieg on Ukraine has sped up a “decoupling” of the global economy. It started when the pandemic led to border closures. Now, Russia’s war in Ukraine is exacerbating that trend.
Eye witnesses have been reporting atrocities not just in Bucha, but also in other areas in the outskirts of Kyiv and throughout Ukraine. Ukrainian Oleksii Vostretsov was trapped in Bucha for 22 days at the start of the war and tells his story. And the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sends a clear message: There’s still time to hold off catastrophic climate change — but not much. Emissions are still rising and need to fall by nearly half by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Plus, hundreds of Russian dissidents who challenged Vladimir Putin’s government have settled in nearby Tbilisi, Georgia. Now, they’re working to support their fellow Russians and protest the war from afar.
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.
Russian forces continue to bombard Ukrainian city centers throughout the country. The bombing campaign has intensified in the south of the country, in cities like Mariupol and Mykolaiv. And Ukrainian poet Iya Kiva is no stranger to war. In 2014, she had to flee her hometown of Donetsk. Now, she is a refugee again, enduring war, loss and trauma. Plus, Russian President Vladimir Putin has used the term “denazification” in Ukraine to justify Russia’s invasion. We learn about the deeper historical context behind this particular narrative within Russian propaganda.
The small country of Moldova has hundreds of Russian troops based in the breakaway region of Transnistria, a sliver of territory that sits along the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. Russia’s invasion into Ukraine makes for anxious times for this non-NATO country. And the Ukraine refugee crisis has triggered billions of dollars in relief aid to help those displaced by the war. How does the new refugee crisis affect the world's capacity to help refugees fleeing from other crises? Plus, US President Joe Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday in a call intended to warn Beijing against supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. We learn more about what arrows Washington has in its quiver to dissuade China.
European infrastructure and processes are fast developing to receive tens of thousands of new refugees. We hear about the challenges for Europe as large numbers of refugees arrive from war-torn Ukraine. And the war in Ukraine has threatened to limit Brazil’s supply of fertilizer from Russia. Now, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wants mining expanded on Indigenous lands to create a domestic fertilizer source. Plus, architect Diébédo Francis Kéré makes history as the first African to win the esteemed Pritzker Prize — the highest honor in architecture. Kéré, who grew up in Burkina Faso, has dedicated his career to creating structures out of scarce resources with the community in mind.
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.
The Russian military continues to bombard Ukraine’s city centers, including civilian populations. “We’ve hardly slept for seven nights,” Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an address to the nation, adding that rest is not possible until there’s victory. And, Syrians also know what it's like to be on the receiving end of Russia's military might. Russia has carried out bombings on hospitals, schools and markets in Syria in an effort to keep leader Bashar al-Assad in power. Plus, hundreds of athletes and international sport federations have demanded the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the upcoming Paralympics in Beijing. But on Wednesday, the International Paralympic Committee announced that the athletes will be allowed to compete — under neutral flags.
On the sixth day of Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, Kharkiv, the second-largest city, remains under attack. Rocket strikes from the Russian military are hitting the city, including Kharkiv's central square, a city government building, the city's opera house and the ballet theater. Also, Belarus has supported the Russian military’s push south to take control of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. They also hosted the first attempt at negotiations between the Russian government and Ukraine this week. Plus, Ukrainians citizens are stockpiling homemade petrol bombs — Molotov cocktails — to defend their streets. We hear the story of one Ukrainian brewery that has chosen to bottle up gasoline instead of beer for ordinary Ukrainians to ignite and hurl in self-defense.
Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine, is often described as the country’s most Russia-friendly city. Now, Russia forces have unleashed a brutal assault on the city, including a barrage of rockets that fell in residential areas, killing dozens of civilians — including many children. And several European countries are stepping up their response to the Ukraine crisis: Germany is taking a U-turn on defense spending and military aid for Ukraine, and Norway's massive, sovereign wealth fund is selling off Russian assets. The European Union is also closing air space to Russian planes. Plus, as Russia continues to invade Ukraine, they’re also fighting an information war. Russian state media continues to spread propaganda as Ukraine attempts to push back against disinformation and rally citizens to defend the country.
The battle for Kyiv is underway. Explosions have been reported as close as half a mile from the president's headquarters, a large apartment building has been hit by shelling and the Ukrainian military is defending the city's bridges. Hear the latest from Kyiv and what it all means for Ukraine. Also, thousands of Russians have turned out for anti-war protests in more than 50 cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. Demonstrations were followed quickly by arrests. We hear from some of these protesters about how the invasion of Ukraine looks to them. Also, Poland is seeing a large uptick in people crossing into the country as Ukrainians flee the Russian invasion. And, we look at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s history in Ukraine, Belarus and purported meddling in US election politics.
Early this morning, Russia began a full-fledged assault on Ukraine. Multiple cities and military bases are under fire as part of Russia's military offensive. In Kyiv, residents woke up to the sounds of blasts in and around their city. And some US military observers see the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a sort of “shock and awe” effort, aimed at cowing a possible Ukrainian resistance. We hear why some military experts think Russian troops will have a hard time stabilizing an occupied Ukraine. Plus, Turkish pop-star Tarkan just released "Geçcek," or “It Will Pass.” On the surface, the song speaks to getting through the pandemic, but many say it’s a veiled way to express the imminent end to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s rule.
Ukraine declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, calling up its reservists aged 18 to 60. This follows Russian troops moving into the separatist-controlled Donbas region of Ukraine. And new US sanctions target Russia’s sovereign debt and two large Russian financial institutions. But critics say they’ll be ineffective. Plus, a German shepherd’s meteorite-hit dog house just sold for more than $40,000 at Christie's annual auction of rare and unusual meteorites from space.
In response to Russian troops entering eastern Ukraine, US President Joe Biden spoke today about sanctions against Moscow. European Union foreign ministers also adopted widespread sanctions against Russia. Also, we hear about a massive data breach of Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse and what this revelation says about Switzerland's banking sector. Plus, Los Angeles-based musician Sasami shares stories and music inspired, in part, by Japanese spirit folklore, with her latest album, "Squeeze."
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently said that his administration is recognizing the independence of the so-called Dontesk and Luhansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine. What’s at stake with this recent development? And Africa was declared free of wild polio in 2020. But the disease is now back with the detection of a case in a young child in Malawi. Plus, the 2022 Winter Olympics have come to a close in Beijing after 109 events in which nearly 3,000 athletes soared, skied and skated.
Tensions continue to heighten on the Ukraine-Russia border. The US says Russia has increased its troops at the border, as fighting continues between Russian-backed groups and Ukrainian government forces in eastern Ukraine. Some Ukrainians fear that Russia is creating the pretext for an invasion. And France plans to build 14 new nuclear reactors by 2050, in an effort to cut back on carbon emissions, but Germany is heading in the opposite direction, shutting down its nuclear plants. Plus, meet the fantasy coffin makers in Ghana, who make colorful caskets in shapes that pay homage to a deceased person's profession or passions: a lion for a village leader, a microphone for a broadcaster or a seed pod for a farmer.
Nine years after intervening in Mali to drive out ISIS, France is now withdrawing its troops. France's relationship with Mali's junta military government deteriorated recently. Also, COVID-19 infections are down by nearly 20% worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. While parts of the US have seen dramatic declines, Hong Kong and New Zealand are experiencing surges of new cases. Plus, we hear about Ukraine and Russia’s complex, tangled history that goes all the way back to the 9th century.
After meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Russian leader Vladimir Putin declared that Moscow would “partially pull back troops” from the Ukrainian border. But NATO leaders are not convinced that Putin has decided to step back from the brink. And, following years of drought and war, Afghans now face severe food shortages in parts of Afghanistan, leaving many hungry. Also, Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennet was in Bahrain on Tuesday in the first visit of its kind by an Israeli prime minister.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that it’s pulling some troops back, away from Russia’s borders with Ukraine. Residents living in Kharkiv, near the Russian border, are keenly aware of what’s at stake. And the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, has only been out of office for three weeks. He’s now facing extradition to the US. Plus, musician Luke Sital-Singh had a religious upbringing, with Indian and Jamaican roots. Now an atheist, he's been thinking about faith with his new single, "Me & God.”
The so-called Freedom Convoy blockades in Ottawa and other cities began as a protest against vaccine mandates for truckers. Their actions have energized a small but growing far-right movement in Canada. And similar protests have popped up in Europe, where people are trying to convene in a convoy in Brussels to protest against pandemic restrictions such as vaccine mandates and passports. Plus, even the casual figure skating fan might notice how often Ravel's “Bolero” is used as a soundtrack at the Olympics. Why do figure skaters love it so much?
Ontario has declared a state of emergency as bottlenecks on the US-Canada border worsen due to protesters in trucks in front of Parliament in Ottawa. Also, Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva made history by being the first woman to land a quadruple jump in the Olympics. Now, the 15-year-old is making headlines after her drug test came back positive. Plus, a 60-year-old museum security guard in Russia drew eyes on painter Anna Leporskaya's "Three Figures," using a ballpoint pen, on his first day on the job.
The US dealt a major blow to ISIS in Syria last week by assassinating its top leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. But that doesn’t spell the end of the terror group that once controlled large swaths of territory across Syria and Iraq. And in Ukraine, many citizens say that in the event of an all-out Russian invasion, they’re prepared. Some have decided to join the Kyiv Territorial Defense Forces, where they learn to bear arms to defend their country. Plus, India's first feature documentary to be nominated for an Academy Award tells the story of the only news agency in India run by Dalit women.
A court in India will decide whether young women attending schools and colleges in the Southern Indian state of Karnataka can wear their hijab to class. Six young women who were barred from college for wearing the Muslim head scarf filed suit, sparking protests and mobs across Karnataka. And refueling after grueling competition is crucial for Olympians. With so many COVID-19 restrictions in Beijing preventing athletes from eating at restaurants, Olympic dining halls are more important than ever. Plus, Danish pop superstar MØ is out with her third album. After collaborations with Justin Bieber and Major Lazer, MØ decided to rewire and work with Scandinavian women.
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.
ISIS fighters have carried out deadly, sophisticated attacks on a prison in northeast Syria since last Thursday. The prison holds hundreds of ISIS members, among them children who were brought to the caliphate by their parents. And, Jan. 26 is officially Australia Day, but to Indigenous communities, it's Invasion Day. In 1972, an Indigenous demonstration in front of the Canberra Parliament building became a major turning point for Indigenous rights in Australia. Plus, Olavo de Carvalho, a self-proclaimed philosopher whose ideas helped fuel a far-right resurgence in Brazil, has died of COVID-19.
Five former members of a civil defense were found guilty Monday of sexual assaults that occurred during Guatemala’s civil war. The men raped dozens of Indigenous women. Also, omicron is hitting Brazil hard, with record-high COVID-19 numbers. Indigenous communities are especially struggling with vaccination rates amid this new wave. Plus, Tennis Australia initially defended its policy against spectators wearing T-shirts at the Australia Open that refer to the whereabouts of tennis star Peng Shuai. But after swift and fierce blowback, Australia’s tennis authorities backed down, saying T-shirts are OK — but not banners.
Amid the standoff between Russia and Ukraine, the US and other Western countries continue to provide Ukraine with military assistance. Now, the Biden administration is weighing sending more troops to countries like Poland and Romania to reinforce NATO allies in Eastern Europe. Also, the rate of global chemical pollution exceeds the planet’s ability to absorb it, threatening the stability of ecosystems and human health. Plastic pollution, pesticides, and industrial materials are top concerns, according to a new study. Plus, the tiny Pacific island of Tuvalu has struck a deal with US-based internet company Go Daddy to manage its highly coveted internet address: .tv.
As COVID-19 cases rise in China, even by small numbers, the government continues to take drastic measures to contain the outbreaks. Measures include a hamster cull in Hong Kong, and thousands stuck in shopping malls for 48-hour quarantines in Shanghai. And US State Department officials traveled to Sudan this week to help mediate the ongoing political crisis in Sudan following the military coup in October. They condemned the use of "disproportionate" force against protesters. Plus, more than 700 years ago, the poet and Sufi mystic Rumi started spinning as a form of meditation. The practice of his modern descendants, known as the "whirling dervishes,” is misunderstood and between commercialism and tradition, even in Konya, where it began.
Ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue as Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops near its border with Ukraine. What will Russia's President Vladimir Putin do next? Also, US President Joe Biden’s foreign policy team has brought experience and an emphasis on diplomacy to US engagement abroad. But that hasn’t always been enough to prevent crises from spiraling. Plus, Joy Crookes is one of the UK's breakout recording artists from the past year. Born in London to a Bangladeshi mother and Irish father, she is a student of history and brings the same rigor to her music.
International aid is beginning to mobilize for Tonga after an underwater volcano erupted on Saturday. But officials are concerned that admitting aid workers will bring COVID-19 into a country that has remained almost entirely free of the coronavirus. And Cubans who took to the streets to demonstrate against their government last July are paying a heavy price. Dozens have appeared in court in recent weeks, and some are facing decadeslong sentences. Plus, do you have a doppelgänger somewhere out there in the world? When Francois Brunelle was younger, people told him he looked like the main character in the British sitcom, "Mr. Bean." He now captures photos of unrelated "twins" across the globe.
The island of Tonga's isolation is impacting efforts to meet humanitarian needs or to even assess conditions days after the volcanic eruption. The Tongan government has called the situation an "unprecedented disaster." And in Mexico on Monday, journalist Margarito Martínez Esquivel was shot dead outside his home in Tijuana. Authorities have launched an investigation, but details remain unclear. Plus, women in Malawi who don’t fit into social norms have sometimes been accused of witchcraft. Former colonial rulers attempted to curb witchcraft accusations by imposing laws, but citizens often don’t respect or legitimize these laws.
Pandemic trivia: Which country has the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in the world? The answer is the United Arab Emirates. The UAE boasts a vaccination rate higher than 90%. We look into what's driven the country’s massive success. Also, in the Arctic, the ground is literally disappearing. Roads, bridges and infrastructure are built on permafrost. But with climate change, that's starting to thaw. Plus, tensions are on the rise in Bosnia. Experts are calling this its worst crisis in more than 25 year as Bosnian Serbs seem poised to pull out of the government that they share with Bosnian Croats and Muslims.
About 30 migrants are currently being detained in the same hotel where tennis star Novak Djokovic stayed, putting the spotlight once again on Australia’s controversial immigration policy. The migrants were transferred from the country’s offshore immigration detention camps to receive medical care, but will not be able to stay in Australia. Also, Japan is pointing fingers at the US military for its uptick in omicron cases, reigniting long-standing grievances over the impact of US soldiers stationed in Japan. And, the hit game Wordle has gone global as people around the world create versions in their own languages.
A German court has convicted former Syrian army colonel Anwar Raslan of crimes against humanity, handing him a life sentence. It’s the world’s first trial related to state-sponsored torture under Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. And after a seven-month ban, Nigeria has restored access to Twitter, after the social networking giant agreed to a number of conditions that may permit tighter government control of social media. Plus, the lights went out in Argentina this week after a heat wave led to a higher demand for power, putting a strain on the electrical grid. The power outages led to protests in several Buenos Aires neighborhoods.
Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Tuesday that he had a sore throat after testing positive for COVID-19 for a second time. He then downplayed the illness, saying “it’s like a cold.” And Russia has used an array of tools to destabilize its adversaries, including coercive cyber activity. Yesterday, several US security agencies released an advisory report detailing specific cyber tactics in the Kremlin's toolbox. Plus, we hear from the “lonesome yodeler” of Sudbury, Ontario. During the pandemic, he’s been sharing his vocal talents in the hopes of making lockdown a bit less lonesome for his city.
When it comes to global travel, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has four levels of COVID-19 risk advisories for countries, from low to very high. Omicron surges have put many more countries at level four, including Canada. And today marks 20 years since the first detainees filed into the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. US Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden vowed to shutter the facility, but more than three dozen men remain there in legal limbo. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought Bulgarians back home after thousands emigrated abroad. Many are now wondering if the new returnees will stay and help bolster the EU's poorest country.
Tianjin, a large city near Beijing with 14 million people, reported 41 COVID-19 cases over the weekend. With the Winter Olympics less than a month away, the city is carrying out round-the-clock, mandatory COVID-19 tests. And students and teachers in Uganda reunited today, after nearly two years of COVID-19 shutdowns. We hear why many Ugandan students still won’t be returning to their classrooms. Plus, tango is one of the most famous musical genres coming out of Argentina, but its history is steeped in sexism. Now, some tango musicians are part of a movement to write songs with a feminist lens.
In Kazakhstan, protests, turmoil and violence continue after liquified gas prices recently doubled. The country’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said today that he gave orders to security forces to open fire without warning at people he’s calling "terrorists." And airlines are required to fly up to 80% of their schedule to retain their assigned slots, but reduced demand for air travel has led some airlines to fly “ghost flights” to keep competitors from securing the coveted spots. Also, before you put your Christmas tree on the curb, consider repurposing it in the kitchen. The concept may be new to some, but people around the world have been cooking with pine, fir and spruce for centuries.
Imagery from the Jan. 6 insurrection on the US Capitol has made for powerful propaganda in the hands of extremists abroad. We hear from an expert about how US insurrectionists have inspired neo-fascist groups around the world. And with just one month until the Winter Olympics begin in Beijing, China’s zero-COVID-19 policy will impact how the games run. Plus, the King Cake culinary tradition unites many French families on Jan. 6, Christianity's Epiphany Day. Whoever finds a small baby Jesus figurine in their slice becomes king for the day.
Canada's government has pledged to award a $31.5 billion settlement to families in order to begin to repair the damages by a discriminatory system that has removed tens of thousands of children from their parents over the decades. And, scientists in South Africa have made major discoveries about the behavior of the omicron variant, but most of the continent continues to lack vaccine access. We hear from the director of Africa’s Center for Disease Control on lessons learned so far from Africa. Plus, Preet Chandi is the first woman of color to complete a solo, unaided trek to the South Pole. The British Sikh army officer said she braved extreme conditions, in part, to be a role model to other Asian women and people of color.
In recent months, our lives have been dominated by the delta and omicron variants, but now there might be another one lurking — temporarily named IHU. How do variants get classified as a “variant of concern”? And 24-year-old singer Silvana Estrada is one of Mexico’s most promising young talents. We hear about her upcoming debut album, “Marchita,” and her first headlining US tour. Plus, Canadian farmers on Prince Edward Island are stuck with enough potatoes to fill 25 hockey stadiums due to an outdated export ban. The crop has since been declared virus-free but the ban persists, leaving the island with a bit of a potato crisis.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has stepped down just weeks after he was reinstated by Sudan’s military. The move comes amid street protests responding to the military-led coup in October. And the Daoist goddess Mazu is revered on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The devout make pilgrimages to Fujian province to pray for the return of Taiwan, which they consider a "renegade province," not a separate country. Plus, 30 years after a Chinese man was abducted, he had an emotional reunion with his biological mother after drawing a map of his childhood village from memory.
Happy New Year from The World! For this holiday show, we’ve pulled together a sampling of some of our favorite music features and interviews over the past year. Steeve Valcourt of the band Lakou Mizik talks about how they use music to shine a light on their country's culture and history, while Pakistani composer and musician Arooj Aftab discusses writing songs about transition and loss from her home in the US. And, how Radio Garden helped people tune into different stations around the globe during lockdown.
Earlier this year, the Biden administration discussed offering migrant families that had been separated under the Trump administration $450,000 in compensation per person. But those negotiations ended this week. Families will not be getting anything — at least for now. Plus, the Chinese city of Xi’an remains under COVID-19 lockdown protocols, restricting movement for some 13 million people. And the pandemic has hit Chinatowns in cities across the United States hard. Now, residents, business owners and activists in Los Angeles' Chinatown have conflicting visions for the neighborhood's future, as they address challenges that have become starker during the pandemic.
Hong Kong authorities have shut down pro-democracy news organization Stand News on Wednesday in another blow to press freedoms. At least 50 media organizations have ceased operations since the passing of the National Security law. And a decade of war has decimated Syria's health care system. Bombings continue in Idlib province, the last remaining opposition-held area, posing major challenges for doctors and health care workers as they battle COVID-19. Plus, food blogger Joanne Lee Molinaro has millions of followers on TikTok and not just for her delicious plant-based Korean recipes. The Korean Vegan joins us to talk about the deep connection between food and family.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
Israel is administering a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to a test group of health workers in the country’s largest hospital. They say it’s the first major study into whether it will help contend with the fast-spreading omicron variant. And across the globe, extreme poverty rates continue to decline. This phenomenon is powered by continued economic growth in places like India and China, but how sustainable is this positive trend? Also, for more than 30 years, Memorial International has been Russia’s most prominent human rights organization, with a founding mission to archive Soviet-era crimes. On Tuesday, Russia’s Supreme Court shut down the organization.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
We remember Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize-winning Anglican cleric. The longtime activist for racial justice and LGBTQ rights died over the weekend at the age of 90. And omicron seems to be retreating in South Africa. Health care workers stretched thin during the surge are now able to catch a break. Also, 30 years ago, the red Soviet flag came down from atop the Kremlin, and the new Russian tricolor flag was raised. Sunday marked 30 years since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
The pandemic — and social isolation — has been especially hard on people in long-term care. We hear from a toddler and his mom in Canada who wanted to bring a little joy to residents at a retirement home. Also, Zandile Ndhlovu, South Africa's first Black free-diving instructor, is trying to change the story of who belongs in the water. Plus, how many times over the past 20 months have you answered, “I’m hanging in there,” when asked: “How are you doing?” We hear responses from all over the world to that age-old question. Happy holidays from The World.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
As many Americans travel to see loved ones for the holidays, COVID-19 rapid tests are in short supply and often expensive. We hear from a disease expert about how affordable testing options can result in better community health. And the long-awaited election in Libya was set for Dec. 24, but it has been called off, even though the current government’s term is set to expire. What does this signal for future discord in a country that has managed to avoid internal conflicts since 2020? And public attitudes about psychedelics have run the gamut, from excitement to vilification. Today, a crop of entrepreneurs and investors are betting that psychedelics will be the next big thing.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
As millions around the globe prepare to gather for the holiday season, omicron is taking hold in more and more countries. It’s now the dominant COVID-19 strain in the United States, Denmark, Portugal and the United Kingdom. And as snow falls in Kabul, Afghanistan, humanitarian workers are bracing for a difficult winter. We hear about a domestic abuse shelter for girls and women that is struggling to remain open. And omicron has interfered with Christmas plans in the Holy Land. Israeli authorities have banned most foreigners from visiting the country.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
Shab-e Yalda is the Iranian celebration of the winter solstice when families gather to eat, dance, sing and recite poetry. It's all about honoring the slow return of daylight as the shortest day of the year comes to an end. Like any good celebration, food plays a vital role. And one of the ways Russia exerts its power across continents is through mercenaries known as the Wagner Group, which has strong ties with the Russian military. Last week, the European Union sanctioned the organization, accusing it of “serious human rights abuses.” Plus, in a forest outside of Norway, 1,000 spruce trees planted in 2014 are quietly growing — for a “future library.”
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
Omicron is driving the surge in new infections of the coronavirus around the world. Public health colleagues across the globe have been calling for a robust "vaccine-plus" strategy to meet the current moment. And Sudan’s pro-democracy revolution has taken a heavy toll on civil society. Activists say more than 200 people have been killed by security forces in recent years and that this is the reason why anti-military protests will continue. Plus, a security camera has captured the moment when a real deer attacked a fake Rudolph featured in a holiday scene on a couple’s lawn in Fort Nelson, in northern British Columbia.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
Hong Kong will hold its first election under a new system imposed by Beijing — one in which every candidate must be a so-called “patriot,” meaning they must show pride in mainland China. Hong Kong politicians who question Beijing can’t run, and some have been locked up. And US President Joe Biden recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, hoping to deescalate tensions between the two countries, but Russian troops have not retreated from the border with Ukraine. In fact, the military buildup continues. Plus, “Sounds of Disappearance,” a soundtrack of Australia’s threatened birds, aims to raise awareness about biodiversity loss. This week, the soundtrack leaped to third in the country’s music charts — outcompeting ABBA, Justin Bieber, and Christmas music.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
Haitian police say kidnappers have released all the remaining missionaries they held from an Ohio-based missionary group Christian Aid Ministries. The notorious Haitian gang 400 Mawozo had seized 17 members of the group exactly two months ago. And Amazon has officially launched its smart speaker, Alexa, in Arabic. The service is now available in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But creating smart speakers that can understand Arabic has its own set of challenges. Plus, how are international students dealing with COVID-19 shutdowns at US universities? New York University, which has the largest population of international students in the country, just canceled almost all in-person gatherings and events and have mandated booster shots for all students.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
As part of The World's regular series of conversations about the pandemic, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Ana Langer, Professor of the Practice of Public Health and Director of the Women and Health Initiative at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health about the pandemic-related challenges that are affecting women around the globe.
Police in Germany foiled an assassination plot against the state of Saxony's political leader. The group behind the plot was reportedly angry about the country's COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout. And in Sudan, anti-military demonstrations continue nationwide after the military coup in October. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was reinstated but now he must create a new government after a wave of official government resignations. Plus, the Swedish city of Gävle has put up its annual Christmas goat, a 100-foot-tall straw structure that’s regularly burned down despite the town’s attempts to secure it with webcams and guards.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more andmake your gift today.
Rates of transmission of omicron continue to rise a day after the United Kingdom announced its first death from this latest variant of COVID-19. We hear from a leading epidemiologist about what we've learned since omicron was first announced. Also, leaders in Iran want people to have more children. To reach this goal, they have passed new legislation that limits access to contraceptives and abortions. Plus, Yemen's junior national soccer team scored a victory in the West Asia Cup over Saudi Arabia. Although Yemenis remain divided over the Saudi role in their country's ongoing war, they were united in celebration over their team's win.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK's first reported death from the omicron variant of the coronavirus and said restrictions were in place to help mitigate an upcoming tidal wave of cases. Now, Brits are lining up for booster shots and bracing for new restrictions during the holiday season. Also, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has taken a hard line against his political opponents. That's led members of the Belarus Free Theater to conclude that they need to leave the country. Plus, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken dropped a playlist on Spotify for his Southeast Asia trip to Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar. It includes a rock ballad called “Terlalu Manis,” or “Too Sweet,” by Slank, one of the most popular Indonesian rock bands ever.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
New Zealand's new smoking ban — for those who are 14 and under — is a step toward eventually ending all cigarette sales in the country. It impacts the nation's Maori and Pacific Island communities, in particular. Also, the tragic death of more than 50 migrants in a trailer-truck crash in southern Mexico highlights the dangers faced by migrants globally. And, we remember the Japanese video game pioneer who created Nintendo.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
To understand the new omicron variant, travel restrictions and how people can better prepare for the upcoming festive season, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Stephen Kissler — who is a research fellow in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — as part of The World's regular series of conversations about the pandemic.
The Biden administration received bipartisan criticism in the Senate this week over the fate of the Guantanamo Bay detention center. The camp has been open for nearly two decades and several US presidents have vowed to close it. But it remains open with some 39 prisoners still behind bars. And a Hong Kong court charged three prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy figures, including media mogul Jimmy Lai, with unauthorized assembly for taking part in a vigil to mark the Tiananmen Square massacre. Plus, if you’ve searched for a new TV series lately, perhaps you’ve stumbled upon Turkish dizis. Don’t call them telenovelas or soap operas, though — they’re in a category of their own.
There is still time to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Your gift ensures that all our coverage on the air, on the web, and via the podcast remains free and accessible to everyone. With a donation of $130 (or $11/month), host Marco Werman will personally thank you on the podcast! Learn more and make your gift today.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied that a Christmas party was held at 10 Downing street last December during a pandemic ban on indoor parties, despite new video evidence. It could undercut the impact of an announcement of new omicron-related restrictions in England. And US President Joe Biden is holding a virtual "Summit for Democracy" this week as part of a White House effort to advocate for democracy as a governance style recently on the decline. Plus, we hear new music from an ensemble of musicians from Iran, India and the US. Their project, “This Pale," features an open interpretation of the love poetry of Rumi, the 13th-century mystic and writer.
Every day, our incredible team brings you powerful human stories from diverse perspectives you can’t hear anywhere else. Without your support, none of it would be possible. Help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000 by giving $130, or $11 per month. Thank you for being a part of our fall drive, and making our work possible!
US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Tuesday via video conference. At the top of their agenda: the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In recent months, Russia has been building up its military presence on Ukraine’s border. And on Wednesday, Germany gets a new chancellor and a new coalition government. After 16 years, Angela Merkel will be replaced by Olaf Scholz as the country’s new leader. Plus, billionaire Michael Steinhardt has surrendered 180 stolen objects worth $70 million and has been barred for life from buying antiquities. This comes after a four-year multinational investigation found that his illegal purchases had been smuggled from 11 countries via 12 illicit networks.
Every day, our incredible team brings you powerful human stories from diverse perspectives you can’t hear anywhere else. Without your support, none of it would be possible. Help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000 by being one of 515 supporters giving $130, or $11 per month. Thank you for being a part of our fall drive, and making our work possible!
The White House has announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics, slated to begin on Feb. 4. The decision was due to China’s “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.” Also, the most prominent political leader in Myanmar, 76-year-old Nobel prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, was given a four-year prison sentence on Monday. Hours later, the head of the military junta lowered her prison term to two years. Plus, before the Beatles invaded the United States, their record label attempted to get them to sing two of their big hits in German. They did well — it turns out they could speak passable German and French — but grudgingly.
Every day, our incredible team brings you powerful human stories from diverse perspectives you can’t hear anywhere else. Without your support, none of it would be possible. Help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000 by being one of 515 supporters giving $130, or $11 per month. Thank you for being a part of our fall drive, and making our work possible!
Efforts to vaccinate people to stop the spread of the pandemic in conflict zones, including Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and Ethiopia — where even basic humanitarian aid is often hard to come by — continue to be hampered. The coronavirus pandemic has made the situation worse, with lockdowns and overstretched services affecting efforts to reach vulnerable populations. As part of The World's regular series of conversations on the pandemic with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with a panel of experts about the difficulties of vaccinating populations in conflict areas.
See more discussions in our series here: https://www.theworld.org/categories/coronavirus-conversations.
A UNICEF analysis of various studies has revealed “higher levels of depression, fear, anxiety, anger, irritability, negativity, conduct disorder, alcohol and substance use and sedentary behaviors, compared with pre-pandemic rates” among children and adolescents from mostly high and upper middle-income countries from around the globe. As part of The World's regular series of conversations about the pandemic, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Karestan Koenen, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, to discuss the challenges surrounding the mental health impacts of the pandemic on children.
See more of the Coronavirus Conversations series here: https://www.theworld.org/categories/coronavirus-conversations.
The US Navy has become a steady presence in Vietnam. It's part of a strategy to help Vietnamese forces stand up to China, which is beefing up its military presence in the area. But just how far will the US go in its relationship with Vietnam’s military? Also, in the past few weeks, we've been hearing a lot about the migration crisis in Europe. At the center of the storm are Iraqi Kurds fleeing the semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq. Now, many are being flown back to northern Iraq and having to restart their lives with very little. Plus, the new director of Interpol is the former minister of the interior from the United Arab Emirates. Critics want him removed for his spotty record policing his own country with allegations of abuse, even torture.
Every day, our incredible team brings you powerful human stories from diverse perspectives you can’t hear anywhere else. Without your support, none of it would be possible. Help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000 by being one of 515 supporters giving $130, or $11 per month. Thank you for being a part of our fall drive, and making our work possible.
In Britain and other parts of Europe, at-home COVID-19 tests have long been available for free and have become a part of everyday life. Now, US President Joe Biden is trying to beef up access for at least 150 million Americans with private health insurance. And, Russia has been moving thousands of troops to its border with Ukraine in recent months. Tensions between the two countries are now at a high point. Also, fighting around Yemen’s oil-rich city of Marib has intensified. The last northern Yemeni city loyal to the Saudi-backed Yemeni government is surrounded on three sides by Houthi forces, which may be a critical turn in the yearslong civil war.
Every day, our incredible team brings you powerful human stories from diverse perspectives you can’t hear anywhere else. Without your support, none of it would be possible. Help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000 by being one of 515 supporters giving $130, or $11 per month. Thank you for being a part of our fall drive, and making our work possible.
The new omicron variant of COVID-19 is a reminder to the world that the pandemic is far from over. At the same time, nearly 200 countries reached a historic pandemic treaty agreement on Wednesday, focused on global preparedness and response. Also, Lebanon has 18 recognized religious sects and sectarianism is built into the Lebanese political system. We hear about how some Lebanese people involved in the protest movement are advocating for a different path. Plus, historians consider Riverside, California, as the birthplace of the Korean American community, known as Pachappa Camp. It’s a little-known story now getting attention in an exhibit at the University of California at Riverside.
Thank you to everyone who donated on #GivingTuesday! There’s still time to make your gift. So many have already answered the call and donated to ensure our nonprofit newsroom can continue our work for another year! But we still need 230 more donors to donate $130, or $11/month, to reach our funding goal before the end of the year. And every gift takes us one step closer to our goal. Donate today to add your name to the list of listeners who are #WithTheWorld.
Germany has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe. The country is now edging closer to mandatory vaccines for the coronavirus with lawmakers set to vote on the issue before the end of the year. And, five years ago, Colombia’s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed a peace agreement. Since then, deforestation has been on the rise as cattle ranchers, loggers, miners, subsistence farmers and criminal groups move into areas formerly controlled by them. Plus, at midnight, Barbados removed Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state and installed Governor General Sandra Mason as its first president. We hear from Barbados’s poet laureate Esther Phillips about the Caribbean nation's efforts to grapple with its brutal colonial past.
Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work providing you with relevant, fact-based and human-centered news from across the globe. From the initial pitch, to the chase, to interviews, to writing, to production, to broadcast, every story from The World requires careful input and touches from many different members of our nonprofit newsroom. The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom.
Become one of 515 donors to make your gift of $130, or pledge $11 monthly before Nov. 30, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000. We need your help now more than ever — give today!
It might seem intuitive to limit travel to curb the spread of the new omicron variant. But researchers have found that these kinds of standalone bans may do more harm than good. And, Honduran leftist candidate Xiomara Castro held a big lead early Monday as voters appeared to oust the conservative National Party after 12 years of rule. Also, Saudi Arabia recently announced a sudden ban on all Lebanese imports in response to critical comments made by the Lebanese minister of information about Saudi Arabia's role in the war in Yemen. Now, workers in Lebanon are feeling the pain.
Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work providing you with relevant, fact-based and human-centered news from across the globe. From the initial pitch, to the chase, to interviews, to writing, to production, to broadcast, every story from The World requires careful input and touches from many different members of our nonprofit newsroom. The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom.
Become one of 515 donors to make your gift of $130, or pledge $11 monthly before Nov. 30, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000. We need your help now more than ever — give today!
The World Health Organization has announced after a meeting on Friday that the new omicron variant of COVID-19 “has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning.” Also, a major resurgence in vinyl is putting a strain on the few record plants left to press them, as well as the chemical used to make the vinyl. And, many people are wondering where their purchases are as they get stuck in the backlogs of global supply chains.
Chef Eric Ripert of the famed New York restaurant Le Bernardin doesn't just prepare food, he has a spiritual experience with it. Ripert tells host Marco Werman about how his Buddhist practice influences his cuisine. French winegrowers are feeling the impact of heat, drought, and other changes in weather patterns. The taste of water is often glazed over. But a growing group of professional water sommeliers is hoping to bring the world's attention to the different kinds of water. And, a columnist in The Washington Post met a firestorm of online protest this summer when he dismissed Indian cuisine by describing it as "based entirely on one spice."
Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work providing you with relevant, fact-based and human-centered news from across the globe. From the initial pitch, to the chase, to interviews, to writing, to production, to broadcast, every story from The World requires careful input and touches from many different members of our nonprofit newsroom. The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom.
Become one of 515 donors to make your gift of $130, or pledge $11 monthly before Nov. 30, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000. We need your help now more than ever — give today!
Thursday is Thanksgiving, a time for families to gather, but COVID-19 is surging across the US, and many parts of the world. So, is it OK to let our guards down for a meal? To answer that, and give us the latest on all-things-COVID, we turn to the nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Also, kids here in the US were always taught to say "thank you." But a well-intentioned thanks is not always the same in other languages and cultures. And, when you think of samosas your mind might go to India or the Middle East. But in East Africa, they are a popular treat from Kenya, to Somalia, to Uganda.
Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work providing you with relevant, fact-based and human-centered news from across the globe. From the initial pitch, to the chase, to interviews, to writing, to production, to broadcast, every story from The World requires careful input and touches from many different members of our nonprofit newsroom. The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom.
Become one of 515 donors to make your gift of $130, or pledge $11 monthly before Nov. 30, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000. We need your help now more than ever — give today!
Many immigration rights advocates want an end to detention at facilities. But proponents and current immigrants under surveillance say alternative methods, like ankle monitors or cell phone tracking apps, have taken a toll on their health. Also, when the Beatles swept the world in 1964, it didn't take long before Argentina’s local bands began imitating its sounds. Argentine rock musicians, inspired by the Beatles, started to speak up against human rights violations taking place in the ‘60s and ‘70s. And, we hear from Afghanistan’s first female commercial airline pilot, Mohadese Mirzaee, who is now living in exile in Bulgaria.
Lebanon’s electric company is only able to provide power to residents for a few hours a day. For the rest of the time, people have no choice but to rely on private generator businesses, which in turn, has created its own set of problems. And, ahead of Chile's presidential elections next month, far-right candidate José Antonio Kast and leftist Gabriel Boric will compete for the position. Plus, American popstar Justin Bieber is performing in Saudi Arabia next month. Saudi youth are celebrating the concert as a sign of their country’s increasing openness, but some analysts say the kingdom may be whitewashing its human rights record.
The International Olympic Committee has announced a new framework for transgender and intersex athletes this week. In part, the guidelines say no athlete has an inherent advantage just because of physical appearance, gender or intersex identities. The guidelines also move away from using testosterone levels alone to determine eligibility. And we hear the personal story of Sofie Lovern, a Mexican American standup comedian from Oakland, California, who converted to Islam as a young adult. Plus, Shohei Ohtani has been called the Japanese Babe Ruth. Now, the Los Angeles Angels’ player has won the American League’s MVP award, making him the second Japanese-born player to score the big win.
Leaders from the US, Canada and Mexico are holding their first in-person meeting on Thursday in the first summit of its kind in five years. Each brings conflicting interests in issues of migration, trade and the pandemic. And capitol rioter Evan Neumann is wanted by the FBI for his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Neumann recently turned up in Belarus hoping to seek asylum there. Plus, climate change and environmental degradation are two ways that China is paying a price for its fast-paced economic growth over the past 20 years. In Shanghai, a Chinese performance artist has some unusual ways of raising awareness about pollution.
Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work providing you with relevant, fact-based and human-centered news from across the globe. From the initial pitch, to the chase, to interviews, to writing, to production, to broadcast, every story from The World requires careful input and touches from many different members of our nonprofit newsroom. The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom.
Become one of 515 donors to make your gift of $130, or pledge $11 monthly before Nov. 30, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000. We need your help now more than ever — give today!
Soaring pollution levels in New Delhi, India, have prompted officials to indefinitely close schools and some coal-based power plants. We hear from a climate analyst about the health implications and causes of the smothering smog. And, the Biden administration has announced a major new investment in vaccine manufacturing, with an aim to help address global inequalities. But critics say it doesn’t get to the root of the problem. Plus, since the 1950s, Mexican painter and intellectual Frida Kahlo has been revered as a feminist icon. One of her famous self-portraits just sold for nearly $35 million — more than any other work of art from Latin America.
Migrants remain stranded at the Poland-Belarus border, attempting to cross into the EU and seek asylum. What does the escalating tension mean for Europe? And the virtual meeting between US President Joe Biden and China’s Premier Xi Jinping was big news in China, with state media calling it a success. We hear reactions from China. Plus, archaeologists in Israel say an amethyst ring they uncovered recently was likely used as a hangover cure in the third century. We hear about a few other hangover remedies that have gathered faith over time.
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The UN climate summit wrapped up this past weekend, issuing a set of agreements that use the strongest language yet to convey the gravity of the climate crisis. But nearly every climate envoy or minister at the meeting left Glasgow saying more still needs to be done — and fast. And Britain's terror threat level has been raised from "substantial" to "severe" following an explosion outside a hospital in Liverpool in the UK on Sunday morning. One man died at the scene and four men have since been arrested. Plus, master djembe player Weedie Braimah has a new album, “The Hands of Time,” where he shows off the djembe's range and power.
COP26 President Alok Sharma has said that the summit will be a success only if it keeps the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius alive. But it’s extremely unlikely that countries will commit to those kinds of carbon cuts at the summit. Also, Nov. 13 marks the sixth anniversary of the coordinated terrorist attacks at the Bataclan concert hall and six other sites in Paris. This year, it comes amid a major trial against the 10-man group that carried out the attacks. Plus, ever wonder what happens if a large asteroid goes on a trajectory to hit planet Earth? NASA is now testing a solution called the Double Asteroid Redirection Test — or DART — and they say it’s the world’s first planetary defense mission.
The crisis along Poland's border with Belarus has escalated over the last few days with thousands of migrants stranded there in near-freezing conditions. Barbed wire separates the two countries. Polish authorities are now planning to build an 18-foot wall along its border, and 12 other EU countries are also considering border walls. And, we take a look at a day in the life of a climate negotiator from the island nation of Palau, as he fights for his country’s future at the UN climate summit in Glasgow. Also, the US marks its first Veterans Day following the war in Afghanistan. We hear reflections from one US veteran who fought in the war there.
For years, developing countries have been lobbying for money through the United Nations system to pay for damages and losses from climate change. Where does the finance issue stand now? And, Dearborn, Michigan is home to many immigrant populations, but especially Arab Americans. Last week, the city elected its first Arab American Muslim mayor, Abdullah Hammoud. Plus, forced migration can be the most painful experience of one's life. Thousands of Afghans have experienced this since last August, when the Taliban took over. They all made last-minute decisions about what to leave behind or take with them. We hear from two women and their final decision.
Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work providing you with relevant, fact-based and human-centered news from across the globe. From the initial pitch, to the chase, to interviews, to writing, to production, to broadcast, every story from The World requires careful input and touches from many different members of our nonprofit newsroom. The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom.
Become one of 515 donors to make your gift of $130, or pledge $11 monthly before Nov. 30, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000. We need your help now more than ever — give today!
On the border between Belarus and Poland, there's been an ongoing standoff between thousands of migrants — mostly from Africa and the Middle East — and Polish border guards. EU countries, like Poland, have been steadfast in their attempts to deny entry. And, this week, many foreign travelers were finally allowed to enter the US, after a year and a half of intense travel restrictions. But New Zealand remains one of the most closed-off places in the world — even for citizens to reenter — proving most challenging for separated families. Also, the Biden administration has approved the sale of 280 air-to-air missiles for the Saudi air force. While bomb sales to Saudi Arabia are still on hold, the US is reluctant to block all weapons sales as leverage to encourage Riyadh to improve its human rights record or end its war with the Houthis in Yemen.
The European Union’s climate chief said during the ongoing COP 26 conference in Glasgow that talks must focus on meeting the headline goal of the Paris agreement. Former US President Barack Obama spoke on the sidelines of the conference on Monday, saying President Joe Biden's climate package will be “historic,” while welcoming the efforts of bipartisan US support in working toward slowing down global warming. Also, pressure is building for more Haitians to migrate by sea, as The World’s Monica Campbell shares first-hand accounts of the latest. And, an app at a Swiss university tries to use augmented reality to help people overcome arachnophobia.
Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work providing you with relevant, fact-based and human-centered news from across the globe. From the initial pitch, to the chase, to interviews, to writing, to production, to broadcast, every story from The World requires careful input and touches from many different members of our nonprofit newsroom. The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom.
Become one of 515 donors to make your gift of $130, or pledge $11 monthly before Nov. 30, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000. We need your help now more than ever — give today!
The latest high-profile #MeToo case in China involves a tennis star making accusations against a former high-level Communist Party official. The Chinese government has attempted to silence the tennis star, but activists within China and the diaspora continue to share the story. And, a monthslong drought in parts of Kenya is endangering the livelihoods of millions of people who rely on livestock. Scientists say drought occurs more often due to climate change. Kenya, like many African countries, is requesting more climate finance to help communities at the COP26 conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Plus, we get a taste of the first-ever Habibi Festival of contemporary Arab music, with a special song by Alsarah and the Nubatones, written in 2019 in solidarity with fellow Sudanese protesters.
Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work providing you with relevant, fact-based and human-centered news from across the globe. From the initial pitch, to the chase, to interviews, to writing, to production, to broadcast, every story from The World requires careful input and touches from many different members of our nonprofit newsroom. The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom.
Become one of 515 donors to make your gift of $130, or pledge $11 monthly before Nov. 30, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000. We need your help now more than ever — give today!
Veteran US diplomat and hostage negotiator Bill Richardson traveled to Myanmar this week, raising hopes for the release of American journalist Danny Fenster, who's been detained by the military junta for five months. And thousands of Afghans are still trying to flee Afghanistan or are somewhere en route to a new home. The US and Canada have historically been the world's two leading countries for refugee resettlement, but they've struggled to meet the needs of this group. Also, in Russia, the number of daily COVID-19 cases and deaths have increased across the country, with new record highs in both categories. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a nationwide nonworking period to curb the spread of the virus.
Less than two months ago, thousands of Haitians were encamped under a bridge in Del Rio, Texas, just at the Mexico border. Some migrants were eventually let into the US, but the majority were deported to Haiti, often after living away from the country for years. And in Afghanistan, Afghans desperately need foreign aid to get through the winter. But the international community doesn’t want to prop up the extremist Taliban government, which presents a moral dilemma. Plus, how many times over the past 19 months have you been asked, “How are you?” A lot. We hear how answers to that question get expressed around the world.
Help The World unlock a matching gift of $67,000 by donating to our fall drive before Nov. 30! It takes a village to run The World, and that includes listeners like you who provide critical financial support to our nonprofit newsroom. With your support, we can continue to bring you powerful human stories from diverse perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else. Give today.
France and the UK have been caught up in a bitter dispute — about fish. Each government accuses the other of contravening the trade deal on fishing licenses in the English Channel. The French are threatening to block British fishing boats disembarking into the country unless the UK does something to resolve the matter. And, Saudi Arabia says it will plant millions of trees and capture carbon to combat climate change. As one of the world’s top oil producers, the country has also pledged to cut down its greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2060. Plus, Russian, Chinese and European tourism agencies are planning on bringing tourists back to Syria next year. But how ethical is it to visit a country still officially in a state of civil war?
The first day of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow was loaded with urgent warnings and a slew of pledges from developed countries to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Also, at least 5 million people have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center. We hear from a health expert who helps contextualize this number. Plus, Ado Campeol, the so-called “father of tiramisu,” died on Saturday aged 93. Campeol was a restaurant owner in Treviso, Italy, close to Venice, and is given co-credit for inventing the dessert back in 1969. But Alda Di Pollo, his wife, originally came up with the idea.
Help The World unlock a matching gift of $67,000 by donating to our fall drive before Nov. 30! It takes a village to run The World, and that includes listeners like you who provide critical financial support to our nonprofit newsroom. With your support, we can continue to bring you powerful human stories from diverse perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else. Give today.
The 26th UN climate summit, or COP26, begins on Sunday. It's frequently called the “last, best chance” to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. In Sudan, civil disobedience continues against the military coup and arrest of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Doctors have gone on strike along with other professionals. Mass protests are planned for Oct. 30. Also, thousands of homes have been destroyed on La Palma, one of the Canary Islands in Spain, due to the Cumbre Vieja volcano which has been erupting for more than a month.
The World Meteorological Organization is warning that sub-Saharan Africa could see a 3% drop in the gross domestic product by 2050 as a result of climate change. The UN agency says changing precipitation patterns, rising temperatures and more extreme weather will contribute to mounting food insecurity in Africa. And Sudan's ambassador in Washington, Nureldin Satti, says he will "resist the military coup" back home. The Sudanese military seized control of the government in Khartoum on Monday, detaining top government officials. Plus, as President Donald Trump’s top Russia adviser, Fiona Hill had a ringside seat for G20 gatherings in Rio de Janeiro, Hamburg, Germany, and Osaka, Japan. Hill joins The World to preview this year’s G20 gathering and discusses the significance of “no-shows” like China and Russia.
Haiti is running out of fuel. The severe fuel shortage has intensified because gangs are blockading fuel supplies at ports located in areas controlled by them. And we hear from Osama, who grew up in the West Bank during the first and second intifadas. A chance encounter with a group of Jewish people made him question his own prejudices and he now works for peace. Plus, a court in Madrid has ruled that a couple, now separated, will have joint custody of their dog. The ruling recognized the people as "co-carers” so that Panda, the dog, will now alternate between two homes.
Demonstrators have taken to the streets of Khartoum, Sudan, in an attempt to bring down the top military generals who seized power Monday. And, we hear from Dean Issacharoff, who could hardly wait to join the Israeli army at age 18. The beatings of Palestinians made him question his allegiances, but when he spoke out against the attacks, the military turned against him. Also, later this month, the United States will challenge a UK judge's ruling on Julian Assange's extradition to the US. The judge originally rejected the extradition over concern for Assange's mental health.
The armed forces in Sudan have detained the country's prime minister along with other top officials and dissolved the joint civilian-military government that was steering the country toward democratic reform in an apparent military coup. And Afghanistan will restart nationwide polio vaccinations after more than three years. The new Taliban government agreed to assist the campaign and will allow women to participate as front-line workers. Also, jump-rope contests are popular entertainment on Chinese TV. Now, parents are sending their kids to jump-rope cramming schools for another reason — gaining an edge on their test scores.
Over the past decade, the Israeli government has been cozying up to Moscow. On Friday, new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett traveled to Russia for the first time and met with President Vladimir Putin at a resort in Sochi, Russia, to discuss Israel and Russia's “special relationship.” Also, the Netflix series “Squid Game” is a dark comedy about a competition that emerges from Korean culture, but has widespread appeal. We speak to a psychiatrist who explains why the new show resonates so far and wide beyond South Korea. And, since the summer, Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko has been sending Syrian and Iraqi migrants across its borders into EU countries such as Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. The Lukashenko regime has also continued to clamp down on political dissent, this week raiding one of the few independent news outlets, Novy Chas.
So far, many have considered France's presidential election next April a close race between President Emmanuel Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. But recently, far-right columnist and TV commentator Eric Zemmour has been soaring in opinion polls, throwing the race wide open. And, court battles are keeping the Biden administration from completely undoing the Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy. It's kept thousands of asylum-seekers waiting in Mexican border towns while their asylum petitions move through US courts. Plus, blues-rock musician Pascal Danaë and his trio, "Delgrès," has a new album called “4 a.m.” Danaë tells us about how his ancestors in Guadeloupe, and seeing his great-great-grandmother's affidavit of her freedom from slavery in 1841, influenced the trio's new album.
A Brazilian Senate Commission investigating President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the COVID-19 crisis in Brazil issued its final report on Wednesday, accusing him of crimes against humanity. The 1,200-page report details malfeasance, the blocking of needed health measures, and the illegal use of public funds. And in Syria, two roadside bombs that detonated under a bridge hit a bus in Damascus on Wednesday, killing 14 people. It’s a sign that despite the Assad government’s recent efforts to normalize relations abroad, Syria’s civil war still rages. Also, after days of speculation, North Korea says it had test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine in order to enhance its undersea capabilities. It's the first such launch since 2016, and it comes as the US, South Korea and Japan meet to discuss restarting talks with Pyongyang.
Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad spearheaded the Trump administration’s negotiations with the Taliban that forged an agreement for the withdrawal of US forces. Critics say the talks were a fig leaf, offering cover for a quick US withdrawal. And Russia is ending its diplomatic engagement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The move by Moscow is in retaliation for NATO's expulsion of Russian diplomats from its Brussels office earlier this month. Plus, filmmakers Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin tell us about "The Rescue," their documentary about the massive effort to save 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand.
One of the most notorious gangs in Haiti is holding hostage a group of American missionaries, including children. The country has the highest kidnapping rate in the world. The threat of being taken hostage is one that Haitians— rich and poor alike — face every day. And when people in the US and the UK donate clothes they don't want anymore, those clothes end up for sale in a massive secondhand market in Accra, Ghana. But the boom in quickly made, inexpensive clothing around the world has led to an environmental crisis in countries like Ghana. Plus, TikTok has come a long way from its lip-syncing days for Generation Z. Now, innovators are using the app to help teach and spread the word on Indigenous languages across the globe.
In the United Kingdom, Conservative Party Member of Parliament David Amess was stabbed to death on Friday in his constituency of Leigh-on-Sea, England. The 69-year-old father of five had served in Parliament since 1983 and was known politically as a social conservative and prominent campaigner against abortion. Also, in the last chaotic days of US operations in Afghanistan, Najibullah Quraishi was there reporting as the Taliban took over the country. Quraishi, whose documentary, “Taliban Takeover,” just premiered on Frontline, gives us an unvarnished view of the new Afghanistan. Plus, The Wizard of New Zealand, Ian Brackenbury Channell, is out of a job. The Christchurch City Council has decided to stop paying him to provide public acts of wizardry.
Gunfire erupted on the streets of Beirut on Thursday, killing six people. The violence erupted when armed supporters of Shiite militant and political groups, Hezbollah and Amal, marched through a Christian neighborhood in protests against the judge presiding over the August blast investigation. And police say a bow-and-arrow attack in Norway Wednesday night in which a man is suspected of killing five people appears to be an "act of terror.” It’s the worst attack in Norway since Anders Breivik, the far-right extremist who killed 77 people in 2011. Plus, The World remembers Irish musician Paddy Moloney, master of the uilleann pipes, slide whistle and penny whistle, and co-founder of the Chieftains.
The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it will lift travel restrictions at Canadian and Mexican borders to tourists, shoppers and casual visitors who can show proof of vaccination. This will boost business on the Mexican side of the border, as people are free again to drive into Mexico from the US. And, the European Union pledged 1 billion euros in aid to Afghanistan on Tuesday, earmarked for humanitarian assistance and stabilization efforts for Afghanistan and its neighbors. Also, we speak to Nobel Prize-winning author Abdulrazak Gurnah about his commitment to telling migrants stories of injustice and cruelty. Gurnah says the ongoing trauma of colonialism and themes of exile and belonging continues to inform his literary work.
Delegates from around the world are meeting this week in Kunming, China, in the first part of a high-stakes UN biodiversity summit. The goal is to create a kind of Paris Agreement to protect the globe's plants and animals over the next decade. And, a harsh new bill is being proposed in Ghana that would punish members of the LGBTQ community as well as their supporters and advocates. Also, dozens of State Department nominees are being stalled in the US Senate. Only about a quarter of national security positions have been filled to date.
The US is grappling with its identity today. Is it Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? Or neither? Depends on where you live. In Spain, there's little doubt — Columbus Day is a massive celebration, referred to as the National Day of Spain. This year in Madrid, the right-wing government is spending more than $1 million on a two-week long festivity with dozens of events. Also, Poland has ruled that its constitution takes precedence over EU Law. That has raised the possibility of Poland leaving the 27-nation bloc. Or, more likely, a standoff over whose law reigns supreme. And, whether it’s called soccer or fútbol, the sport unites immigrant children in the US from diverse backgrounds. Yet, it doesn't always provide equal opportunities for all of the kids.
For the first time since 1935, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to journalists: Maria Ressa of the Philippines, and Russian independent journalist Dmitry Muratov. The award honors their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression against the growing threats against it. And it’s election time in Iraq, where a high-stakes parliamentary vote will take place on Sunday. The election was called a year early in response to major protests in 2019. Plus, for nearly two centuries since Ludwig van Beethoven's death, his 10th Symphony sat unfinished and largely untouched. But with a little help from modern technology — that’s about to change.
The Swedish Academy awarded the Nobel Prize for literature to novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah. The author of numerous novels who grew up in Zanzibar, Gurnah was selected for his "uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism." And, many in the US are asking what went wrong in Afghanistan after two decades of war ended with Taliban rule. Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth is calling for a 9/11-style commission to look at the past 20 years of US involvement in Afghanistan. Also, traffic in Indian cities can get really noisy with car horns and sirens blaring nonstop. Now, India's transport minister is working on a new law that would replace them with the soothing sounds of tablas and other Indian instruments.
The World Health Organization announced on Wednesday that a vaccine against malaria has been found to be safe and effective — including for kids, who account for the vast majority of malaria deaths. And for decades, an international network of clergy sexual abuse survivors and their advocates have been pushing for more accountability within the Catholic Church. We hear from accountability experts about how an inquiry in France may reverberate worldwide. Also, 14% of endangered coral reefs were lost between 2008 and 2019. But one oceanic expert says there’s still room for hope in conservation.
The Bishops' Conference of France has released a report documenting more than 300,000 cases of child sexual abuse within the French Catholic Church. The independent commission is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Also, El Salvador's citizens have faced multiple traumas in the past decades: war, gang violence, natural disasters and now, COVID-19. We hear from a group of ambulance workers in El Salvador about how they cope with daily tragedies with few mental health providers in the country. And the recent Facebook outage impacted small businesses around the world. Hear about how the outage disrupted a grocery delivery business in Accra, Ghana, and what is being done to prepare for future outages.
The “Pandora Papers” are being called the greatest-ever leak of secret deals and hidden assets. Top Lebanese officials are among the powerful whose secrets are revealed in the leak. And, confidence in British police has been shaken following the sentencing of a serving police officer for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard in London last March. Advice to women on how to handle their fears of male police officers has proven “laughable” by some women's rights groups. Plus, The University of Liverpool is launching a master's program on one of the most popular bands of all time: the Beatles. The program will focus on how attitudes toward the ever-popular group have changed over the decades.
In the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, tens of thousands of migrants hope to reach the United States, but are caught in legal limbo. They hail from different countries in Central and South America, but many are from Haiti. Also, when a massive earthquake and tsunami hit eastern Japan 10 years ago, with a subsequent nuclear disaster, nearly 20,000 people died. Some found healing in sashiko, a traditional art form that helped ease the pain among survivors. And, Spain's flamenco guitar legend, the late Paco de Lucía, is receiving an homage this week in his hometown. Capping off the honors is a decree to play his famous song, "Entre Dos Aguas,” or "Between Two Waters," from the town hall carillon twice a day.
Members of the Hazara ethnic group in Afghanistan have faced discrimination and violent attacks for a long time. Under the new reality of Taliban rule, things appear to be getting worse. And, for the first time, on Sept. 30, Canada will recognize a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation to honor the thousands of students who died at residential schools for Indigenous children between 1883 and 1996. Also, French winegrowers will have a tough harvest this fall and a late frost destroyed much of their crops this past spring. But some are trying to adapt to climate change by trying to make their grapes more resistant to heat and drought.
The lights have gone off in parts of China. Elevators have shut down and streetlights have gone dark. The country isn't producing enough electricity. Shortages are being blamed on the high cost of fuel due to strong demand from industries and tougher emission standards. And, the city of Tapachula in southern Mexico, close to the border with Guatemala, has become a transit point for thousands of migrants from Haiti, and Central and South America. The World looks at how the city has changed since the migrants’ arrival. Plus, a cassette tape with a recording of an interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono has been auctioned off in Denmark for more than $58,000. The recording, made by four Danish teenagers in 1970, includes Lennon and Ono singing two songs, “Give Peace a Chance” and “Radio Peace,” which was never released.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan heads to the Middle East to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as officials in the United Arab Emirates, to talk about Yemen and Iran. What is the significance of this trip? And top US Army officials faced sharp questioning on Tuesday on Capitol Hill about the US’ chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. We hear from retired United States Army Gen. David Petraeus about his reaction. Plus, Swedish musician José González was first inspired by the Brazilian bossa nova and Latin folk his parents played at home in Argentina. On his latest album, “Local Valley,” he turned to the sounds of Ghanaian highlife.
The return to China of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in an apparent exchange for two detained Canadians offers clues into the evolution of US-China relations — one that may require uncomfortable compromises. And four weeks after the US left Afghanistan, America and its allies are still keeping a close eye on the country, with counterterrorism and national security top of mind. How will the US gather intelligence in Afghanistan without being there? Also, most young people in South Sudan have faced conflict and displacement their entire lives. The Baobab House, an art gallery in the capital, Juba, offers young people the chance to use music as a form of social healing.
In the chaos of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the mass evacuation, a number of unaccompanied minors ended up on flights out of the country. Now comes the difficult task of reuniting them with families or helping them find new homes. Also, if you’re in the market for a puffy vest this winter, you may need to be patient. The shipping bottlenecks occurring at California ports continue to have an outsized impact on US retailers like Eddie Bauer. And the world mourns the loss of pioneering Black filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles, who died on Tuesday at the age of 89 in his home in New York. Van Peebles was known as the “godfather of modern Black cinema” with themes of resistance and Black liberation.
Over the past few months, China's regulatory crackdowns have impacted almost every corner of Chinese society, with new restrictions targeting everything from entertainment to after-school education to car-share apps and video games. Also, Haitians gathered under the Del Rio International Bridge in south Texas will be allowed to cross the Mexico-US border, but those who make it across often have to scramble for lodging and aid from volunteers. Plus, the National Theater of Somalia in Mogadishu hosted the country's first movie screening in 30 years on Wednesday. The theater opened in 1967, a gift from Mao Zedong, but shut down at the start of Somalia's civil war in 1991.
President Biden is proposing one of the most ambitious spending plans since the 1930s — a $3.5 trillion investment tackling everything from clean energy, to early education, to health care. A total overhaul of the American economy. The big question: How do we pay for it? Also, the cost of energy is hitting record highs in Spain. It's driven by the rising cost of gas and lower-than-usual winds (not pushing Spain's windmills). It's a problem across Europe as the continent transitions toward renewable energies. And, we look back at the legacy and impact of the classic Cuban album, "The Buena Vista Social Club,” which is now 25 years old.
Thousands of Haitians who had hoped to seek asylum in the US are arriving at Haiti’s main airport. Haiti’s fragile government has little aid to offer the arriving deportees. And COVID-19 continues to ravage Southeast Asia, with most countries’ borders more or less closed. In Thailand, the virus has killed more than 15,000 people and anger toward the Thai government is spilling into the streets. Also, meet Zandile Ndhlovu, South Africa’s “Black Mermaid.” Ndhlovu started the Black Mermaid Foundation to share her love of free diving with communities that lack access to ocean spaces due to South Africa's racist history.
The Taliban ordered all schools in Afghanistan to reopen this weekend after months of closure because of COVID-19 and political upheaval. But the future of education for millions of high school girls remains unclear because Taliban leadership banned them from returning to their studies. And a new security pact signed between the US, Australia and the UK took Paris by surprise. It means that a big military contract signed between France and Australia several years ago will be scrapped. Also, Afghans have been welcomed in Turkey over the last few decades. But recently, life has become more difficult for new refugees fleeing the Taliban takeover of their homeland.
It's been a month since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. But so far, no nation has recognized them as the official government there. Foreign powers are making their own calculations about how to proceed. Plus, President Joe Biden is asking world leaders to commit more money to help developing countries deal with climate change. It's the latest in a flurry of diplomatic efforts aimed at securing tangible results at the next UN climate summit that’s six weeks away. And remembering a folk singer often called the “Chicano Woody Guthrie.”
President Joe Biden appeared at a virtual joint news conference with Boris Johnson and Scott Morrison, the prime ministers of Britain and Australia, to announce a new security arrangement for the Asia Pacific region. Under the terms of the historic deal, the US will share nuclear submarine technology with Australia. Also, few international humanitarian groups remain in Afghanistan. And, France has declared a health emergency in New Caledonia, as COVID-19 cases there continue to surge. Meanwhile, a law is expected to pass this week in Paris that extends the health emergency to New Caledonia and French Polynesia until mid-November. Plus, in Kenya, entrepreneurs are trying to make camel milk, a traditional pastoralist beverage, the next big drink.
Both North and South Korea tested ballistic missiles on Wednesday within hours of each other. Over the weekend, Pyongyang said that it had successfully launched a long-range cruise missile — its first test in six months. Also, this week, Apple rushed to update its iPhone software after security vulnerabilities were discovered. A hacking tool developed by Israeli spyware firm NSO Group was shown to easily target iPhone users. Plus, a high-profile case of sexual harassment has been dismissed by a court in Beijing. Former TV intern Zhou Xiaoxuan’s case has been a focal point for China’s #MeToo movement.
Two governments claim to run Myanmar. Will the United Nations accept Myanmar’s widely despised military regime or will it recognize a new revolutionary government that has massive public support? Also, Finland has two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. Now, the mayor of Helsinki wants to declare the capital an English-language city, but not everyone agrees. And renowned soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the world's most physically fit athletes. Ronaldo's clean-food living has inspired his fellow players to skip dessert on at least one occasion.
Mexican immigration officials and National Guard soldiers have been chasing and detaining groups of migrants attempting to leave the southern state of Chiapas. Also, Iran and the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog came to an agreement on Sunday with a focus on monitoring devices at Iranian nuclear sites. Plus, the fearsome Komodo dragon can take down animals as big as a horse. But now, the dragons are the ones under threat.
Islam is the key pillar of the Taliban’s vision for their newly formed government in Afghanistan. But which interpretation of Islam will guide the group's governance? And, over the last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko have met six times. Recently, the two leaders announced concrete steps, which will lead to further economic integration between the two countries. Also, yesterday police raided a museum in Hong Kong devoted to preserving the memory of the 1989 massacre of protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.
A network of 1,500 environmental groups are calling on the British government to delay the UN climate summit scheduled for November in Glasgow, Scotland. They're worried that delegates from vulnerable nations won't be able to attend due to travel restrictions, lack of access to vaccines and the cost of quarantine hotels. And, soon after 9/11, the US created a centralized terrorist watchlist, a major tool used by many local and federal agencies to identify “known or suspected terrorists.” How has the watchlist grown since 9/11? Also, Elvis Costello has a new album, but you won't hear his voice on it. His classic release, “This Year's Model,” just got a remix with vocalists from across the Spanish-singing world.
Children around the world are returning to class, with schools opening up after a year of closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the rapid spread of the more-contagious delta variant, and coronavirus vaccines not available for much of the global school-aged population, children’s health risks have become even more pressing. As a part of a regular series of conversations presented in partnership with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and as a special feature in The World's podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion about the delta variant’s impact on children with Harvard epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch.
Find more of the Coronavirus Conversations series here: https://www.theworld.org/coronavirus-conversations
The Supreme Court of Mexico ruled on Tuesday that it is unconstitutional to jail women for having an abortion. However, the decision does not mean nationwide, immediate access to the procedure. And, 20 years after 9/11, and in the wake of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, many Americans are questioning the assumptions underpinning the so-called global “war on terror.” Plus, French actor and New Wave cinema poster boy Jean-Paul Belmondo has died at the age of 88. Host Marco Werman pays homage with music from Martial Solal's soundtrack to "Breathless," the film that made Belmondo a star.
The Taliban has announced choices for several interim positions in their new government. And, 20 years after 9/11, militant Islamists continue to be a threat, not just in Afghanistan, but across much of the world. Also, the coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot in the political landscape around the globe. One of its consequences is the growth of authoritarianism, or its tendencies, in a number of countries and regions.
A trial involving 600 villages in Bangladesh has proven the effectiveness of wearing surgical masks, and shown practical ways of getting people to wear them. Also, Kai-Fu Lee explains to The Economist the role that AI will play in our jobs in 20 years. And, Germany’s commitment to returning artifacts taken from African countries is putting pressure on other Western nations to do the same.
Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, there's been a lot of worry about what they will do, how they will rule and what it means for Afghan women. But a more fundamental question is this: Who are they this time around? Also, asylum-seekers allege pushbacks at Europes’ external borders. One Syrian child attempting to reach Europe claims he was violently pushed back from Greece to Turkey. And a second child, also Syrian, managed to escape the forced return. And, in the years after 9/11, crossing US land borders has become more difficult. That’s had an outsized effect in towns along the Canadian border. Plus, ABBA is back! One of Sweden's biggest exports dropped, not one, but two new singles yesterday.
For years, the Taliban was designated by many countries as an extremist or terrorist group. Now that they’re in power in Afghanistan, what does this mean for other militant groups, such as ISIS-K and al-Qaeda? Also, we hear from the EU’s top migration official, Ylva Johansson, about what EU leaders are planning in order to prevent a migration crisis similar to the one experienced by the bloc in 2015. Plus, is gossip ever good? Research studies indicate that hearing gossip about colleagues can make us more self-reflective, while being the subject of gossip can cause people to change their behavior.
Residents of Afghanistan’s capital have been queuing up for hours to withdraw strictly limited amounts of cash from their bank accounts. Prices for basic goods are skyrocketing. Also, since 2002, the US has backed the Philippines in fighting Islamist rebels trying to take over the tropical islands. Nearly 20 years on, and the rebels are still there, including a group called Abu Sayyaf, which sympathizes with ISIS, and can be just as vicious. And Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is in Washington today to meet with President Joe Biden. Zelenskiy’s plans to meet with then-President Donald Trump were derailed by the impeachment scandal.
We look at the timeline of Afghanistan's fall to the Taliban, and recap the US’ withdrawal from the country after 20 years of war. Now that the US military has fully withdrawn from Afghanistan, many Afghans who wanted to leave did not manage to get on an evacuation flight. We hear from one woman working for a high-profile women’s empowerment project who was left behind. Plus, Alex Rocha, a tour guide in Cartagena, Colombia, gives his customers more than just a history lesson — he shines a spotlight on Black history.
In just one day, US troops will be completely out of Afghanistan, amid ongoing violence and terrorist threats. How will the US detect the dangers in Afghanistan after the US military is gone? Also, elephants are sacred in Sri Lanka. Now, they’ll have their own identity cards, among other new rules to better protect Sri Lankan elephants. And, since 2016, more than 200 US government officials abroad have described feeling some strange symptoms widely known as “Havana syndrome,” since the first cases were detected in the Cuban capital. What is the US doing about it?
Airlifts out of Kabul continue just one day after bombings rocked the area around the airport. More than 100 people are dead, including 13 US troops. Also, when Europe began its vaccination rollout last December, Romania was one of the fastest out of the bloc, but that quickly fizzled out. In the last few weeks, the government has turned to the Romanian Orthodox Church for help. And, across the US, we hear from refugee resettlement agencies and volunteers as they prepare to host tens of thousands of Afghans arriving in the US.
Explosions outside the Kabul airport on Thursday have upended the evacuation effort there and taken the lives of US soldiers and Afghans. At the time of the blasts, the airport was crowded with people trying to leave Afghanistan. Also, as the US and Mexico continue to debate the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy, hundreds of migrants arrive every day at a rural border outpost in Guatemala. These forced removals could create a new border humanitarian crisis. Plus, China's Ministry of Education has issued new guidelines to integrate "Xi Jinping thought" into the curricula, in the president's latest effort to consolidate the ruling Chinese Communist Party into almost every area of society.
As the US continues to execute its exit from Afghanistan while trying to secure the Kabul airport — experts are warning that the threat of terrorism is rising. And on Wednesday, the first group of evacuees from Kabul arrived in Uganda, in East Africa. Uganda is one of several countries that agreed to assist the US in temporarily hosting at-risk Afghans and other nationals fleeing Afghanistan. Plus, Cuban guitarist Kiki Valera tells us about how building a shortwave radio out of spare parts opened his ears to a new world of sounds.
In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro has been public about his anti-vaccine position on COVID-19. Brazilians, on the other hand, have embraced it. According to a recent poll, 90% of Brazilians say they plan on getting vaccinated. Also, Afghans fleeing Taliban rule are starting to arrive in the US. Many are starting a new chapter of life in apartments, often arranged by refugee resettlement agencies. And, Vice President Kamala Harris is in midst of her Southeast Asia trip to reassure allies that the US remains committed to the region. Plus, the 2020 Paralympic Games have kicked off in Tokyo, with more than 4,000 athletes competing across 22 sports.
For months, advocacy groups have urged the Canadian government to evacuate Afghan staff and interpreters for the Canadian military. Now, Canada lacks the personnel in Afghanistan to help these former employees leave. Also, the Taliban may now possess US-made planes, helicopters, howitzers and small arms left behind by the retreating Afghan forces. How much of the Afghan arsenal will the Taliban use — and what would they need to maintain it? And US-born Josephine Baker became one of France’s all-time greatest music-hall stars. Baker becomes the first Black woman interred in Paris’ Panthéon mausoleum, joining other French legendary icons.
Hamid Karzai International Airport has been in the global spotlight for the past week. This relatively small airport has become the only hope for many people stuck in the country to leave. And, as the US scrambles to secure the Kabul airport in the waning days before its final exit from Afghanistan, European allies are following events closely. The Biden administration says it's working closely with Germany and other NATO allies during this transition period. Also, for the first time in recorded history, rain was monitored on the summit of Greenland, a place that rarely sees above-freezing temperatures. Seven billion tons of water fell on the ice sheet causing massive ice loss.
Taliban spokesmen have said they'll be more accommodating toward journalists than in previous years, but Ayesha Tanzeem, the Afghanistan Pakistan bureau chief for Voice of America, is wary. And, Khalida Popal says she founded the Afghan women's football team in 2007 as an act of defiance against the Taliban. Now in exile, she is fielding calls from her former teammates who fear for their lives. Also, Olympic athletes may have left the Games, but the athletes’ village in Tokyo is back in use, currently filling up with 4,000 Paralympian athletes, ready to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Since 2014, at least 300 Afghan interpreters, or their relatives, have been killed. Now, many of these Afghans fear being left behind as the Taliban takes control of Afghanistan. And, in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover, the ripple effects are reverberating across borders. Some Afghans are looking to Central Asia as a potential safe haven. Also, Pakistan welcomes Chinese investments in infrastructure projects, but extremist groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, want China to leave.
Following the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, European countries, including France, Italy, Spain and Poland, are scrambling to evacuate their citizens, and Afghans who worked with them, from the country. US President Joe Biden says he stands “squarely behind” his decision to exit Afghanistan. Ryan Crocker, former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, says he’s shocked by the way the Biden administration pulled the plug. Also, the final Khmer Rouge tribunal began hearings today. A former leader seeks to overturn his genocide conviction as part of the last chapter in the quest for justice for the more than a million people who died under the brutal regime in the late 1970s.
Afghanistan is now under control of the Taliban. Host Marco Werman talks to a US government interpreter who says the Taliban has hounded him with death threats. Plus, the latest on the airlift at the Kabul airport, and what the first days of life under Taliban rule have been like for women. Also, Zambia is setting a good example for peaceful transitions of power, with President Edgar Lungu accepting the election results that he lost last week's election there. And, we have a story about dogs being trained as lifeguards — and they’re saving lives on Italian beaches.
The Taliban continues to take over provincial capitals in the north with stunning speed. The US is preparing for a rapid evacuation of personnel, and the Biden administration is dispatching 3,000 troops to help. US officials warn that Kabul could fall within 30 days. And a Hazara family tries to flee Afghanistan. Also, the US may soon open up to more foreign travelers, but require proof of vaccination. Here's a thorny question, though: Which vaccines will count? And in Algeria, wildfires that have been raging this week remain largely out of control.
Taliban fighters are in the streets of Afghanistan's third-largest city. Also, the new climate report from the UN calls for rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. We get a reality check on the massive effort needed to meet climate goals. And, an Olympic gold medalist from Jamaica thanks the volunteer who helped him get to his competition on time.
In Afghanistan, three more regional capitals fell to the Taliban yesterday. That makes nine in less than a week. One of the latest to fall is the city of Pul-i-Khumri, in Baghlan province, a vital piece of territory. And wildfires continue to rage in parts of Greece, including on Evia island. The Greek government has announced relief measures for those impacted. Also, EU officials are accusing Belarus' strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko of using the migrants as political pawns to retaliate against EU sanctions.
Ethiopia's government is calling civilians to join the military to fight against Tigrayan rebel forces. This marks a stunning turnaround for Ethiopia and its leader, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. And, yesterday, Britain, Canada, and the United States imposed new sanctions on Belarus. The move comes one year after strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko rigged the country's presidential election in his favor. Also, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s recent report is a “code red” for humanity, says climate scientist William Moomaw. He joins us to talk about jumpstarting efforts to reverse the climate crisis.
Crews and locals on Evia island, and other parts of Greece, continue to battle blazes burning through thousands of acres of forested and residential areas. As other countries step in with support, many Greeks say they feel abandoned by their own government. And, a new UN report says the Earth will likely blow past the 1.5 Celsius mark by the 2030s, a goal set by the Paris agreement to minimize global warming. This will drastically escalate the negative impacts of climate change in the next few decades. Also, we hear from Daniel Sherrell, whose new book, “Warmth,” addresses how it truly feels to face the magnitude of the global climate emergency.
As fighting in western Afghanistan intensifies, thousands of women and children are forced to leave their homes. The UN estimates 270,000 Afghans have been displaced since January. Also, on the morning of Aug. 6, 1945, a photographer roamed through the rubble of Hiroshima. His images of people exposed to the atomic blast were the only ones taken that day. And France dropped nearly 200 atomic bombs on French Polynesia between 1966 and 1996 as part of its nuclear testing program. During President Emmanuel Macron's first visit to the territory last week, he acknowledged the damage but failed to apologize.
The highly infectious COVID-19 delta variant is leaving a devastating wake around the globe. The surge of infections raises a lot of questions and has sparked concern among public health officials. As part of The World's regular series of conversation presented with The Forum at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and as a special in our podcast feed, editor Carolyn Beeler moderated a discussion about the delta variant and what's next for the pandemic with epidemiologist William Hanage.
See more of the Coronavirus Conversations series here: https://www.theworld.org/categories/coronavirus-conversations
The World Health Organization took a clear stance this week on COVID-19 booster shots: Countries must hold off because the majority of people, globally, have yet to receive their first dose. And since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, tens of thousands of ancient artifacts and art pieces have been looted and smuggled out of the country. This week, the US agreed to return more than 17,000 artifacts and treasures to Iraq. Also, a controversial new bill in Ghana could make life even more difficult for LGBTQ people; same-sex relations are already illegal in the country. The proposed legislation would further criminalize LGBTQ people.
For the first time since the 1990s, Taliban militants in recent days attacked the western city of Herat, one of Afghanistan's largest cities. Fighting in the vicinity of Herat's airport has grounded flights for several days. Also, Ethiopia has suspended aid operations with Doctors Without Borders and the Norwegian Refugee Council in its Tigray region, as hundreds of thousands of people there live under the threat of starvation. And one year after a deadly explosion in Beirut's port killed 200 people and injured and displaced thousands, Lebanese citizens are still seeking answers — and justice.
Athing Mu, 19, made history on the track in Tokyo by winning gold for the US in the 800-meter race. This was the first time the US has claimed the top spot since the 1968 Games in Mexico City. And, the hourglass-shaped dùndún, known as the “talking drum,” has been a part of West African music for hundreds of years. A musicologist found that the instrument replicates tones and patterns of the Yorùbá language. Also, the brutal murder of the youngest daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat has sparked outrage in Islamabad and beyond. One human rights activist says Pakistan’s government is backpedaling when it comes to protecting women from abuse.
Six months after a military coup in Myanmar, the generals who seized power have announced the formation of a new government, promising “free and fair” elections in at least two years. But almost no one seems to believe them. Also, winemakers have been adjusting to warming temperatures for years, picking grapes earlier and earlier each season. But this year, freak frosts and searing high temperatures in Europe have had catastrophic effects on wine grapes. And in Israel today, the Supreme Court ruled that Palestinian residents in the contested Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem will receive protected status and will not face future evictions.
Figuring out how to keep electric vehicles powered up remains a major challenge. Other nations have already traveled down this path of trial and error — a road we're following. Also, the delta variant of the coronavirus is everywhere. Because of that, global leaders are reassessing mask guidance, mandates and vaccine requirements. And, the Philippines is reversing its decision to void a long-term defense pact with the US. It's a big win for the Biden administration, as the pact is seen as important to help keep China at bay.
At this point during the pandemic, should people wear masks in public? After saying no in May, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its stance and the reversal actually falls in line with much of the rest of the world. Also, since the 2019 revolution in Sudan, laws that restricted women’s dress and behavior have been abolished. But for many women, those political changes are not enough. And we hear from Roman Dobrokhotov, the editor-in-chief of Russian news publication The Insider, who was arrested Wednesday as part of the Kremlin’s crackdowns on individual journalists.
Wildfires in Siberia are burning intensely and carbon emissions are near an all-time high from Russian fires. We look at what's causing the blazes and how they compare to fires raging across North America. Also, a Myanmar swimmer has surrendered his Olympic dreams and a shot at his nation's first Olympic medal, all to protest the country's military. And, Cubans and Haitians have emigrated to the US on a large scale for decades. With recent unrest in those two nations, we take a look at immigration policies toward them.
The island nation of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean is suffering through its worst drought in four decades. Also, the Kremlin doubles down on its suppression of all-things associated with Alexei Navalny. The opposition politician is already in jail after surviving a poisoning attempt. This week, Moscow blocked nearly 50 websites connected to Navalny. Plus, mermaid classes have become extremely popular in China.
Tunisian President Kais Saied fired the country's prime minister and suspended its parliament. Tunisia's main opposition party, Ennahda, called the move a "coup.” And Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and US President Joe Biden will sign an agreement on Monday to officially end US military combat missions in Iraq by the end of 2021. Also, more than half of Australia's population is under lockdown again. Single people are asking for a “singles’ bubble.” And we hear from 24-year-old Mohammed Rezuwan, a Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh who spent the past year recording and translating Rohingya folktales.
China's President Xi Jinping has made a surprise visit this week to the contested, autonomous region of Tibet. And, in the tumultuous days since the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, some members of the Haitian diaspora are looking to play a role in shaping Haiti's future. Also, since US President Joe Biden announced the unconditional withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, the Taliban has continued to take over district after district. How much longer can the Afghan security forces hold the group back from taking over major cities like Kabul? And, on the 10th anniversary of the death of Amy Winehouse, host Marco Werman reflects on the British soul singer’s myriad talents.
On Aug. 9, Canada will reopen its land border to Americans who have been fully vaccinated. But Mexico isn't ready to lift its restrictions on nonessential travelers and neither is the US. And, Americans love ice cream, but in the past five years, the popularity of frozen treats in China has exploded. The country now has the largest ice cream market in the world. Also, while billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson have gotten lots of attention for their recent forays into space, there's another space race heating up — in Africa. And, we hear from fencer Aida Mohamed of Hungary, as she takes part in her 7th Olympic Games.
COVID-19 is tearing through Indonesia, where the total case count is nearing 3 million and the infection rates have skyrocketed since mid-May. And today, UNESCO announced it is revoking Liverpool’s World Heritage status, over concerns about the city's waterfront redevelopment plans. Also, a rocket attack in Kabul, near the presidential palace, is yet another reminder of the worsening security situation in Afghanistan, with most US troops having already left. And, Seattle-based artist Dakota has roots in Guam. By researching the island's history, Dakota developed a unique hip-hop style.
Following the assassination of Haiti’s president, it remained unclear who would take charge. On Tuesday, Haitian officials announced that interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph is stepping down and making way for Ariel Henry. Last year, many facilities run by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement became COVID-19 hot spots. Now, infections at these facilities are rising again. Also, for decades under the dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s school curriculum was infused with Islamist ideology. The new government in Sudan set out to change that. And, with surfing making its debut at the Tokyo Olympic Games, some in Hawaii are working to highlight its roots.
From blistering heat waves to massive flooding, recent extreme weather has some climate scientists surprised. Are climate models keeping up with the rapid pace of change? And, the US and its allies formally blame China for the hacking of a Microsoft Exchange email server that affected tens of thousands of computers in March. Also, Sudan was a self-described Islamic state under dictator Omar al-Bashir. After he was overthrown in 2019, Sudan’s government now says it will institute a separation between religion and state. And, more than 1,700 Iraqis have migrated to Lithuania via Belarus in recent weeks.
Devastating floods in western Germany and Belgium have left at least 108 people dead and more than 1,300 others missing. And, Cuba is a world leader in medicine, and has quickly developed its own promising COVID-19 vaccine. About a quarter of the population has received at least one dose. Also, we hear from Brazilian musician Rodrigo Amarante about “Drama,” his second solo album, as well as his 25-year career in music.
After Georgia’s LGBTQ community faced violence at a Pride event in Tbilisi last week, politicians say more action is needed and urged for accountability. And, vigils and protests continue in India over the death of 84-year-old Jesuit priest Stan Swamy. US and United Nations leaders have expressed concern about his death in an Indian prison. This week, the Italian government banned large cruise ships from sailing into the lagoon off St. Mark's Square in Venice. Also, we hear from German Ghanaian musician Marvin Brooks, with his latest track, "One Breath."
Iranian intelligence agents plotted an abduction on US soil. The alleged target: Iranian American author and journalist Masih Alinejad, a harsh critic of the Iranian government. Also, this week marks five years since a faction of Turkey’s military attempted a coup that left more than 250 dead. The country issued a state of emergency and has prosecuted thousands of people since then. And, we celebrate Bastille Day with a controversial 1979 reggae version of the French national anthem: Serge Gainsbourg's "Aux Armes Etcetera," recorded in Kingston, Jamaica.
In Cuba, activists say more than 100 people have been detained or gone missing since protests erupted over the weekend. We'll hear from someone in the capital, Havana. Also, do we need booster shots for COVID-19? Scientists are debating that question. Still, a handful of countries are preparing for boosters. Plus, does a lobster feel pain? The British Parliament wants to know.
Thousands of Cubans took to the streets on Sunday to protest the government’s mishandling of the pandemic and continued problems with power blackouts and food shortages. And, along with the assassination of Haiti’s president this week, the country faces an uptick in gang violence. Also, dozens of Chinese feminist social media channels have been abruptly deactivated recently, triggering anger and fear. And, Super Mario 64 still holds nostalgic value. An unopened cartridge of the classic game just sold at auction for a record-setting $1.5 million.
Police in Haiti say that at least 15 people behind the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse were Colombian mercenaries, including several retired military members. And, after a 15-month standstill, cruises are leaving from American waters again with revamped health and safety protocols. Will it be smooth sailing? Also, most Islamic countries regard homosexuality as morally unacceptable — and a crime. But gay activists say homophobia is a Western import with documents to prove it.
As American troops exit Afghanistan, the Taliban continues to take control over more and more territory. On Thursday, President Joe Biden sought to reassure Afghan allies about the future of US-Afghanistan relations. And, more than two dozen scientists at the global World Weather Attribution group worked nonstop over the past week to determine whether the Pacific Northwest's record-breaking heat wave was caused by climate change. The answer was a resounding yes. Also, Erika Avellaneda, a 9th grader in Ottawa, Ontario, says it took 143 hours and 17 rolls of duct tape to create her detailed, two-piece prom dress.
After more than a year of measures, such as mask mandates and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, communities around the world are adjusting to reopened workplaces and society. But ongoing concerns about the pandemic, and challenges posed by variants, have many people wary. As part of The World's regular series of conversations with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and as a special in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a conversation with Karestan Koenen, professor of psychiatric epidemiology at Harvard, who explored well-being and mental health during this transition.
Find more of the Coronavirus Conversations series here: https://www.theworld.org/coronavirus-conversations
Brazil is finally getting vaccines following President Jair Bolsonaro's botched approach to vaccination purchases and a range of COVID-19 hardships. Now, citizens are honking in celebration at drive-up vaccination sites. Also, Haiti's president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated Tuesday in an overnight attack. And, in May, a triple bombing at a girls' school in Kabul killed nearly 100 people, mostly students. Roughly two months later, Abdullah Ahmadi hasn't been able to locate her 19-year-old daughter, Shukria. Also, the storied Cannes Film Festival had its opening night Tuesday after getting canceled last year due to COVID-19.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that almost all COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted in England by July 19. But with the Delta variant threat, many scientists say it’s a “recipe for disaster.” And, as Lebanon’s financial crisis deepens, interim Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that the country was days away from a "social explosion.” Also, Nigerian law enforcement reported the kidnapping of 140 students in Kaduna state after armed men raided Bethel Baptist School boarding school. And, a book called “Chinatown Pretty: Fashion and Wisdom from Chinatown's Most Stylish Seniors,” takes readers on a fashion tour through Chinatown neighborhoods.
This story may sound familiar. A major hack, with more than 1,000 businesses affected. According to cybersecurity experts, the Russia-based hacking group REvil is the source of the attack. Also, in South Africa, political tensions are growing after a court sentenced former president Jacob Zuma to prison for absconding from a corruption inquiry — a ruling that appears to strike at perceived official impunity. Zuma has struck back, comparing the judges to the white apartheid-era rulers he once fought. And, abortion activists and pro-choice gynecologists in ultra-Catholic Malta have created the country’s first free family-planning service.
One of the main symbols of US military presence in Afghanistan was the Bagram Air Base. Now, after 20 years, the last remaining American troops have left. And, the town slogan for Lytton, British Columbia, is “Canada’s hot spot." This week’s heat wave caused temperatures there to soar to 121 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday. Also, "The Last Kings of Shanghai," Jonathan Kaufman’s latest book, takes readers to 20th-century Shanghai, and explores the complicated legacies of two families.
Chinese President Xi Jingping gave a rousing speech to an overflowing crowd today in Tiananmen Square on the 100th anniversary of the founding of China’s Communist Party. President Xi certainly remains popular in China and so does his party. And, as parts of the US bake under extreme temperatures, we turn to Ahmedabad, a city that has made a huge investment in combating urban heat. Today, Turkey formally ended its participation in a European treaty to prevent violence against women. Also, The Biden administration followed through on its commitment to donate 80 million doses of coronavirus vaccines by the end of June to countries that need them.
July 1 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party in China. Shanghai, where Mao Zedong and 12 other men first laid the foundations for the party, is now the epicenter for celebrations. And earlier this week, the US conducted airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias in both Iraq and Syria. Just hours later, US forces also came under rocket attack. Where does Iraq stand in all of this? Also, with increased access to effective COVID-19 vaccines, many businesses are reopening and people are returning to work. If you’re feeling weird about it, you're not alone.
Taliban fighters have taken over several districts since the US announced its unconditional troop withdrawal. To counter the insurgents, some Afghans are taking up arms. And, Ethiopia declared a unilateral ceasefire in the Tigray region on Monday, putting an end to nearly eight months of fighting that pushed hundreds of thousands into starvation. Also, Guam's surplus of vaccines — and hotel vacancies — has inspired "Guam AirVnV."
Heat waves across the US, Canada, parts of Europe and Siberia brought soaring temps this week. And, after the killing of Black American George Floyd, several African countries urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate police brutality in the US. The rights office conducted a global investigation, and the new report confirms that police brutality toward people of African descent has been allowed to continue with impunity. Also, in his new short story collection, “Alien Stories,” writer E.C. Osondu uses science fiction to explore the many meanings of “alien.”
An Afghan government delegation, including President Ashraf Ghani, is on a two-day visit to Washington, DC. Their message: Don’t leave Afghanistan to the Taliban. And, US Vice President Kamala Harris made her first trip to the US-Mexico border since taking office. Also, Nicaraguan political cartoonist Pedro X. Molina wants to see fair elections. He’s been living in exile in Ithaca, New York, and fled Nicaragua during a government crackdown on the press in 2018.
The Biden administration is reportedly preparing to evacuate thousands of Afghan interpreters and other local hires who assisted US forces over the past 20 years and now face threats from the Taliban. Also, the Cowessess First Nation in southern Saskatchewan said Wednesday that it has discovered hundreds of unmarked graves at the site of another former residential school for Indigenous children. Also, John McAfee, the security software pioneer and founder of McAfee Associates, was found dead in a Spanish prison on Wednesday. And, after a yearlong postponement, the Summer Olympics in Tokyo is now just a month away. But international opposition to the games continues.
As new COVID-19 variants emerge, health authorities around the world are racing to inoculate people, while facing often-disjointed rollouts and limited supplies of shots. As part of The World's regular series of conversations on the pandemic with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and as a special episode in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with a panel of experts on where we are now in the global coronavirus crisis.
Listen and watch more of the Coronavirus Conversations series here: https://www.theworld.org/coronavirus-conversations
The Apple Daily, Hong Kong’s biggest pro-democracy newspaper, is publishing its final issue. The move comes a week after authorities froze the outlet’s bank accounts, raided its offices and arrested top editors. And, Hambali, an Indonesian pegged as al-Qaeda’s mastermind in Southeast Asia, was accused of plotting the “second wave” of 9/11 attacks. Now, after languishing at Guantanamo, Hambali will get his day in court in Washington, DC, this summer. Also, a heat wave in Russia has people heading to Siberia to play in the permafrost and cool down.
UEFA has declined the Munich city council’s request to light up its stadium in rainbow colors for Germany’s final game against Hungary this week. Mayor Dieter Reiter made the request to protest an anti-LGBTQ law recently passed in Hungary. And over 800 members of Indigenous tribes from across Brazil are camped in the capital, Brasilia, to protest what they say are attacks on their rights and land. Also, negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebel movement in Yemen are heating up. Saudi Arabia may be looking to exit the civil war that has led to a humanitarian disaster in Yemen.
Iranian President-elect Ebrahim Raisi said at his first press conference that the economy is a top priority and that nuclear negotiations should continue — but that he won’t meet with US President Joe Biden. And, a lot of people are thinking these days, “where’s my stuff?” During the pandemic, global supply chains have been out of whack, sometimes with devastating impacts. Also, one rural Thai district has the beefiest COVID-19 vaccination incentive yet: a live cow.
It's election day in Iran. And the presidential election is already mired by controversy. Critics say the stage has deliberately been set for one candidate to win — the man closest to Iran's supreme leader. Also, throughout the US, states are pulling out all the stops to encourage people to get vaccinated, including lotteries. In Thailand, get vaccinated, win a cow. Plus, celebrating Juneteenth in China this year has a special meaning for Black Americans living there.
US-Russia relations over the years have been defined by altercation and disagreement. After Wednesday's summit meeting in Geneva, both Biden and Putin expressed a desire to turn the page. Also, since 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs has led to thousands of killings. The International Criminal Court is now calling for an investigation of those deaths as war crimes. And, at the NATO leaders summit this week, the defense alliance said it would begin formally studying how climate change impacts security threats.
Despite tensions in the lead-up to the Biden-Putin summit, the two leaders were overly cordial in their remarks following their meeting in Geneva on Wednesday. And, dozens of Roma from Romania are reported to be among the thousands of undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers crossing the US-Mexico border in the last month. Also, Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza early Wednesday following Hamas sending incendiary balloons into Israel. This comes days after Israel's government shakeup and weeks after a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
On Tuesday, the Biden administration released a 32-page plan for confronting domestic terrorism. It identifies white supremacist violent extremism as the greatest terrorist threat facing the United States. And, Turkey has vaccinated only about 17% of its population so far against COVID-19. But a team of health workers in eastern Turkey is working as fast as it can to vaccinate people in the remote mountain villages. Also, enter the musical world of the Weimar Republic in 1920s Berlin with the Moka Efti Orchestra who created the music for the Netflix series, “Babylon Berlin.”
US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sat down on Monday for a face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit. In the US, there’s a growing push to require public schools to cover the histories of groups left out of history textbooks. Also, G-7 leaders pledged 1 billion vaccine doses to developing countries and agreed to step up action on climate change, but activists say they are unimpressed. And the Copa America soccer tournament kicked off in Brazil this week. A majority of Brazilians think it's dangerous to host the games amid COVID-19 concerns.
President Joe Biden meets world leaders at the G-7 summit. With post-Brexit tension between continental Europe and Britain, we look at the role Biden can play to help ease diplomatic tensions. Plus, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has launched a brutal crackdown on his political opponents. It appears to be an attempt to clear the field so he can run virtually unopposed in the November elections. And a look at the future of Afghanistan with the person in charge of diplomatic efforts to negotiate a deal between the US and the Taliban.
Wealthy nations pledged 10 years ago to provide $100 billion a year for developing nations to mitigate climate change. The United Nations estimates that countries are $20 billion behind that goal and urged G-7 leaders to step up. Also, the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project in Canada has been canceled, but the oil industry is hugely important for the Canadian economy. And, it’s a good week for bitcoin as El Salvador became the first country to adopt the cryptocurrency as a legal tender.
This week, Joe Biden takes his first overseas trip as US president, heading to the United Kingdom to meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. And, China's ultramarathon racing community was rocked a few weeks ago when 21 runners died of hypothermia during a competition in Gansu. Also, the White House has been under pressure to do more to address worldwide vaccine shortages that are especially acute in less wealthy nations. And the International Olympic Committee is charging ahead toward this summer’s games in Tokyo. IOC President Thomas Bach has announced the Refugee Olympic Team consisting of 29 athletes from 11 countries, competing across 12 sports.
Officials in the US, Australia and Europe on Tuesday for the first time revealed details on a massive criminal gang bust operation that involved law enforcement in more than 16 countries. And, Gaza’s medical infrastructure was verging on collapse even before the recent conflict with Israel. Now, conditions are even more dire. Also, in celebration of the United Nations World Oceans Day, Cuban singer and violinist Yilian Cañizares has released a song called "Yemayá," her tribute to the West African goddess of the sea.
Vice President Kamala Harris was in Guatemala on Monday, her first stop in a mission to work on reducing migration to the US by seeking to improve conditions in Central American countries. And, in Burkina Faso, two days ago, Islamist extremists killed more than 130 civilians, according to local officials. This was the worst terrorist atrocity in the history of the country. Also, cities around the world are designing reopening plans and imagining postpandemic life. Human behavior is hard to change, but experts say this is an opportunity to create a new normal.
Peruvians will choose a new president this Sunday, amid one of the biggest economic downturns of the pandemic across Latin America. And, the world marks the 40th anniversary of the HIV pandemic. On June 5, 1981, the US reported the first cases of HIV and AIDS that would turn the world upside down, killing at least 32 million people. The Biden administration is fast-tracking some asylum cases along the US-Mexico border, but some advocates are raising concerns about fairness. Also, a new documentary called “The Six'' highlights the lives of six Chinese survivors aboard the Titanic, and why their stories were neglected for years.
A group of parties spanning Israel's political spectrum has announced an agreement to form a new ruling coalition. If it holds, longtime leader Benjamin Netanyahu is out. And, Peruvians will head to the polls on Sunday to choose their next president. The election underscores how repeated corruption scandals have politically fractured the country. Also, Sri Lanka faces its worst human-made disaster after a container ship carrying oil, toxic chemicals and tons of plastic pellets sank off their coast on Wednesday. And, need a break? Take a moment to watch sea otters playing via livestream on Twitch.
The cyberattack that shut down JBS, the world's largest meat supplier, came within weeks of the Colonial Pipeline hack. Are ransomware attacks the new normal? And, ever since Myanmar’s army seized power in a coup four months ago, the country has descended into terror. Many protesters are fed up with peace marches and are ready to fight back. Also, a herd of wild elephants has gone rogue in China. A dozen or so left a nature preserve in Yunnan province months ago and are now approaching the city of Kunming, putting authorities on guard.
Top-ranking athlete Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the French Open after controversy following her refusal to speak to the media after matches. And, a new report by the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention paints a grim picture of gun violence, which has gone from the lowest to highest rates in Europe. Also, it’s challenging to keep track of new variants of the coronavirus. After months of deliberation, an expert panel has put forward a new system for naming and referencing variants using the Greek alphabet.
Brazil continues to struggle with the coronavirus. Anger may have reached a tipping point there, with Brazilians taking to the streets in organized protests. Also, Western nations designated a Syrian rebel leader as a terrorist. Now, he's trying to soften his image by meeting with Western media. And, the offspring of a revered African freedom fighter, and a rapper delivering her vision of "Afrofuturism." The music and message of Sammus.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus whose recent actions have drawn condemnation from other world leaders. Also, Germany has agreed to pay Namibia $1.3 billion to atone for its colonial-era genocide. And in Kenya, the first-ever national wildlife census, where every animal is counted, from elephants to anteaters.
A group of prominent scientists in the field of virology are calling for an independent investigation to explore the origins of COVID-19. This week, protesters in Iraq took to the streets again to demand an end to a wave of assassinations and intimidation by Iran-supported militia groups. Also, the Biden administration has redesignated Temporary Protected Status — or TPS — to Haitians living in the US. And, The World remembers Eric Carle, beloved author of the famous children’s book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” who died this week.
Latin America and the Caribbean now register a million new COVID-19 infections about every six days. With the vaccine rollout lagging and lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance, what is next for the region? As part of The World's series of conversations on the pandemic with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and as a special feature in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with demographer Marcia Castro.
Find more of The World's Coronavirus Conversations series: https://www.theworld.org/coronavirus-conversations
Iran has approved a list of seven candidates for next month’s presidential election. Missing from the list are moderates and reformist candidates. In France, a debate on policing tactics and oversight have police calling for more protection, too. And, anti-Semitic attacks have reportedly soared in the UK and EU, in the wake of the conflict in Gaza. Also, Tasmanian devils have been born on the Australian mainland for the first time in 3,000 years.
In New Zealand, activists managed to stop plans to increase police powers that harm Maori communities. A year later, the government wants to expand police powers again. And in France, a group of generals recently published an open letter in a far-right magazine warning that the country could be headed toward civil war. Also, for the first time in nearly four months, Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar's ousted government, was seen in person. Her lawyer sees little chance of a fair trial.
On Sunday, Belarusian authorities diverted a passenger flight carrying Roman Protasevich, a prominent dissident. He was then detained under the orders of Alexander Lukashenko, known as “Europe’s last dictator.” And, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in the Middle East tomorrow, following the start of Friday’s ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Also, 21 marathon runners have died in China after extreme weather struck an ultramarathon in a northwestern province. And, the Pacific Island nation of Samoa was set to swear in its first-ever female prime minister earlier today, but it didn't go as planned.
After 11 days of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the sides agreed to an Egyptian-brokered truce. As Gaza rebuilds, what does the blockade imposed in 2007 mean for postconflict life? Also, as European countries open up to tourists, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease specialist, weighs in on the state of the pandemic and how to prepare for the next one. And, an iceberg bigger than the state of Rhode Island broke off from Antarctica last week. It was the largest iceberg in the world.
Hamas predicts that a ceasefire with Israel is imminent, but Israel has shown no signs of letting up its campaign against targets in Gaza. Both sides will likely continue to fight before a truce is called. And, over the years, the Arctic has become a source of tension between Russia and some NATO countries in the region. Also, bipartisan US lawmakers are calling on the Biden administration to do more to protect thousands of Afghans and their families who face deadly threats for their work with Americans and their allies in Afghanistan. And, a nesting crane sighting in Ireland is sparking hope of a resurgence in numbers.
Even in India’s southernmost states with model health care systems, COVID-19 has taken a toll. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, second-wave virus outbreaks have strained their hospitals. And, in El Salvador, the popular 39-year-old president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, is taking measures to centralize power among his allies. Also, amid Israel’s full-blown military escalation against militant group Hamas, hostility is rising between mixed communities of Israeli Jews and Arabs. And, China has released photographs taken from its first-ever rover expedition on Mars.
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As fighting between Israel and Gaza continues, US President Joe Biden said he welcomes a ceasefire. But Israeli and Hamas leaders show few signs of letting up. The US continues to sell weapons to Israel, but these purchases are conducted with little transparency and are not held to any human rights standards. And, the Philippines currently has one of the worst COVID-19 infection rates in Southeast Asia, but vaccine rollout has been slow. Also, the self-proclaimed state of Somaliland celebrates 30 years of independence.
Pressure is mounting for President Joe Biden to do more to try to halt Israel’s assault on Gaza. Also, Chileans have decided that 155 citizens will rewrite the country's constitution, replacing the one drafted under the former Augusto Pinochet dictatorship. In Brazil, coastal fishing communities struggle to stay afloat during the pandemic. Are you exhausted? You’re not alone: The World Health Organization has confirmed in a new report that working long hours can be deadly.
Fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip intensified Thursday night, for the fifth day in a row. And, the CDC released new recommendations lifting indoor mask mandates for vaccinated people. In other parts of the world, including Greece, people are celebrating the lifting of other restrictions. Also, a taboo industry has gone mainstream in China: grave robbing.
A "civil war" is erupting in the streets of Israel, as Arab and Jewish mobs attack each other. We get a view from inside Israel. Plus, Amsterdam has become the first city in the world to ban ads that promote fossil fuel-intensive products, like gas-guzzling cars and cheap flights. And, several months ago, the city of Krakow, Poland, realized it had a problem. It needed someone to play the trumpet. The gig had specific requirements: the candidate would have to pass a fitness test, not be afraid of heights, and be willing to work a 24-hour shift.
A national spike in anti-Asian hate crimes — including a recent mass shooting in Atlanta — is prompting a national conversation. From physical assault to harassment to discrimination, Asian Americans have experienced a harrowing array of violence in the US, made more acute amid the coronavirus crisis. As part of The World's series of conversations with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and as a special edition podcast in our feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a panel discussion addressing anti-Asian racism and the pandemic.
Find more of The World's Coronavirus Conversation series here: https://www.theworld.org/coronavirus-conversations
Escalating violence in Israel and Gaza continues, with exchanges of rocket fire and airstrikes. Officials in the Gaza Strip say that at least 65 Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes launched after the Palestinian militant group Hamas fired hundreds of rockets at Israeli towns, resulting in the death of six Israelis. And, the US is defying an international treaty that would classify used plastic as hazardous waste. Also, the number of days until the Tokyo Olympics are dwindling down. But the pressure to cancel them continues to increase.
Insecurity in Afghanistan has been on the rise, and as the US pulls its troops out, things could get worse. Over the weekend, Afghanistan witnessed a horrific attack, in which dozens of schoolgirls were killed. In Nepal, the number of recorded coronavirus infections is doubling every three days. The country shares a long border with India, where a devastating outbreak has been raging. Also, at least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes launched after Palestinian militant groups fired hundreds of rockets at Israel. And, Milan's famed opera house, La Scala, was silent for six months. Last night, 500 music lovers were able to hear a full orchestra.
Hundreds of Palestinians were injured as Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. The latest clashes come as Palestinians protest court-ordered evictions in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. New Zealand is the latest nation to make a declaration about human rights abuses against Uyghur people in China. And trillions of cicadas that have been maturing underground for 17 years are starting to emerge in the eastern US.
The World Health Organization gave emergency use authorization on Friday to a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by China's Sinopharm, which could pave the way to helping vaccinate poorer countries. And, the ports of Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland have become flashpoints, as Brexit has turned them into de facto borders. Also, a new album released Friday is aimed at raising awareness about musicians in Iran who continually find themselves at risk for censorship, or even jail.
In a major policy shift, the US announced it would support the COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver efforts and engage in negotiations over the specifics. But many in the vaccine industry warn that a waiver does not address the underlying problem of vaccine shortages. And, the European Union and the United Nations are expressing concern over police violence against protesters in the Colombian city of Cali, where officers have killed and injured several protesters this week. Also, is nudism experiencing a renaissance during lockdown? One society of nudists in the UK says they’ve experienced an uptick in interest during the pandemic.
Facebook's independent Oversight Board on Monday announced that President Donald Trump's suspension from the platform would be upheld. What are the global implications for world leaders? European Union ambassadors met Wednesday to discuss plans to reopen Europe’s borders to tourists from around the world. And, the volcanic “ring of fire” that stretches across Latin America and the Caribbean has a vast store of geothermal reserves that could, in theory, be tapped for the creation of geothermal energy.
A section of the Mexico City metro collapsed late Monday, killing at least 23 people and injuring at least 79, according to officials. The accident happened on the city's newest line, just completed in 2012. And, Syria is set to hold presidential elections in May, with Bashar al-Assad widely expected to win. Many displaced Syrians in Turkey see the elections as a sham. Also, momentum is building for Japan to pass an LGBTQ equality act before the Tokyo Summer Olympics. And, a Belgian farmer casually relocated a historic marker stone while out tending to his property. Find out why it caused quite a stir.
Two doctors, siblings, one in India and another one in the US — at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 — are finding ways to support each other, despite challenges. A landmark trial involving tech giant Apple gets underway in the US, just days after European regulators accused Apple of breaking EU competition rules. And a quieter revolution is playing out in Myanmar, one that is mostly happening indoors.
Doctors around the world are working to understand “long COVID” — a lingering range of symptoms that persists in some people after they have initially recovered from COVID-19 illness. As part of The World's regular series of conversations with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health about the pandemic, and as a special in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Dr. Andrew Chan who addressed long COVID.
More of The World's Coronavirus Conversation series: https://theworld.org/coronavirus-conversations
Tens of thousands of religious Jews gathered in northern Israel to celebrate the annual holiday of Lag BaOmer. A stampede in a steep, tunnel-like passageway started when people slipped and fell, creating a deadly crush. And, elections in India continued this week despite the massive surge in COVID-19 cases. Also, the gun culture in both Brazil and the US is similar, but the current leaders in both nations are addressing the topic differently.
As India faces a devastating coronavirus surge, most hospitals and pharmacies in New Delhi, the capital, have run out of stocks. Now, people are turning to social media with desperate pleas for ICU beds, medicine and oxygen tanks to keep their loved ones alive. And, millions of people around the world are involved in forced labor. US Customs and Border Patrol has started to seize goods made through forced labor, but critics say they are not transparent enough. Also, an audio postcard about vaccine skepticism in China, by Shanghai author and resident Yashu Zhang.
India is in a coronavirus state of emergency. The Indian government says that they are seeing more than 300,000 new COVID-19 infections each day — more than anywhere else in the world — and those are just the reported cases. And, Denmark has become the first country in the European Union to revoke the residency status of Syrian refugees. Also, while travel restrictions remain in place for many countries, those in Taiwan seeking an island getaway are in luck. The country has been operating a travel bubble with Palau since the beginning of April.
A center in Turkey near the border with Syria, which helped Syrian child laborers get therapy and education, has been shut down because of the pandemic. Now there are concerns about the fate of the children who benefited from it. And, Brazil's congress is starting an inquiry into President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic, while the number of COVID-19 deaths in the country continues to set records. Also, beavers reminded Canadians of their national animal status last weekend when they gnawed through some fiber cables and shut down internet service in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
The Biden administration on Sunday lifted an export ban on raw materials for vaccines for India. The shift in policy comes amid an outbreak in India that is pushing that country’s health system to the brink. And, thousands of health care workers in Mexico have yet to get a coronavirus vaccine, even as government officials have moved on to giving shots to other priority groups. Also, three German gymnasts took a stand against sexualization in the sport this weekend — wearing full-body uniforms at the European championships.
India continues to record dizzying levels of coronavirus cases, setting the record two days in a row for the most daily infections around the world. And, researchers have found in preliminary results that a new vaccine for malaria is more than 77% effective in a clinical trial in Burkina Faso. Also, British Indian composer and pop musician Nitin Sawhney — whose music ties in deeply with politics, society, race and class — reflects on the Derek Chauvin trial.
With several vaccines approved, health authorities around the world are racing to inoculate populations before new, potentially more dangerous, variants of the coronavirus spread. What are the implications of the COVID-19 variants? As part of The World's regular series of conversations on the pandemic, and as a special in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Harvard epidemiologist Michael Mina.
Find more of our Coronavirus Conversations series here: https://www.theworld.org/coronavirus-conversations
At a US-hosted climate summit launched on Earth Day, the Biden administration hopes to prove what it's been saying for months: The US is back as a leader on climate action. And, in the wake of the Derek Chauvin trial, activists argue that increasingly militarized police shows that the US cannot solve its police brutality problems on its own. Also, a toaster-sized instrument on NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars has taken the planet’s carbon dioxide atmosphere and has made oxygen with it.
Throughout 2020, Black Lives Matter protests swept the globe sending millions of people into the streets. Often, these protests prompted people to look inward and revive calls for justice where they live. And, a jury on Tuesday found ex-police officer Derek Chauvin guilty in the murder of George Floyd. The case has raised questions about police brutality and justice in the US. Also, A plan by 12 of Europe's top football teams to form an elite breakaway league has fallen apart just three days after it was announced.
In recent years, thousands of Afghans have been forced out of their country because of direct threats from the Taliban. Now, with the US troop withdrawal looming, many Afghans face an uncertain future. And, US and Russia relations have reached a new low point after news that the US ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, will be returning to the United States this week. Also, Biden administration officials have been meeting with members of Brazil's Bolsonaro government to work out a multibillion-dollar deal to curb rampant deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
French lawmakers passed a bill that could punish anyone sharing images or videos of police officers with the intent to cause "psychological or physical" harm. And, Russian dissident Alexei Navalny has been taken to a prison hospital following a three-week hunger strike and deteriorating health. Can the US intervene? Also, the long-awaited travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand is now open, allowing Aussies to travel to New Zealand without a required two-week quarantine.
The Biden administration on Thursday slapped new sanctions on the Kremlin. Now, Moscow has responded with a set of its own sanctions against the US. And, a significant change is set for the future of Cuba: Raúl Castro is expected to step down as Communist Party secretary-general this weekend. Also, the European Commission is expected to unveil its long-awaited proposal on artificial intelligence regulations.
The Biden administration has imposed significant sanctions against Russia. The sanctions tackle what the White House calls "harmful foreign activities by the Russian government." And, following the US announced plan to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by September, women fear a return to the dark days of oppression and abuse under Taliban rule. Also, boba, the chewy tapioca pearls in bubble tea, are in short supply due to shipping backups at ports in the US. But the concerns about a nationwide boba shortage may be unwarranted.
Afghans have five months before US troops depart and many see that period as the last chance to push the peace process forward. And, the police shooting of Daunte Wright, an unarmed Black man killed by an officer during a traffic stop in a suburb of Minneapolis, is raising questions once again about why policing in the US can be so deadly — and how other nations do things differently. Also, an island in Thailand has a creative way to lure back foreigners — without bringing in COVID-19.
President Joe Biden announced a new deadline to pull American troops out of Afghanistan for Sept. 11, 2021. It's an important development in the push to end a nearly 20-year war. And, the tension between Russia and Ukraine continues to build as tens of thousands of Russian troops have amassed along Ukraine's border. Now Ukraine, the US and Europe are on alert. Also, the government of Japan announced on Tuesday plans to release treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Israel reiterating Washington’s commitment to the country. The visit came coincidently as news of an explosion emerged from Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. And, voters in Ecuador have elected conservative businessman Guillermo Lasso as their new president. Also, Monday marks 60 years since Russian Yuri Gagarin’s first voyage into space.
COVID-19 cases are rising in India as its vaccination drive attempts to keep up. And, since President Joe Biden's first day in office, US-China relations have been both a priority and a concern. This week, Taiwan has been at the center of attention because China has revved up pressure there, with military exercises by air and sea. Also, new research shows Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica may be even more vulnerable than scientists realized.
Rioters set fire to a hijacked bus and lobbed gasoline bombs at police in Belfast Wednesday. Tensions have been on the rise since Britain's exit from the European Union. And, New Zealand recently made headlines when its Parliament approved a bill that requires employers to offer three days of bereavement leave for people who miscarry. Also, when pubs reopen fully in mid-May, the UK government is considering a COVID-19 certificate scheme that requires customers to prove they have been vaccinated.
Since the arrival of its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines last month, Kenya has been rushing to vaccinate its front-line workers amid a deadly third wave. And, two months after a military coup in Myanmar, troops have killed more than 500 civilians, often simply for demanding the army give power back to elected officials. Also, since its launch in December 2020, the Calma Line has received about 1,300 calls from men in the city of Bogotá, Colombia, where they can speak with a psychologist about their feelings. It's an effort to dismantle machismo — oftentimes linked to domestic violence.
The world needs a coronavirus vaccine that can protect people against emerging variants. But this idea — a vaccine to combat multiple strains — is easier said than done. And, the number of transgender people who hide their identity at work has risen sharply in Britain. Also, a few years ago, banning plastic straws was the hot environmental trend. China is on board and banned disposable plastic in restaurants at the beginning of this year, generating a backlash from bubble-tea fans.
As Jordan’s royal dispute plays out between two top royals, many Jordanians are just trying to get by. And, the EU has announced a quarter billion euros to fund five new refugee camps on the Greek islands, including Lesbos, but some are worried the new sites will not improve conditions for migrants. Also, in Egypt this weekend, 22 mummies were on the move in a multimillion-dollar parade featuring 18 kings and four queens who were transported from the Egyptian Museum to their new resting place — the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
Twenty-three years ago on Friday, the Irish and British governments, along with most of the political parties in Northern Ireland signed the Good Friday accords. Former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern says Brexit has undercut the peace pact. And, migrant women have alleged gender discrimination in US seasonal work. For the first time, they now have a way to file complaints directly with Mexico or the US. Also, as more Venezuelans migrate to Colombia, integration has not been easy. A kickball league in one Colombian border town has eased tensions through cross-cultural communication.
Myanmar’s military regime has killed more than 500 unarmed civilians since seizing power in a coup eight weeks ago. But the troops aren't just killing protesters. They’re also shooting at medics, nurses and EMTs who try to save the lives of injured protesters. And, across Africa, new daily cases of the coronavirus are rising at an alarming rate. Also, Apple announced that its iPhone digital assistant, Siri, would not by default be a woman's voice.
Brazil’s top military commanders resigned Wednesday following a shuffling of President Jair Bolsonaro’s Cabinet. The political shake-up comes amid a worsening crisis over the coronavirus in the country where emergency rooms are beyond capacity. Also, US President Joe Biden unveiled his $2 trillion infrastructure plan on Wednesday. He framed the eight-year spending plan as a program to create jobs, promote racial equity and tackle the climate crisis. And, while France is locking down to prevent a third wave of the coronavirus, artists are demanding that theaters and live performances return.
Brazil — Latin America’s largest country — is experiencing a deepening crisis with the coronavirus pandemic. As part of The World's regular series of conversations about the pandemic and as a special in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Marcia Castro, chair of the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who addresses the situation in Brazil.
Explore more of The World's Coronavirus Conversation series: https://www.theworld.org/coronavirus-conversations
A long-awaited report was released on Tuesday outlining findings on the origins of the coronavirus outbreak. And, a top European Union official traveled to Greece this week to announce funding for several new refugee plans on Greek islands. Also, students in a bilingual program at Winnipeg's Isaac Brock School won first prize in an Indigenous language competition for their Cree rendition of the Raffi song “Baby Beluga."
Myanmar’s military celebrated Armed Forces Day on Saturday with a display of tanks, missiles and marches. Meanwhile, its troops were dispatched across the country, quelling a civilian uprising that left more than 100 citizens dead, including young children. And, a much-anticipated report is expected this week, laying out the findings of a World Health Organization joint mission to China. The report says that animals were likely the source of the coronavirus outbreak. Also, the world’s most expensive traffic jam is finally easing up after the Ever Given container ship was dislodged from the Suez Canal in Egypt.
Many families, most from parts of Central America, are being turned back by US officials at the US-Mexico border in the name of a Trump-era policy to block non-US citizens entering the US by land. And, in the week since American and Chinese officials had their frosty meetings in Alaska, tensions between China and North American and European nations have only escalated. Also, a cargo ship the size of the Empire State Building is blocking traffic in the Suez Canal. It’s a nightmare for the global supply chain but a boon for memes on social media.
There seems to be a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel with the approval of several vaccines and the widespread rollout of vaccination campaigns around the world. But questions about vaccine acceptance persist. As part of The World's regular series of conversations about the coronavirus and as a special feature in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Harvard University public opinion expert Gillian SteelFisher, who discussed public attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines.
Listen to more of The World's Coronavirus Conversation series: https://www.theworld.org/coronavirus-conversations
When the pandemic first hit, the Trump administration used a policy called Title 42 to justify its tightening of the southern border. Plenty of critics including public health experts say the policy doesn't have a science-based approach. And India is now dealing with a surge in COVID-19 infections, this time with a new variant. Also, H&M faces calls for a boycott in China after the company spoke out about Uyghur human rights abuses and concerns over forced labor in the production of cotton in Xinjiang province.
What are the root causes that are driving tens of thousands of Central Americans to come to the US-Mexico border? That's a question White House officials are starting to tackle. Senior advisers to President Joe Biden were in Mexico this week discussing possible solutions. And, Chinese students in the US and China respond to the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans. Also, while Madrid's mayor is encouraging more cars in the city center, walkers and cyclists are fighting to get more pedestrian space and bike lanes.
Another city, another tragic shooting in the United States, this time in a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, on Monday. The shooter killed 10 people in a horrific mass shooting, again capturing the global spotlight less than a week after a shooting in Atlanta left eight dead. And, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has withdrawn his country from a treaty protecting women from gender-based violence. Also, The World remembers Nawal El Saadawi, an Egyptian feminist, writer, doctor and activist who passed away on Sunday.
Migrants continue to arrive in large numbers at the US-Mexico border, with many more expected in the days ahead. The Biden administration is taking a lot of heat from many sides for not being adequately prepared. Also, an unlikely new alliance has formed between conservatives and progressives in El Salvador: They came together in opposition to foreign mining companies. And, Israel will hold yet another national election — the country's fourth round of voting in two years. We have a preview of how Israelis are feeling ahead of Tuesday's vote.
Top US and Chinese officials have gathered face-to-face for discussions in Alaska. The meetings publicly got off to a rough start but officials say progress was being made behind closed doors. And, the US announced plans to send a total of 4 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Mexico and Canada. Also, the Iron Dames — an all-female professional racing team competing in Grand Touring endurance racing — is far from a marketing gimmick. They’ve already qualified for big-name races and hope to lead the way for future female pilots.
The US House is considering two immigration bills that are expected to address citizenship for young immigrants and undocumented farmworker protection. The legislation comes as the Biden administration confronts a growing humanitarian challenge at the US-Mexico border. And, a group of London teenagers recently put up guerrilla road signs that highlight the disproportional effect of toxic air on people of color. Also, a memo from Afghanistan's Ministry of Education banning girls over the age of 12 from singing in public has triggered a backlash on social media.
Shootings at three Atlanta-area spas last night left eight people dead. Six of the victims were Asian women, raising concerns about the growing threat of anti-Asian violence. And, Dublin’s Violet Gibson is the Irishwoman you've probably never heard of who actually shot Benito Mussolini in 1926. Also, socially distanced dancers from the folk dance ensemble Shamrock Bhangra shake their stuff in front of the famous manor Castletown House in County Kildare, Ireland.
The United States now accounts for almost four out of every five coronavirus vaccine doses given across the Americas. But with the improved inoculation rollout, many poor countries are falling behind. And, a growing number of European nations are suspending use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine because of reports of dangerous blood clots. That’s despite the fact that international regulators haven’t produced evidence showing that vaccinations are to blame for the clots. Also, a new study shows human-caused forest degradation has made large swaths of the Amazon Rainforest a net emitter of greenhouse gases.
In December 2020, the company FireEye noticed that it had been the victim of a cyberintrusion. And it wasn’t the only one. About 18,000 companies and government agencies were breached — everything from the agency that controls America’s nuclear weapons to the agency that regulates the electric grid to a company whose products you probably use every day: Microsoft. So, what did they have in common? They were all using the same software monitoring service: a platform called Orion, from the company SolarWinds. The breach leaves the US open to nightmare scenario after nightmare scenario. In this episode of "Things That Go Boom," The World's partner podcast from PRX, host Laicie Heeley examines how we got here, and explores how can we prevent similar attacks in the future.
Guests:
Mieke Eoyang, senior vice president for the National Security Program and chairperson of the Cyber Enforcement Initiative, Third Way
Juliet Okafor, founder and CEO, Revolution Cyber
As the Syrian revolution and civil war has played out over the last decade, up to 1 million Syrian refugees fled to Lebanon and many have stayed. And, Europe is facing a dangerous, new surge of COVID-19 cases, just as Italy, France and Germany suspend use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The Grammys changed its category Best World Music Album to Best Global Music Album. What’s with the change in thinking?
A new report from Oxford and the UN has found that economic recovery spending has not been as climate-focused as many advocates have been hoping for. But there’s hope for the future. And, at his address to the nation Thursday night, US President Joe Biden said that all Americans over 18 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1. But elsewhere in the world, the picture looks very different. Also, a current hit from Cameroon, Aveiro Djess’ song “Le Nyama,” celebrates the drudgery of people working night shifts and tries to give them a sense of liberation.
In May 2011, just weeks after the Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown, The World’s Marco Werman visited the port city of Ishinomaki, where more than 3,000 people died after a 9.0 earthquake triggered a tsunami that flattened much of the city. Ten years later, we return to Ishinomaki, after a decade of rebuilding. And, after a year into the pandemic, hate crimes against Asian Americans appear to be on the rise around the US. Also, while the pandemic is far from over, museums are looking ahead to how this period may be remembered.
The pandemic was officially declared one year ago by the World Health Organization on Thursday. It is hard to fathom the magnitude and the losses since then. The World looks to how psychologists are bracing for the ripple effects in years to come. Also, the immense challenge of the global vaccination effort has led to some creativity in making the jab accessible. And, a new art project in Japan commemorates the earthquake and Fukushima nuclear disaster by speaking to some of the children and teenagers who experienced the quake and stayed.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey included revealing comments about the British royal family that has led to frank discussions in British society about race and racism in the royal palace. And, corruption convictions against former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have been thrown out by the country’s Supreme Court, potentially paving the way for another presidential run. Also, a recent report has found that globally, people threw out more than a billion tons of food last year.
On this International Women’s Day, The World takes a look at the groundbreaking role women have played during the pandemic in the research and innovation of coronavirus vaccines. Also, across Latin America, demonstrators have taken to the streets to protest against gender violence. And, one visible change since President Joe Biden took office is a steady rise in the number of migrants at the US-Mexico border, including children arriving alone, often hoping to reunite with a parent or close relative in the US.
China's National People's Congress began Friday by setting out broad plans for economic growth. Environment observers around the world are also keeping an eye on plans from China’s top lawmaking body for reducing carbon emissions over the next five years. And, for years, the US military has depended on Afghan interpreters for languages and advice on local norms. But when troops return home, the interpreters stay behind and can face deadly threats. Also, in Colombia, a frog farm is trying to defeat poachers, by competing against them.
The deadly crackdowns by Myanmar security forces on demonstrators protesting a military coup are raising alarm in the West. How the US responds to calls for action on Myanmar is becoming a test of President Biden's foreign policy team. And, Pope Francis travels to Iraq on Friday for a three-day visit, despite the pandemic and escalating violence. Also, a team of multidisciplinary researchers has “virtually unfolded” a sealed letter, never opened, from the 17th century.
Despite vaccination campaigns underway, the end of the pandemic is still a way off and the death toll continues to weigh on the mental health of people around the world. How do you grieve amid the ongoing suffering? As part of The World's regular series of conversations with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health and as a special feature in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with clinical psychologist Christy Denckla.
Find more from our series here: https://theworld.org/coronavirusconversations.
On Tuesday, Brazil experienced its highest daily death toll from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. Hospital systems across the country are overwhelmed and scientists say a new variant spreading there appears to be more contagious. Also, global carbon emissions dropped by 7% in 2020 compared to 2019. And, a recent decision by the Cherokee Supreme Court to remove the words "by blood" from its constitution clarifies who can be a citizen of the Nation.
The Biden administration is evaluating the sanctions former President Trump imposed on members of the International Criminal Court over the ICC's investigation of possible war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan. Prominent groups are calling on the Biden administration to lift those sanctions. And, President Biden held his first video conference with his Mexican counterpart, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Also, Erika Rischko has been posting fitness and dance videos on the app TikTok over the past year from her home in Germany. The 81-year-old now has more than 125,000 followers and millions of likes.
Police and troops in Myanmar are intensifying a crackdown on unarmed protesters. They opened fire on civilians, killing at least 18 people on Sunday and wounding dozens. And in Pakistan, past vaccine programs have been hindered by a mix of conspiracy theories, a CIA operation and opposition by religious leaders. Will it be different with COVID-19? Also, it was a big night for Chloé Zhao who on Sunday became the first woman of Asian descent to win a Golden Globe for directing.
The US launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. And, Israel wasn’t the first country to begin vaccinations, but the pace and scale of its vaccination campaign have made it a world leader in shots per capita. Also, scientists have dated the oldest rock art painting from a cave in remote northwestern Australia using fossilized wasp nests. The painting is a life-size depiction of a kangaroo.
France has one of the highest rates of vaccine skepticism in the world. In order to address this, the government created a citizen advisory committee to help set vaccination policy. And, a mixed-use mini-city on the outskirts of Vienna showcases what’s possible for green building, mobility and sustainability. Also, fans planning to watch the gilded Olympic torch pass by on its route through Japan are being asked to avoid cheering and instead only applaud the runners.
A review by the US Food and Drug Administration found Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine shot for the coronavirus is safe and effective — sending a strong positive signal throughout the world. So, what does that mean for the pandemic? And, in a landmark ruling, a German court convicted a Syrian intelligence officer for aiding and abetting torture and abuse in Syria. Also, a herd of 20 plains bison have been released on Poundmaker Cree Nation territory in Saskatchewan, Canada. It's been 150 years since plains bison last roamed there.
China's goal is to inoculate about 70% of its population. That's nearly a billion people, and it's got a big challenge. And, widespread protests have erupted every night for the last week in Spain protesting — and often clashing with police — over the imprisonment of rapper Pablo Hasél. Also, archaeologists have unearthed a large-scale brewery in Egypt dating back 5,000 years.
Ever since Myanmar’s military led a coup, demonstrators have flooded the streets of major cities. Now, the tense standoff between the military and the popular uprising has taken a deadly turn after the deaths of three protesters. And, the COVID-19 vaccine effort is in many ways like no other, even to organizations like UNICEF, which has been working on vaccine outreach for decades. Also, NASA’s latest exploration of Mars with the Perseverance rover sent audio back from the Red Planet for the very first time.
In a break from the previous administration, the White House announced that it is ready to meet with Iran and other signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal. And, getting soldiers and militias fighting wars to lay down their weapons for a vaccine rollout seems unlikely. But Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary General Jan Egeland suggests it can happen, and it can be a first step to ending conflicts. Also, landing of Perseverance rover on Mars was accompanied by NASA's first-ever Spanish language broadcast for a planetary landing.
The freezing temperatures have resulted in rolling blackouts across Texas, that extend to most of northern Mexico. Millions are stuck without power and thousands of factories have shut down. And, Australian Facebook saw a total news blackout on Thursday after the company preempted a proposed law that would have forced the company to pay media organizations for news content on the tech platform. Also, Seiko Hashimoto, a seven-time Olympian, has been named the new head of the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympics.
There were cheers and applause on Wednesday in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the country's first coronavirus vaccines were administered after the country’s national rollout was halted after a complicated and disappointing start. And, the United Kingdom on Wednesday approved the world's first coronavirus human challenge study. Also, Peter Gabriel has re-recorded his classic song “Biko” with help from musicians around the globe to continue raising awareness about racism.
Politician Marine Le Pen is the face of the far-right in France. But, for the past few years, she's been trying to remake her image and recast her National Rally party away from its extremist roots. And, a resistance is taking root after more than two weeks since Myanmar’s military detained elected officials and seized total power in a coup. Also, for many Polish Americans, Fat Tuesday goes by another name — Paczki Day.
China is successfully controlling the spread of COVID-19 infections. But people there aren’t taking chances this Chinese New Year — they’re staying put. Also, over the weekend, former US President Donald Trump was acquitted in the Senate impeachment trial. However, some lawmakers are now calling for further investigation into the events of the Capitol breach — including creating a 9/11 style commission. And, we get an update on vaccine distribution in Latin America.
In a call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, President Joe Biden said he would keep tariffs on China in place since the Trump administration for the time being. In the UK, with new Brexit rules, British musicians say the industry is in jeopardy. Also, Friday is Chinese New Year, a time for celebration when streets and restaurants overflow with food and festivities. But the pandemic has hit some Chinese communities in the US especially hard as tourism has fallen off the map. And, South Africa is rolling out vaccines for the coronavirus this month. It's tricky, given the relative ineffectiveness of some vaccines against a new variant that emerged there.
As protests over a military takeover continue in Myanmar, on Thursday, the Biden administration announced new sanctions against the country's top military officials who led the coup. The sanctions will prevent the generals from accessing more than $1 billion in Myanmar government funds held in the US. And, for years, conflict, insecurity and lack of economic opportunities sent many Afghans to neighboring countries like Iran. But when the Islamic Republic became an epicenter for the coronavirus, many had no choice but to head back home. Also, the US Postal Service has released a new stamp honoring groundbreaking Chinese American nuclear physicist Chien-Shiung Wu.
As prosecutors from the US House made their case for the impeachment of former President Donald Trump, security was on high alert in Washington. There are more police and National Guard and access to the Capitol building is tight — but how long will this continue? And, opposition activists and lawmakers are demanding that Haitian President Jovenel Moïse step down. Also, an ancient conch shell thought to be a drinking vessel has now been determined to be a musical instrument — the earliest known conch shell horn.
As the second historic impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump begins in Washington, The World explores the question: What do the trial and the siege of Capitol Hill have in common with the rise of right-wing, populist politics in some eastern European countries? And, a report about how to reconcile the French and Algerian people, commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron, has failed to recommend France apologize or make reparations for its actions in Algeria. Also, an Olympic sailing champion’s testimony of sexual assault has sparked a #MeToo movement in Greece.
Darlene Turner is an Inupiaq Eskimo living on a battle line. Not the military kind, the climate change kind. With less sea ice to buffer storms, the ocean is washing away chunks of her village and its residents have made a difficult decision to relocate. “Would you relocate?” she asks.
Experts believe stories like Turner’s are just a precursor to a massive migratory trend that could have millions of Americans on the move before mid-century.
In this episode of "Things That Go Boom," The World's partner podcast from PRX, host Laicie Heeley examines how "climigration" could play out, and how climate change can become a threat multiplier.
A week ago, Myanmar's military ended the country's brief experiment with democracy, leading a coup and taking full control over the government. But in recent days, crowds of protesters have taken to the streets to say otherwise. And, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says lifting sanctions is a prerequisite to getting back to the negotiation table with the US on the nuclear deal. Also, we remember George Shultz, one of the most influential secretaries of state in US history, who died Saturday.
US President Joe Biden delivered what many viewed as a morale boost to the foreign service on Thursday. In his first major foreign policy speech as president, Biden declared that "diplomacy is back." And, the world is witnessing the biggest vaccine campaign in history. Now, eight weeks since the first COVID-19 shots arrived, where are we with vaccine rollout? Also, an all-female rowing team based in the UK have become the first team to complete the 3,000-mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in an eco-boat.
It's been over three years since the Trump administration began separating families at the US-Mexico border as part of a zero-tolerance policy. This week, President Joe Biden announced a task force to reunite families, but some people have already been doing the arduous work searching for parents. And, almost a year into the pandemic, societies around the world are faced with immense contradictions. Also, carbon offsets have been gaining popularity — one project in the Maritimes provinces of Canada holds promise.
The protests led by farmers in India are entering their third month with no sign of ending. Now, global celebrities are weighing in on the standoff including Rihanna and Greta Thunberg. And, the people helping manage vaccine shortages and rising cases of the coronavirus in populations across African countries are some of the best equipped for responding to infectious diseases and the pandemic. But the continent is now facing a second, more threatening wave of COVID-19. Also, Scandinavia's largest festival, the Göteborg Film Festival, is going ahead this year but for an audience of one.
In Myanmar, a military coup has outraged citizens. Some of their elected leaders have been detained and cut off from the world and no one knows if the army will lock up even more civilians. And, Tuesday, President Biden signed three executive orders to alter US immigration policies. Also, a new study published by the Lancet shows that Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is nearly 92% effective against COVID-19, according to interim trial results.
For a second weekend in a row, demonstrators across Russia came out to the streets to call for the release of opposition politician Alexei Navalny from jail. And, Myanmar’s military has seized power in a coup. The takeover happened before dawn on Monday with politicians taken from their homes and detained. Also, while concerns are growing over the limited supplies of approved COVID-19 vaccines, behind the scenes, the vaccine powerhouse Serum Institute of India is massively scaling up and is expected to play a pivotal role in supplying the world.
The global race toward the mass vaccination of populations continues to face hurdles around the world just as new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus are identified. And, the United Kingdom, with one of the highest COVID-19 mortality rates per capita in the world, has a new way to stop the spread of the coronavirus by putting people in hotels to quarantine. Also, long before Wuhan became known as the city where the first cases of the coronavirus were found, it had built a very different reputation as a hotbed of punk and indie rock.
The Biden administration has been undoing several controversial policies of the last four years including former President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration. And, with less than six months until the Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to take place, officials are still finalizing plans for how to keep athletes safe from the coronavirus. Also, cleaning, cooking and taking care of children is work typically unpaid and overwhelmingly, around the world, done by women. But a political party in India is putting forward a bold proposal that could change that.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday held a confirmation hearing for President Joe Biden's nominee to represent the US at the United Nations, veteran diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Also, a new study suggests that the global economy will take a major hit if low- and middle-income countries aren’t able to vaccinate their populations. And, more and more Arab women are becoming professional mountaineers, and they are making history on the mountains.
Thousands of farmers took to the streets of India’s capital on Tuesday as part of monthslong protests against agricultural laws that farmers say put their livelihoods at risk. Vishavjit Singh, a Sikh American artist and activist, suggests there’s an important similarity between the farmers in India and minorities in the US: the need to be seen and heard. And, President Joe Biden’s longtime confidant and longtime statesman, Antony Blinken, was confirmed as the next US secretary of state. Also, most ski resorts in Europe shut down this winter because of the pandemic. But Austria decided to keep running the lifts.
Just after President Dwight D. Eisenhower assumed office on Jan. 20, 1953, deep in the middle of the Cold War, his greatest adversary died. The speech that followed is considered one of his best, though not his most well-known. Today, it’s not hard to imagine Eisenhower standing up before us and making the same case he did almost 70 years ago. In this episode of "Things That Go Boom," The World's partner podcast from PRX, host Laicie Heeley sits down with US Sen. Chris Murphy, someone in a position to offer a unique perspective on Eisenhower’s “Chance for Peace.”
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador — known to flout wearing a mask — said Sunday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and was receiving treatment for mild symptoms. And, civil rights groups are raising concerns about moves by the US Congress to strengthen laws to investigate and charge domestic terrorists suggesting it could result in the targeting of Black and other diverse communities. Also, after being inspired by South Korea's K-pop genre, a band named Ninety One pioneered "Q-pop," or Qazaq-pop, in Kazakhstan.
The Biden administration announced plans to overturn former President Donald Trump’s travel ban on refugees and travelers from many Muslim-majority countries. And, as President Biden and his foreign policy team get to work, one country presents some big challenges: China. Also, the rumor mill heated up on Thursday after a London newspaper reported the Summer Olympics would be called off. But officials with the International Olympic Committee say that the games are on schedule.
A year after the first lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China, there are two different narratives: one of heroism and teamwork, and another about loss and pain. And, after four years of the US reneging on international agreements and rolling back domestic environmental regulations, what does the Biden-Harris administration have to do to regain trust and lead the world on climate action — as Biden has promised to do? Also, starting this year, the Spanish government is now paying for 16 weeks of paternity leave for new fathers.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced school systems around the world to piece together patchworks of in-person, remote and hybrid learning programs. What’s the latest science on children and COVID-19? As part of The World's regular series of conversations on the pandemic with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health and as a special in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Harvard education expert Meira Levinson and epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch.
US President Joe Biden used his inaugural address to send a message to the world, taking the opportunity to directly repudiate Trump's “America First” policy. And, Biden outlined his top priorities on Wednesday including the environment, calling climate change one of the "cascading crises" America faces as he takes office. Also, in stark contrast to former President Trump's policies and approach, the Biden administration marks a major shift in the US pandemic response globally.
Guatemalan soldiers forcefully prevented a large group of migrants who were attempting to walk across the country and eventually reach the US. The tough stand taken by Guatemala at its border is in large part because of policies put in place during the Trump administration. Also, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Tuesday that the Chinese Communist Party has “committed genocide” against the Uighur ethnic group. Also, 12 bottles of Bordeaux red wine are now back on Earth after aging for the last year aboard the International Space Station.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of the recent election and will begin his sixth term in office. But, the main opposition candidate is calling the election fraudulent. And, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s work and activism profoundly shaped the US, but it also has had a huge global impact. Also, Italian authorities are calling for proposals of a new, historically accurate recreation of the iconic Colosseum floor, after over a millennium of having a bare arena.
China, which had no deaths from COVID-19 on its mainland for eight months, has responded to reports of 500 new cases by locking down 28 million people. Also, for the first time in its 30-year history, an Israeli human rights group, B'Tselem, has called Israel an "apartheid regime" in a new report. And, the first place many of us go answers about any given subject is Wikipedia. The online encyclopedia, which is curated by volunteers and open to all, turned 20 on Friday.
A now-viral photo shows New Jersey Rep. Andy Kim cleaning up the Capitol rotunda after the mob rampage. Rep. Kim speaks with The World’s Marco Werman. Also, China is the biggest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, but at the same time, it's at the forefront of renewable energy innovation and has some of the world's largest conservation projects. And, a group of artists in Istanbul turned an abandoned apartment building into a multistory art installation.
Donald Trump was impeached for a second time Wednesday as the House of Representatives debated whether to remove the US president. And, Canadian authorities are considering designating the Proud Boys, a right-wing extremist group founded by a Canadian, as a terrorist organization in the wake of the crisis at the US Capitol. Also, the European Union's Food Safety Authority said on Wednesday that mealworms are safe for human consumption.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that Cuba will be re-designated a state sponsor of terrorism. And, on Thursday, millions of Ugandans will go to the polls to vote for president in an election that has been marked by violence and the arrest of opposition figures. Also, so-called “‘edible public spaces” can come in a lot of different shapes and sizes, ranging from a community garden to five-acre forest to a citrus tree on the side of a road.
US President Donald Trump’s remaining days in office have the nation, and the world, on edge. And, even with all the available images of the storming of the US Capitol, it's still hard to comprehend. Many are asking how the attack was even possible? Also, The Guinness World Records has confirmed that Stig Severinsen has broken the world distance record for swimming with fins with just one breath.
The attack on US Capitol building Wednesday by a mob of pro-Trump extremists has raised new questions about US national security. And, the top infectious disease doctor in the US and incoming medical adviser to President-elect Joe Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci, discusses the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, lessons from the past, and what changes to expect in the US response as Biden takes office. Also, thousands of apple varieties exist around the world. Now, thanks for a serendipitous find in southwest England, a new fruit could soon be added to the list.
The US has presented itself as a beacon of democracy around the world. How have the events of this week impacted the US’ image? And, among those who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday were supporters of QAnon, a dangerous conspiracy theory that has grown internationally. Also, host Carol Hills speaks with Sri Lankan writer Indi Samarajiva who shares his experience living through the recent coup in his country and the violent events that followed.
The peaceful transition of power is a democratic principle that for the most part hasn't been challenged here in the US. But this year, after this election, many Americans are nervous as angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday. And, in contrast to other vaccination programs, in Israel, health officials have been vaccinating about 1.5% of the population every day. Also, a valuable painting by Wassily Kandinsky is in a major museum in Amsterdam. It once belonged to a Jewish family before World War II. Now the heirs are suing to get it back.
Health professionals in India are gearing up to begin the world’s most ambitious vaccination campaign after officials there approved the emergency use of two COVID-19 vaccines. And, one of the main issues the US President-elect Joe Biden’s administration will be dealing with when it enters the White House is the war in Afghanistan. Also, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain have ended their 3-year-old land, air and sea blockade on Qatar.
It’s been one year since the US killed Iran’s top military commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone attack in Iraq. And, on the campaign trail, Democratic candidate Joe Biden said he would end a Trump administration program that makes asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border wait out their court cases in Mexico. President-elect Biden has walked back the timeline of his promise. So what’s next? Also, in the US, hairy crabs are seen as a menace, but in China they are a delicacy — and lately, they are selling big.
Britain has finally severed ties with the European Union ending the Brexit saga. Leaving the EU also marked the end of the Erasmus exchange program, which allowed students to live and study in any other EU country for a year. And, there's a lot of hope riding on 2021. What are the important trends that will shape the year ahead? Also, the University of Texas at San Antonio is home to a collection of more than 2,000 historic Mexican recipe books. During coronavirus lockdowns, they released collections of these recipes online so that cooks can now enjoy them at home.
In 2020, we leaned on videos, music and books more than ever to keep us sane and connected. The World's correspondents check in on the global pop culture trends that captured our lives on lockdown, from Iceland to Kenya to Mexico. And, the 1918 flu pandemic was overshadowed by the destruction of World War I but it still left a lasting cultural legacy — including zombie literature and Ouija boards. Also, we hear new music from a French and Norwegian jazz duo, Mino Cinélu, from Martinique, and Nils Petter Molvær, from Norway.
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Why is the UK approving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine now? And, with dosing details changing over time, what exactly, have they approved? As money from the $900 billion US pandemic relief package starts landing in Americans’ bank accounts, we take a comparative look at how other countries have handled economic stimulus during the pandemic. And Argentina's Senate voted to legalize abortions up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. The historic move follows years of grassroots organizing in the predominantly Catholic country.
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Colombian President Iván Duque says his administration will not provide vaccines for undocumented immigrants in the country. It's estimated more than 1 million people from Venezuela are living in Colombia without authorization. And, China is building a southern wall along its border with Myanmar, which is struggling to control the spread of COVID-19. Also, Russia on Monday updated its coronavirus fatality numbers showing the death toll is more than three times higher than previously reported.
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A coordinated effort to vaccinate the population of Europe against the coronavirus got underway on Sunday in what the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described as a "moment of unity" for the continent. And, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says that no civilians were killed during the weeks of military operations in the country’s north. But more than 50,000 Ethiopian refugees who fled Tigray for neighboring Sudan tell a different story. Also, scientists have found that there are groups of blue whales living in the Indian Ocean that were previously unknown to researchers. And they have their own unique song.
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Host Marco Werman hits pause on 2020 negativity and revisits some fun stories from a year we'd just as soon forget. Sourdough baking, virtual living, and Norwegian tips to get you through the cold. How people around the globe got through the year.
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After five years of negotiation, consternation and debate, the EU and the UK have finally reached a Brexit trade deal. And for the holiday season, we bring you an hour devoted to literature, music and food — like the obsessive ritual of making British Christmas pudding — along with some of our favorite stories from 2020. Also, reporters in Greece, Israel and Mexico tell us how people there celebrate the holidays during such bleak times.
We’re only 288 people away from reaching our goal of 1,000 donors! When you give $100 or more to support the show, you’ll not only receive an invite to a virtual party with Marco Werman and The World team, you’ll ALSO get to hear your name in our podcast credits! WE NEED YOU! Consider helping us reach our goal today and support independent journalism. Visit www.theworld.org/give to donate. Thank you!
With less than one month left in the White House, President Donald Trump has granted pardons to four Blackwater security guards responsible for the killing of 14 Iraqi civilians in 2007. And with thousands of truck drivers held up since Sunday at Dover port, scuffles ensued with British police when they realized they would not make it home for Christmas. And, we look at how religious rituals and spirituality can help communities build a more just, sustainable world — with a special Christmas song in Swahili.
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The discovery of new variants of the coronavirus in the UK and South Africa have prompted a wave of travel bans around the world. But it's an open question as to whether these measures are actually effective. And, there's a potential humanitarian disaster unfolding along the border between Ethiopia and Sudan as a simmering conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region has displaced tens of thousands of people. The $900 billion pandemic relief package approved Monday night has a lot in it, including one of the most significant pieces of climate change legislation that the US Congress has ever passed.
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What will the next year bring in the coronavirus pandemic? As part of our regular series of conversations about COVID-19 and as a special here in The World's podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with epidemiologist Michael Mina from Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Over 40 countries worldwide have now banned travelers from Britain over concerns about the spread of a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus. Also, this past summer, Russian dissident leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned. Over the past two weeks, a joint news investigation is shedding light on many of the missing details about this attack. The "Jurassic Park" film series is the inspiration for a planned tourist center on the Indonesian islands where the Komodo dragon lives. Officials say a park will bring in more profits but environmentalists are raising concerns the park will ruin the lizards' habitat.
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The world is readying for the largest vaccination effort in history, amid a pandemic that has killed millions. There is an effort to ensure equitable global, but several countries have already started vaccinations. And, this week the European Union’s top court ruled Hungary's asylum policies breached EU law. Also, a conversation with NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy who spent 196 days in space this year.
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The World presents a special edition focusing on the start of the Arab uprisings in 2010. The uprisings began in Tunisia, with the self-immolation of fruit seller Mohamed Bouazizi, 10 years ago on Thursday, and quickly spread to several Arab countries, leading to the fall of dictators. A decade later, we ask: What is the legacy of the Arab uprisings and how are people remembering the events?
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A landmark coroner’s ruling in London has found that 9-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah’s death in 2013 was caused by acute respiratory failure, severe asthma and air pollution exposure. And, new evidence from Chinese government documents and media reports revealed that hundreds of thousands of ethnic minority laborers in Xinjiang are being forced to pick cotton. Also, lab-grown meat will be on the menu for the first time in a restaurant this weekend in Singapore. Is this a win for the climate?
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What is the latest scientific guidance on airborne COVID-19 transmission? And how might that shape strategies around reopening schools and workplaces? As part of our regular series of conversations about the coronavirus and as a special episode in The World' podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with and Harvard's healthy buildings expert Joseph Allen.
From Canada to the UK and the US, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has crossed a major milestone in being deployed in public COVID-19 vaccine programs. But lots of other vaccine efforts are in the works around the globe, with greater and lesser success. And, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden on winning the US election. He was one of the last world leaders to acknowledge Biden's victory. Also, a 100-year-old Christmas tree could be the oldest artificial tree in the United Kingdom.
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The European Commission is gearing up to unveil a set of major proposals aimed at reigning in big online platforms and marking the first big overhaul of the European Union’s internet rules in decades. And, it's been almost four full years since the start of Brexit negotiations between the United Kingdom and EU. But, the ending of the saga remains uncertain. Also, Franco Belgian cellist Camille Thomas is performing solo at some of Paris' most striking, and currently empty, art venues during France's second COVID-19 lockdown.
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A federal judge recently ordered the Trump administration to reinstate DACA — the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program— to its original form and to start accepting new applications. But the window of time to do so might be short-lived. And, what are the implications of the newly inked deal between Israel and Morocco to normalize relations? Also, with the blessing of Sting, Benin-born musician Shirazee updated the 1988 hit “Englishman in New York” to “African in New York.”
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As coronavirus cases spike, the US and other countries are looking to measures such as COVID-19 vaccines and rapid self-testing. But steps such as mask-wearing and social distancing remain critical. As part of our regular series of conversations about the pandemic and as a special episode in The World's podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Harvard epidemiologist Megan Murray for the latest insights.
Big news in the Middle East today: Israel and Morocco have agreed to normalize relations. And in Lebanon, caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three former government ministers have been charged with negligence related to the explosion that rocked the port of Beirut in August. And, in what could be a dramatic development in global antitrust in decades, more than 40 US states and the federal government are suing to break up Facebook. Also, team archaeologists have been working to uncover an enormous stretch of paintings covering cliff faces in the Amazon in Colombia.
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Debate over the safety and effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines to be used in Brazil is becoming a political tug of war. And, more than 10 years since Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky’s death inspired the US Magnitsky Act, which sanctions human rights abuses, the EU has approved its own human rights sanctions law. Also, to fend off boredom during the latest pandemic lockdown, the Sea Life London Aquarium has been showing its gentoo penguins Christmas movies.
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If confirmed as President-elect Joe Biden’s secretary of defense, retired Gen. Lloyd Austin will be the first Black man to lead the Pentagon. And, it’s “V-Day” in Britain — “V” for vaccine — as the UK on Tuesday became the first Western nation to start vaccinating people against the coronavirus. China and Nepal have long debated the actual height of the world’s tallest mountain, which borders the two countries. But on Tuesday, they put an end to the dispute.
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Several European countries are planning to ease coronavirus lockdowns for the Christmas holidays despite the risk that lifting restrictions could cause COVID-19 cases to skyrocket. And, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s political alliance claimed a sweeping victory Monday in congressional elections boycotted by the most influential opposition politicians. Also, Kenya's Kibiwott Kandie broke the world record on Sunday for the half marathon by 29 seconds in Valencia, Spain.
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The economic fallout from COVID-19 has driven an unprecedented increase in hunger — up 82% from a year ago, to an astounding 270 million people categorized as chronically hungry around the world. And, it’s now less than four weeks before Britain’s relationship with the European Union officially ends. Businesses across both sides of the channel are worried and one unexpected casualty could be chip shops in Ireland. Also, there's a music revival going on in Poland among populist, political leaders: “Disco Polo” combines folk melodies with drum machines and synthesizers.
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In 1958, a movie about a man-eating, bloodcurdling mass from outer space introduced the world to "The Blob." But in recent years, that term has taken on a whole new meaning among foreign policy professionals in Washington. What exactly defines this Blob can be as amorphous as the movie monster, so we reached out to three people to explain who exactly belongs in this group. The term, we learned, describes a perspective that transcends party lines and has remained relatively unchallenged for decades. In this new episode of "Things That Go Boom," The World's partner podcast from PRX, host Laicie Heeley explores the moment all of that changed, and the Blob came face-to-face with ... the anti-Blob.
Guests: Ben Armbruster, managing editor of ResponsibleStatecraft.org at The Quincy Institute
Emma Ashford, senior fellow at the New American Engagement Initiative in the Scowcroft Center of the Atlantic Council
Van Jackson, professor of international relations at Victoria University of Wellington.
Several prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy advocates have been sent to jail. The crackdown has led many activists to seek exile. And, US policy toward Iran will be one of the major issues that President-elect Joe Biden will face and Iran’s nuclear program is already at the center of attention. Earlier this week, Iran’s Parliament passed a bill that would suspend UN inspections and boost uranium enrichment. Also, we remember Puerto Rican poet Miguel Algarín, the celebrated Nuyorican Poets Cafe.
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In just a few days, people in Britain will be receiving the first doses of a coronavirus vaccine. The United Kingdom on Wednesday became the first country to grant approval for the vaccine from US company Pfizer and German partner BioNTech. And, this week outgoing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attacked Turkey during a virtual meeting of NATO foreign ministers. He accused the country of provoking NATO allies in the Mediterranean and of cozying up to Russia. Also, support for Canadian actor Elliot Page poured in from around the world after he publicly came out as transgender.
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An American mother living in the heart of the ISIS caliphate. Her husband an ISIS sniper. Her 10-year-old son forced to threaten the US president in a propaganda video shown around the world. She claims she was tricked into taking her young children to war-torn Syria, but where does her account end and the truth begin?
From our partners at GBH and FRONTLINE and as a special podcast in The World's feed, journalist Josh Baker unravels a dangerous story where nothing is as it seems. From the depths of Raqqa’s infamous torture prison to an elk hunt in Idaho, he uncovers secrets, lies and the lasting consequences.
“I’m Not A Monster” — the story of one family’s journey from Indiana to ISIS and back — is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE PBS.
The pandemic has hit Mexico hard. The country ranks fourth — behind the US, Brazil and India — in confirmed deaths from COVID-19. And, one theory about the origins of the coronavirus is that it was transmitted from bats to another animal and then to people. The missing link could be the pangolin, which could be a "time bomb" for the next pandemic. Also, there’s relief among fans of the megafamous South Korean boy band BTS. The seven lads in the group could soon be allowed to postpone their mandatory military service and keep on cranking out hits.
Greece, like many parts of the world, is dealing with unprecedented COVID-19 cases. Now, a debate about the role of the Greek Orthodox Church in the pandemic has resurfaced following the COVID-19-related death of a senior clergyman and the hospitalization of the head of the church. And, the former French leader Nicolas Sarkozy's nickname was the "bling-bling president." On Monday, Sarkozy was in court to face the first of a series of trials against him. Also, human activity affects the climate in every corner of the world. New research shows that Mount Everest is no exception.
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Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed near Tehran on Friday. Fakhrizadeh was said to be Iran's most senior nuclear scientist and has been described by diplomats as the "father of the Iranian bomb." And, there was jubilation at the start of the week when the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced results from phase three trials for a vaccine for the coronavirus. But scientists have been asking questions and are worried that the drug may not be as effective as hoped. Plus, we explore the spiritual side of brewing coffee.
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This special episode of The World, called “Movement,” tells stories of global migration through music. Co-hosted by The World’s host Marco Werman and Ethiopian American singer Meklit Hadero, the show blends song and narrative in a meditation on what it means to be American. We follow an undocumented singer in San Francisco on a long-awaited trip back to Mexico, reflect on the experience of exile with a Syrian DJ, and hear a Sudanese American artist play his first ever show in Sudan — all guided by Hadero as she reflects on her own American story. “Movement,” which is also a podcast and live show, is created and produced by Hadero, along with producer Ian Coss and editor Julie Caine.
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Air travel in the US is at the highest it's been since March as Americans head home for the Thanksgiving holiday. But in other parts of the world, like Greece, strict lockdowns would prevent this kind of movement. And, in the United Kingdom, calls to "save Christmas" are making some people of other faiths feel ignored. Plus, "The Queen's Gambit" is a hit on Netflix. Meet the man behind the games depicted on the series: Russian chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov.
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As President-elect Joe Biden announces his picks for the State Department's top positions, experts are making recommendations for how the department needs to change. And, clashes between Ethiopia's federal government and rebels in the northern region of Tigray have continued for three weeks, displacing tens of thousands of people, with no end in sight. Also, the first time, the Oxford English Dictionary couldn’t pick only one word of the year.
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Grassroots organizations were key to mobilizing Latino voters across the US for the historic 2020 presidential election. As part of The World's "Every 30 Seconds" project and as a special podcast in The World's feed, senior editor Daisy Contreras moderated a live discussion exploring the role of two organizations from two important states: Arizona and Texas. What was the strategy to get Latinos to the polls? And what was their impact on the 2020 election? Contreras was joined by Reyna Montoya of Aliento, a nonprofit group supporting immigrants in Arizona, and Antonio Arellano of Jolt Action, a Latino civic engagement group in Texas.
President-elect Joe Biden is signaling a stark shift from the Trump administration’s “America First” policies with his likely selection of centrist Antony Blinken for the coveted secretary of state slot. And, Ethiopia has profited from Chinese investment, which is credited with restarting the East African nation's economy. But an internal struggle between Ethiopia's central government and the opposition party that runs the northern Tigray region poses new challenges.
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Once a vaccine for COVID-19 is approved, UNICEF is planning to do a massive airlift to get the vaccine to countries who need it, especially poorer ones. What will it take to get the vaccine distributed? And, Australia has released a scathing report that finds that members of Australian special forces unlawfully killed 39 people in Afghanistan. Also, mental health has become a growing concern in the pandemic, and researchers are gaining a deeper understanding of the magnitude around the globe. It's not good, but there are some glimmers of hope.
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The coronavirus crisis is leading to mental health and lockdown fatigue. How are people coping with ongoing needs to social distance, wear masks and stay at home? As part of our regular conversation series on the pandemic and as a special podcast in The World's feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health psychiatric epidemiologist Karestan Koenen.
Find more of The World's Coronavirus Conversations here
This conversation was presented jointly with The Forum at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
European Union countries whose economies have been battered by the coronavirus pandemic are impatiently waiting to get their hands on the recovery fund, sanctioned by the EU. But earlier this week, Hungary and Poland effectively vetoed that budget worth a total of $2.1 trillion. And, following two extremist attacks the past month in France, President Emmanuel Macron has begun pushing a new proposed law that would crack down on so-called "Islamist separatism." Also, a pet food company has released what they're billing as the first Christmas song ever produced specifically for dogs.
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US President Donald Trump has fired Chris Krebs, the head of the Cybersecurity and the Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the federal agency tasked with securing elections. Krebs and CISA had been commended for fending off threats by foreign and other actors during the 2020 election cycle. And, Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller has announced a major troop withdrawal in Afghanistan and Iraq to 2,500 in both countries. Plus, there's a new effort in Spain to recognize women painters who were peers of people like Pablo Picasso but don't get nearly the same attention.
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Peru appears to be emerging from a political crisis. The new President Francisco Sagasti — who is the third president in a week — is someone who many hope will restore some stability to the country. And, Hurricane Iota made landfall in Nicaragua on Tuesday and is expected to bring up to 30 inches of rain onto already saturated areas, creating life-threatening flash flooding. Also, a new monument in Berlin of a Korean "comfort woman" is aggravating a deep rift between Japan and South Korea, with Germany stuck in the middle.
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In the last week or so, there has been some good vaccine news. Pfizer and now Moderna have announced that their coronavirus vaccines were 90% and 94.5% effective based on preliminary results from their trials. And, as the US finds itself at a crossroads between one president and another, the United Nations happens to be conducting its regular review of where the US stands on human rights, as it does every four years with each of its member states. Also, one of the most important telescopes in the world, the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, is on the brink of collapse after two supporting cables snapped.
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The escalating conflict in Ethiopia northern Tigray region is raising concerns the country may be nearing civil war. And, China’s vision for the next century is with itself as the top power in Asia. India is not on board with that — and it’s looking for ways to counter China’s ambitions with its own vision of a more multipolar Asia and world. Also, we remember former Ghana's former President Jerry John Rawlings, who died this week.
Big news! The World is participating in NewsMatch. From now until the end of the year, every dollar of support will be generously matched by a coalition of national funders. This means a gift of $50 will provide $100 of support for The World’s critical journalism. Double your impact today!
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For many decades, the US has presented itself to the rest of the world as the gold standard when it comes to free and fair voting. So how does that square with President Donald Trump now refusing to concede after losing? And, China has four COVID-19 vaccines in phase 3 trials. But with so few coronavirus cases in the country, it’s forced to hold trials in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Brazil. Also, “Transplant,” a new Canadian TV series, offers a fresh take on medical dramas.
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Big news! The World is participating in NewsMatch. From now until the end of the year, every dollar of support will be generously matched by a coalition of national funders. This means a gift of $50 will provide $100 of support for The World’s critical journalism. Double your impact today!
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For many, 2020 has been a scary year. In an effort to get to the root of why many people feel this way, the first thing we did was something we probably should have done a long time ago — we reached out to a psychiatrist. In a new season of "Things That Go Boom," The World's partner podcast from PRX, host Laicie Heeley also asked listeners, friends and family to answer what might seem like a pretty simple question: How safe do you feel? The answers weren't simple at all.
Guests: Arash Javanbakht, psychiatry researcher; Bunmi Akinnusotu, host of What in the World?
Additional reading: Sex and Death in the Rational World of Defense Intellectuals, Carol Cohn
The politics of fear: How fear goes tribal, allowing us to be manipulated, Arash Javanbakht
When mask-wearing rules in the 1918 pandemic faced resistance, Becky Little
As the 1918 flu emerged, cover-up and denial helped it spread, Becky Little
In an unprecedented move by the Greek government, an Afghan father was arrested and faces charges of child endangerment after a dinghy carrying 25 migrants capsized in the Aegean Sea, resulting in the drowning of his son. And, international observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the US election ran smoothly and criticized US President Donald Trump for promoting baseless allegations of fraud. Also, Singles Day, a consumer shopping and sales event created by China's e-commerce giant Alibaba 11 years ago, is now celebrated as a national holiday.
Big news! The World is participating in NewsMatch. From now until the end of the year, every dollar of support will be generously matched by a coalition of national funders. This means a gift of $50 will provide $100 of support for The World’s critical journalism. Double your impact today!
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During his campaign, candidate Joe Biden said that on day one, he would submit an immigration reform bill to Congress. What challenges will Biden face in reforming US immigration policy? And, there is a growing debate taking place about a possible boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to allegations of human rights abuses. Also, wildlife photographer Paul Nicklen and his organization SeaLegacy recently teamed up with a conservation group to raise half a million dollars to buy out the hunting licenses for wolves off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, in order to protect them.
Big news! The World is participating in NewsMatch. From now until the end of the year, every dollar of support will be generously matched by a coalition of national funders. This means a gift of $50 will provide $100 of support for The World’s critical journalism. Double your impact today!
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US President Donald Trump fired the head of the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, on Monday, after Trump questioned his loyalty to the administration. And, the last four years of the Trump presidency have tested America's traditional alliances in Europe and forged other unconventional ones. Now, with President-elect Joe Biden poised to take office in January, European leaders are looking ahead. Also, The World remembers TV icon, Alex Trebek.
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Although the results of the US presidential election are not official yet, all indicators point to a victory for Democratic candidate Joe Biden. But the transfer of presidential power looks like it will be difficult. And, with coronavirus infections surging at record levels in the US and Europe, many nations are imposing new restrictions. Reporter Elana Gordon looks at the pros and cons of the different lockdown approaches. Also, if you’re in the United States, have you received your "emotional support Canadian"? According to a viral tweet, don’t worry, one will be assigned to you shortly.
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The election this week saw a continuation of a national trend that began in the 2018 midterms — an unprecedented wave of first- and second-generation Americans running for office. And, for decades, the United States has taken the lead on efforts to contain outbreaks around the globe, from polio to influenza. Now, amid the pandemic, the US election illuminates, even more, a nation divided on science and public health. Also, the earworm “Baby Shark” was posted to YouTube five years ago by the South Korean educational company Pinkfong. This week, it became the most-watched YouTube video ever.
Big news! The World is participating in NewsMatch. From now until the end of the year, every dollar of support will be generously matched by a coalition of national funders. This means a gift of $50 will provide $100 of support for The World’s critical journalism. Double your impact today!
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Foreign interference was a key concern going into Election Day. So, what happened on the cybersecurity and disinformation front, and what can we expect next? And, Britain is keeping a close eye on the results of the US election, as their own country faces a new lockdown after midnight Wednesday evening. Also, in this limbo period, when we wait to hear who won and which way the US goes next in the world, Iran and Afghanistan are two places that play big into American foreign policy. Like the rest of us, they're also waiting for the news.
Big news: The World is participating in NewsMatch! From now until the end of the year, every dollar of support will be generously matched by a coalition of national funders. This means a gift of $50 will provide $100 of support for The World’s critical journalism. Double your impact today!
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With so much uncertainty hanging over the US presidential election, one place we look for clarity is in the numbers. Pollsters learned valuable lessons from the 2016 election results that they’ve applied in the current election cycle to try to yield more accurate predictions. From our GBH and PRX partners, NOVA Now, and as a special in The World's podcast feed, host Alok Patel interviews a pollster and a statistician. They delve into a brief history of political polling in the US, what went wrong in 2016, and how statistical concepts like data weighting and margin of error make all the difference in the accuracy of the polls.
Subscribe, and learn more by visiting pbs.org/novanowpodcast
Arizona used to be firmly Republican, but now it's a battleground state as its politics and demographics have changed. And, voters heading to the polls may be feeling anxious, with all the talk of possible violence. But with the rise of hate crimes during the Trump administration, there are many Americans who have been feeling that way for the last four years. Also, the US will officially be out of the Paris climate agreement on Nov. 4. How long it remains out will depend on who wins the election.
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For decades Israel has enjoyed a unique relationship with the US in defense and security cooperation. Under the Trump administration, many Israelis feel that relationship has been fruitful. Would the relationship look any different under a potential Biden administration? And, on US Election Day, our social media news feeds will likely be filled with stories about how foreign actors have worked to derail the US election process. So how can we assess these claims? Also, former US security contractor Edward Snowden is seeking Russian citizenship for himself, his wife and their unborn baby, who is due in December.
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This year, perhaps more than any other, the world is watching the US presidential election. Whatever the outcome, there will be global implications. On the eve of Election Day, we brought together our correspondents to explore key foreign policy issues in their regions of expertise. In this special edition for The World's podcast feed, senior editor Daisy Contreras moderated a live discussion with Middle East correspondent Shirin Jaafari and Latin America correspondent Jorge Valencia offering context and analysis on foreign policy issues at stake in the 2020 election.
Watch a video of the conversation here.
Related discussion: Voters of color in the 2020 US election
Today The World brings you a special episode on the political power of Latino youth, one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the United States. Approximately every 30 seconds, a Latino in the US turns 18 and becomes eligible to vote. The World has been talking to Latino voters all year. In this episode, hear how Trump has alienated many Latinos with his anti-immigrant rhetoric — but a sizable bloc still supports him. And, Latinos have been disproportionately affected by climate change. Plus, hear how three young Latinos are getting ready to vote.
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A series of knife attacks on French citizens at the Notre Dame Basilica in the Mediterranean city of Nice on Thursday prompted the government to raise its security alert status to the maximum level. And, much of the chocolate that trick-or-treaters eat this weekend will have come from cocoa farms in West Africa that use child labor. Also, Japan's prime minister this week announced a goal of making the country carbon-neutral by 2050.
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The World's reporters have been covering immigrant communities and communities of color this election season, and they compared notes during a recent live discussion on Facebook. Reporters Daisy Contreras, Rupa Shenoy and Halima Gikandi hosted the conversation on voters of color and the 2020 election — covering politics, diversity and the issues that mobilize them. We wanted to share that discussion here in The World's podcast feed.
Watch the video of the conversation here.
Canada is seeing rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, which some public health experts believe can be traced back to family celebrations of Canadian Thanksgiving on Oct. 12. And, despite mounting public pressure, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused to offer free school meals for children in England during the Christmas holiday break. Also, Polish writer and illustrator Martyna Wiśniewska Michalak has given the classic book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar," a hilarious makeover for the COVID-19 era.
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For five days straight, thousands have taken to the streets of cities across Poland to protest a court ruling on abortion. The country’s Constitutional Tribunal last week outlawed abortion in all but the most exceptional of circumstances. And, Germany has been pretty successful containing the coronavirus and also getting students back into classrooms. But in southern Germany, two counties are going into lockdown because cases there are spiking again. Also, Sacha Baron Cohen's iconic character Borat has been at the center of many controversial moments. Now with a new "Borat" film out, Kazakhstan has embraced the fictitious Kazakh journalist’s catchphrase: “Very nice” and turned it into the country’s tourism slogan.
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Sudan is set to start normalizing relations with Israel. The move comes as the US removes Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. And, China's Belt and Road Initiative is transforming countries across the globe with new infrastructure, mining and factories. But physical investments are only part of the story: China is making a digital power play, too. Also, despite the ongoing unrest in Mali and a pandemic, Timbuktu-based music group Songhoy Blues is optimistic.
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The last presidential debate on Thursday focused extensively on foreign policy topics. The World's foreign correspondents share global reactions and what they're seeing abroad in the leadup to the Nov. 3 US election. And, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on Friday. It's the latest attempt to find a solution to nearly a month of fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh. Also, when is a burger not a burger? That was a question facing the European Parliament on Friday in a discussion about whether plant-based alternatives can use names typically associated with meat.
Many health officials around the world are working to contain second waves of the coronavirus. Join us as we examine what's driving the latest wave of surges around the world, as part of our regular series discussing the pandemic presented jointly with The Forum at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — and as a special podcast in The World's feed. Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Yonatan Grad, from Harvard's department of immunology and infectious diseases.
Watch and listen to more of The World's Coronavirus Conversations here.
The US Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe and FBI Director Christopher Wray announced Wednesday that Iran is behind a campaign of sending threatening, faked emails to voters in the US ahead of the 2020 presidential election. And, in the wake of the pandemic, the International Monetary Fund has doled out billions of dollars to keep countries afloat, with few restrictions. But now those countries say the IMF wants them to impose austerity measures. Also, a doctor in northeastern India dances for COVID-19 patients to make them feel happy — and a video of his moves has gone viral.
Support The World during our fall fundraiser! Nonprofit journalism depends on your philanthropic support. Be one of the 1,000 people to donate $100 or pledge $8.33 a month to receive a special invitation to a virtual party with Marco Werman and the team at The World! Thank you for your support. Visit theworld.org/give to donate today!
The gruesome murder of a history teacher in France has sparked intense criticism of social media companies over the role they played in motivating the killer and inciting the murder. And, according to a new study by the University of Cambridge, millennials around the world are currently less satisfied with democracy and more disillusioned than at any other time in the past century. Also, one of the biggest issues facing some European cities was overtourism before the coronavirus. So, how are the cities coping now that the tourists are staying at home?
The UK government announced today that it is funding the first stage of a human challenge trial for a coronavirus vaccine. And, an international mystery that seems to be ripped from a Cold War spy novel: US diplomats coming down with mysterious brain ailments while posted overseas. But in 2018, this was a reality for dozens of diplomats and spies posted at the US embassy in Cuba. Also, as the coronavirus continues to spread around the world, travel is basically a no-go. But people are desperate to be transported beyond the four walls of their home or office — which is where wildlife photography can come in handy.
French police on Monday conducted raids of Islamic associations and individuals suspected of extremist religious beliefs after the beheading of a history teacher near Paris. The teacher was fatally attacked in the street after having shown his class caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in a discussion on free speech. And, violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan is now heading into its third week, even after multiple attempts at a ceasefire. Also, more than 50 people have died in Turkey over the past week after drinking bootleg alcohol.
There's a fringe proposal to counter the pandemic gaining some traction: Just let the virus spread and let a population build up "natural herd immunity." But this week, leading public health experts from around the globe pushed back, warning that the idea is extremely dangerous. And, former defense minister of Mexico, retired Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, has been arrested in Los Angeles in connection with drug-related corruption. Plus, New Zealanders head to the polls.
France will impose a nightly curfew starting on Saturday on almost 20 million of the country's 67 million people, in an attempt to curb a resurgence of the coronavirus. And, Norway's foreign minister said that Russia hacked into their country's parliamentary email system in August. Also, as Nov. 3 approaches, calls by President Donald Trump to declare a winner on election night have raised fears among the biggest, oldest group of mail-in voters: members of the military.
Health authorities in Europe and around the world are facing new surges of the coronavirus. As fall temperatures drop and more of us stay inside longer, where do we stand on testing, diagnostics and a vaccine amid a growing sense of pandemic fatigue? As part of our regular series of conversations, The World's Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Harvard University epidemiologist William Hanage.
Watch and listen to more of The World's Coronavirus Conversations here.
Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes after the Taliban began an intense battle to take over the city of Lashkargah in southern Afghanistan. The fighting comes at a time when the Trump administration is negotiating a peace agreement with the militant group to withdraw US troops. And, China, Russia and Cuba all won seats on the UN Human Rights Council, provoking alarm with rights advocates given their highly dubious records. Also, music teachers in Canada are being forced to improvise amid the pandemic. Choir classes either must meet outdoors to rehearse or they simply hum and chant their way through class.
America’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says the globe isn’t doing as well as he’d hoped in fighting the pandemic, and he worries about the politicization of public health. And, in Qingdao, a small outbreak of the coronavirus has prompted a plan to test all 9 million residents of the Chinese port city. Also, US intelligence officials have historically been nonpartisan, at least in public. But former CIA Director John Brennan has torn up that playbook.
Mexico City’s government removed a statue of Christopher Columbus from the city’s Paseo de la Reforma in the early hours of Saturday ahead of a planned annual protest. And, the United Kingdom is just one of a series of countries in Europe to impose new localized restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Plus, tennis star Rafael Nadal again made history on Sunday winning his 13th French Open and 20th career Grand Slam.
The World Food Program, the United Nations' food-assistance branch, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for its work addressing hunger, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, and for creating a foundation for peace in nations ravaged by war. We take a look at past winners of the prize, too. And, hundreds of coronavirus vaccines are in the works worldwide. But if and when an effective vaccine becomes available, will people take it? And, scientists are tracking turtle egg poachers with GPS and decoys — it's James Bond meets wildlife conservation.
Around the globe, communities are bracing for new surges in COVID-19, from Spain to Israel. But a country's actions can make all the difference in what happens next, and whether a surge takes hold. And, in Wednesday’s debate, Vice President Mike Pence argued the Trump administration can claim credit for vanquishing ISIS. But many analysts say Trump carried forward President Barack Obama’s plan to counter the militant group, and then squandered the inheritance. Also, a team of Italian researchers has uncovered intact brain cells in a victim of the Mount Vesuvius explosion that killed 2,000 people in 79 AD.
In the first case of its kind, two ISIS militants, formally British citizens, have been charged in a US court for their involvement in the beheading of American and British journalists and aid workers in Syria. And, a court in Greece has ruled that the far-right Golden Dawn party was operating as a criminal organization, delivering landmark guilty verdicts. Also, the EU Parliament has agreed to set a target of cutting carbon emissions by 60% by 2030. It's an ambitious goal but still needs approval by the 27 EU member nations.
President Donald Trump’s top military advisers, including the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, have gone into quarantine. And, the wives and widows of ISIS fighters have turned to crowdfunding to raise money to buy their escape from detention camps in northern Syria. Also, the frontman of the Colombian trio Bomba Estéreo has been at work on a new solo project — “Monte.” It's an exploration of birdsong, nature and electronic music.
China, Russia and other actors that don’t have America’s best interest in mind may seek to take advantage of the US in this precarious moment, as President Donald Trump has been sidelined by the coronavirus. And, nothing about the president’s coronavirus infection is normal — from the combination of experimental treatments he is receiving all at once to the way the outbreak is unfolding in his inner circle. Plus, Venice finally managed to stay dry after all 78 floodgates successfully barricaded the Venetian lagoon during high tide.
Since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, doctors have learned a lot more about the disease. That might be good news for President Donald Trump. And, the British fashion label Fred Perry announced last week that it stopped selling their black and yellow polo shirt in Canada and the US. The shirt has become part of the de facto uniform of the Proud Boys, a white supremacist group. Also, the Great North Air Ambulance Service in northern England is considering a new transport device for its medics: Jet suits.
Falsehoods involving the pandemic are ricocheting around the globe with alarming speed. A new study from Cornell University finds President Donald Trump is the biggest offender of spreading misinformation. And, in the last decade, Danish energy company Ørsted did what few other energy utilities in the world have been able to do: They went from being almost entirely reliant on oil, gas and coal, to being the biggest producer of offshore wind in the world. Also, Ireland's Supreme Court has ruled that the bread used by the fast-food chain Subway contains too much sugar to legally qualify as bread.
Viewers across the globe tuned into the 2020 presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden Tuesday night and witnessed an often chaotic and unruly spectacle. And, members of the US House Intelligence Committee are increasingly worried that China is shaping geopolitics and global technology, while the US intelligence community lacks the resources or the mindset to challenge Beijing. Also, around the world, the coronavirus is causing spaces to be reused in new ways. In Salford, England, The Lowry performance theater has been converted by the Ministry of Justice to help tackle a backlog of nearly 50,000 legal cases.
It’s been hard to keep up with the devastating human toll of the coronavirus pandemic. This week, we passed yet another grim milestone — 1 million deaths worldwide. And, how who wins the White House in November could impact people and policies across the world. China will almost certainly come up in tonight's first presidential debate and many Chinese are paying close attention. Also, heading to college this fall was never going to be straightforward. But in Manchester, England, over 1,700 college students have found themselves locked into their residence halls because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
US President Donald Trump owes hundreds of millions of dollars to a foreign bank, The New York Times reports, and he regularly pays taxes to several foreign governments — while paying little to no tax to the US government. His foreign financial entanglements might pose issues for US national security. And, Southeast Asian nations seeing large investments from China. But opening the door to investment from China also comes with risks. Plus, two years ago, scientists were shocked to find a large, watery lake beneath the icy south pole on Mars. Now, the same scientists are getting clearer answers on the potential for life on the Red Planet.
This past week, President Donald Trump declined to commit to a peaceful transfer of power — the foundation of democracy in the US — in the aftermath of the November election. And, Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement, will be different in Israel this year. As COVID-19 cases continue to spike, the Israeli government imposed further restrictions on its people already in a nationwide lockdown. Plus, Britain’s Royal Festival Hall reopens with a new season inspired by this past summer’s Black Lives Matters protests.
With fall underway, millions of students and teachers in the US are adjusting to the new normal of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. For college students, living on campus has also brought new challenges.
School communities are divided by questions of how safe is “safe enough,” and administrators are struggling to balance the benefits of in-person instruction with the risks of the coronavirus — as state and federal guidance changes rapidly.
At the same time, many American workers continue to face uncertainty and concerns about returning to their physical workplaces — or remaining in them.
As part of our regular series of conversations on the pandemic, The World's global health reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
This conversation is presented jointly with The Forum at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Find more of The World's Coronavirus Conversation series here.
Thursday's announcement that the police officers involved in the March killing of Breonna Taylor would not face homicide charges is yet another low for activists and supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement around the world. And, protesters in Belarus have been in the streets since early August calling for the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko. The World's host Marco Werman speaks with Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. Plus, 94-year-old veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough is now on Instagram, gaining a million followers in a matter of hours. His goal is to spread the word about environmental destruction and to share ideas on how to save the planet.
After nearly 20 years of violence and war, representatives from the Afghan government are meeting with Taliban officials, including two women who are sitting across the table from the Taliban. And, it's getting colder in Boston and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere. That means more time indoors. What are the additional steps people can take to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus inside? Plus, has President Donald Trump's popularity with Europe's far-right made an impact on the populist movement there? And, China has just announced an aggressive new climate target: carbon neutrality within 40 years.
The UN General Assembly is holding its 75th meeting this week in New York — mostly virtually. US President Donald Trump used his address on Wednesday to blame China for the spread of the coronavirus while defending his own response to the pandemic. And the 2020 presidential election will dictate whether the US remains out of the Paris climate agreement for another four years, or reenters it this coming winter. Plus, Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny performed live in New York City on Sunday night, standing on top of a flatbed truck while rolling through city streets.
In the early 1960s, long before she was a Supreme Court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg traveled to Sweden to research a book project with legal scholar Anders Bruzelius. Her time there shaped her views on equality and the law. Also, surgeon and author Dr. Atul Gawande says nations such as South Korea have implemented successful COVID-19 testing and safety procedures that the US could easily emulate. And, in a stunning climax to the Tour de France, a 22-year-old cyclist beat his older countryman and became the first Slovenian to win cycling's most prestigious race.
An effort is underway to relocate the approximately 12,000 migrants and refugees who have been camping in the streets of Lesbos into a new camp. And, 29 German police officers have been suspended for sharing pictures of Adolf Hitler and depictions of refugees in gas chambers on their phones. Also, an appreciation of the blues connection between Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré and Jimi Hendrix, who died of a drug overdose 50 years ago today in London.
From The World and PRX, this is The Number in the News. Today’s number: 3.
Watching a movie at home these days doesn't come with quite the same potpourri of aromas you'd get from going out to a movie theater, such as popcorn butter, recirculated air and the wrinkly hot dogs at the concession stand. A London candle shop called Earl of East wants to bring these aromas back into your life. They've created a new line of three candles called “Scents of Normality.”
The Number in the News is a daily flash briefing for your smart speaker that we’re featuring as a special here in The World’s podcast feed. Listen to the Number in the News every morning to hear a shareable story in just two minutes. It’s one number you won’t forget, plus why it’s in the news today. Click here to add The Number in the News to your smart speaker News Briefing on an Amazon or Google smart speaker. Produced by The World’s Bianca Hillier.
Spain’s capital, Madrid, is experiencing one of Europe’s worst, second-wave outbreaks of the coronavirus. And, officials across the world are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the US presidential race — and that may be especially true for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Also, Wednesday marked 400 years since the Mayflower ship originally set sail for what would later become the United States. To commemorate the event, the US and UK launched a new autonomous, solar-powered vessel that will take part in a research mission on climate change, pollution and conservation.
Japan's Parliament elected Yoshihide Suga as prime minister Wednesday, replacing long-serving leader Shinzō Abe with his right-hand man. And, 14 people were killed in Colombia last week amid clashes between protesters and the police. The deaths were consistent with a tradition of police abuse in the country. Also, the government of Barbados has announced that it will remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state and become a republic by next year.
Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed a historic agreement to normalize ties on Tuesday, breaking a long-standing regional taboo and indicating a larger realignment of Middle East nations. Also, a new survey shows that America’s reputation has declined further over the past year among many key allies and partners. And, during the pandemic, socializing outside with friends and family has been a valuable coping mechanism. But as the weather cools in many parts of the US, it may be time for Americans to embrace the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv.
The Greek government is working to resettle thousands of asylum-seekers displaced after a fire destroyed the Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesbos. The fire was allegedly set by camp residents angry at coronavirus quarantine orders. And, China's Belt and Road initiative promises economic development to countries across the globe. But those deals aren't necessarily win-win — as is evident by the view from Kazakhstan. Also, musicians took to rooftops for a socially distant performance in Dresden, Germany.
A whistleblower this week said Department of Homeland Security officials have purposely downplayed certain threats in their briefs to President Donald Trump. Nineteen years ago today, dysfunction at US intelligence agencies stymied efforts to prevent the deadliest attack on American soil in history. Host Marco Werman speaks with a national security expert. And, thousands of migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos are without shelter, after the refugee camp where they were staying burned down. Plus, the British soap opera "EastEnders" includes a storyline about a young woman with an abusive husband, whose abuse escalates during the coronavirus.
The underwater trenches funneling warm water to Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica are deeper than once thought, according to recently published research. And, violent protests have erupted in Colombia after two police officers in Bogotá were recorded brutally assaulting and tasing a man who later died. Also, Confucius Institutes have long been criticized for allowing the Chinese government a foothold on American campuses to suppress speech criticizing China. Now US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has suddenly escalated tensions, declaring they will all close by the end of the year.
An overnight fire has destroyed the largest refugee camp in Greece — and Europe — displacing more than 12,000 people. And, South African track star Caster Semenya has lost her appeal over a 2018 ruling that would require female athletes with high testosterone levels to medically lower them before competing. Also, a study found that a robot capable of holding basic conversations reduced loneliness and improved mental health for residents at elder care homes in Japan and the UK.
A hair advertisement depicting Black women's hair as "dully" and "damaged" has caused an uproar in South Africa. And, a new study finds that people in France who refuse to wear masks are more likely to be older, educated women. Also, summer is almost over, kids are heading back to school, and in Europe, politicians are back at the Brexit negotiating table.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was back in court in London today as his fight against an extradition request to the US continues. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's pick to lead a Latin American development bank has proven controversial. And Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevicius has been outspoken against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko — while supporting Belarusian protesters. And, China's “Belt and Road” initiative uses land and sea routes to connect China with Europe and beyond. It could have profound implications on global trade.
How close are we to a vaccine for COVID-19, and what might a vaccine rollout look like in various countries? The task of distributing it to populations around the world could be daunting. Also, in Sofia, Bulgaria demonstrations have been taking place every night for nearly two months now. Protesters want their prime minister and his government to resign. And, it's been a summer of wildfires across the Arctic, of all places.
Clinical trials in the global sprint to find a coronavirus vaccine have ramped up in the US, the United Kingdom, China, Australia and beyond. But once there is a vaccine, who gets it? That’s a critical question on the world stage amid a pandemic that knows no borders. Also, the US is hitting top officials at the International Criminal Court in the Hague with sanctions, as prosecutors there investigate alleged war crimes by American troops in Afghanistan. Plus, a social media campaign has taken off in Iran that's aimed at the problem of sexual assault and harassment. It's putting pressure on Iranian authorities to take the issue more seriously. And, a textile company in Ghana is producing vibrant patterns with pandemic motifs.
The German government says that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned by Novichock — a Soviet-era nerve agent. Plus, a textile company in Ghana produces vibrant patterns with pandemic motifs. And, it's the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II today. We hear a story about service dogs who worked with Allied forces during the war.
Six months into living through a declared pandemic, where does the world stand? Also, hear from some of The World’s international correspondents about what it’s like to travel abroad during a pandemic. The 2020 census gives Latino communities a pathway to political power. And, a man codes an online bilingual baby name finder.
Direct Israel-UAE flight makes historic first. Plus, the US and four English-speaking allies have shared intelligence for decades through an alliance called the "Five Eyes." Now Japan is lobbying to join in. And, a new report from international crime fighters Interpol has found that illegal plastic dumping has sharply increased in the last two years.
How white supremacy impacts US national security. Plus, Mexico takes an unusual approach to education this fall: school by television. And, a new generation of museum curators have turned into activists.
Authorities have arrested a 17-year-old self-proclaimed militia member and charged him with homicide after two people were killed and another seriously wounded by gunfire amid demonstrations in Kenosha, Wisconsin, over the police shooting of Jacob Blake. And, the typhoon in North Korea, wildfires in the US and once-in-a-generation flooding in China all have a thread: climate change. Also, The University of Texas at San Antonio is home to a collection of more than 2,000 historic Mexican recipe books. During lockdowns amid the coronavirus, they are releasing collections of these recipes online as free e-books so that cooks can enjoy them at home.
For more than two weeks now, Belarusian citizens have been in the streets calling for President Alexander Lukashenko to step down. Different symbols have popped up as the protests have turned into a movement but the most important symbol has been the traditional red and white Belarusian flag. And, a new paper shows that some 60% of Antarctica's ice shelves are vulnerable to hydrofracture, or meltwater forcing its way into cracks in the ice and breaking them apart. Also, playing music in pubs and restaurants has been banned in Scotland, where authorities worry people shouting to be heard could help spread the coronavirus. Restaurateurs are fighting the idea, saying it's destroying ambiance.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo continued his tour of the Middle East and North Africa, arriving in Sudan on Tuesday to discuss "deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship” and the potential removal of Sudan from the US State Department’s State Sponsors of Terrorism list. And, 20 years ago, the US resettled thousands of the persecuted Somali Bantu minority group. Now, many are being deported back to Somalia, where they face torture, extortion and discrimination. Also, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in Mumbai held a virtual convocation on Sunday where each student had an animated avatar they could watch "receiving" their degree on stage through an app.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of blood plasma in treating COVID-19 patients. The plasma therapy joins just a handful of experimental treatments that have gotten such approval. And, Brazil has one of the highest rates of the coronavirus in the world with the Indigenous population hit especially hard. Also, a cat named Mittens has become a celebrity in New Zealand's capital city of Wellington. Now, the cat is in the running to win the prestigious New Zealander of the Year award.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been in a coma since Thursday, the result of a suspected poisoning. After previously blocking his transfer, Russian doctors are now allowing Navalny to be transported to a medical facility in Germany at the request of his family. And, ever since the controversial election in Belarus which incumbent Alexander Lukashenko claims he won, thousands of peaceful protesters and bystanders have been detained. Also, K-pop band BTS have released a new single called "Dynamite." It’s their first track entirely in English.
It's been almost two weeks since the controversial presidential election in Belarus that led to the reelection of the incumbent, Alexander Lukashenko. Since then thousands of protesters have come out to the streets and Belarusian authorities have responded with a heavy hand. And, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, was hospitalized on Thursday after a suspected poisoning. Also, climate migration is often associated with crisis and catastrophe, but Sonia Shah, author of "The Next Great Migration," wants us to think differently about migration.
Why did the US Navy reinstate celestial navigation as part of its curriculum a few years ago? Well, you can’t hack a sextant. In the seventh episode of the third season of "Things That Go Boom," our partner podcast from PRX, host Laicie Heeley looks at some of the vulnerabilities that come with an overreliance on high-tech defense systems. Guests Peter Singer and August Cole are national security experts who have taken to writing futuristic techno-thrillers to sound a few alarms. Among their warnings: The opening battles of World War III won’t happen on a battlefield, and they will probably be silent.
Guests: Peter Singer, strategist and senior fellow at New America
August Cole, non-resident senior fellow at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council
Additional reading: Burn-In, Forbes.
Ghost Fleet, The Diplomat.
China Uses AI To Enhance Totalitarian Control, The Atlantic.
The risks of extreme heat are often overlooked. The newly formed Extreme Heat Resilience Alliance wants to develop a system for naming heat waves, like we name hurricanes, to bring more attention to the "silent killer." And, the US Senate Intelligence Committee’s final report on Russian interference in the 2016 election offers important lessons for what to watch out for in 2020 balloting. Also, two local soccer teams in Germany played a game on Sunday completely naked to promote authenticity and denounce the commercialization of soccer.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon delivered its verdict in the trial over the 2005 bombing that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Also, Germany has been the poster child in Western Europe in terms of how it handled the coronavirus pandemic. Protesters have been taking to the streets in German cities each weekend in opposition to government restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Will the demonstrators upset Germany's good record in dealing with the pandemic? A tiny mammal called the elephant shrew, or Somali sengi, which had not been documented by scientists for 50 years, has been rediscovered in Djibouti.
From The World and PRX, this is The Number in the News. Today’s number: 20,000.
Life under lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus can be stressful. The destruction and uncertainty from the pandemic seen across the globe this year has left many people feeling scared and frustrated. Perhaps a good, long scream would help? People in Iceland think it's worth a shot. Some 20,000 people have sent in their recorded screams to be played aloud in an Icelandic landscape.
The Number in the News is a daily flash briefing for your smart speaker that we’re featuring as a special here in The World’s podcast feed. Listen to the Number in the News every morning to hear a shareable story in just two minutes. It’s one number you won’t forget, plus why it’s in the news today. Click here to add The Number in the News to your smart speaker News Briefing on an Amazon or Google smart speaker. Produced by The World’s Bianca Hillier.
Some of the first studies on COVID-19 immunity are coming out. Immunologist Marion Pepper explains what is known about immunity and what scientists still don't understand. And, getting school exam results this year during the coronavirus pandemic was never going to be straightforward. Teenagers in Britain and across Europe are discovering it's complicated, and they're not happy. And, protesters in Belarus want change, and they've turned to Soviet-era rock band Kino for a protest anthem.
This week's federal election in Belarus reinstated the country's incumbent leader Alexander Lukashenko in a landslide, but it's widely believed the election was rigged, and mass protests and violent government crackdowns have followed. And, as many Indian Americans express excitement at the first major party ticket with an Indian background, some are saying Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ticket could do better on its position toward India. Also, the US Census Bureau confronted a logistical nightmare before the pandemic. And now that it’s ending its count one month early, the likelihood of undercounting of groups including Black, Latino, Asian and Indigenous populations has grown exponentially.
What impact has the coronavirus pandemic had on places of armed conflict or refugee settlements that are already fragile due to violence and deprivation? As part of our regular series discussing the pandemic and as a special podcast in The World's feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Jocelyn Kelly, director of the program on gender, rights and resilience at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative.
Watch and listen to more of The World's Coronavirus Conversations here.
Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced Thursday that they will normalize diplomatic ties. Under the agreement, Israel has agreed to suspend its planned annexation of areas of the West Bank. And, as the coronavirus ravages the US, there are very few countries allowing Americans to cross their borders. But if you’re in the military, the US has bases in more than 70 countries — and they’re continuing to come and go. Also, history is full of examples of architecture changing in response to pandemics. But in Florence, Italy, the coronavirus has prompted the reemergence of "wine windows."
People in the Belarusian capital Minsk and across the country are protesting the election of Alexander Lukashenko. Protesters say the election was rigged and leaders across the EU and the US are raising some of the same concerns. And, Kamala Harris’ father is an immigrant from Jamaica. Jamaicans have been following her career closely and many are now rejoicing her appearance on US presidential hopeful Joe Biden's ticket. Also, if the US can’t build better airports or trains than China, or even manage the coronavirus, how exactly is it supposed to compete with China's economic power?
Russia has granted regulatory approval to a vaccine for the coronavirus without thoroughly testing it. And, two days after Belarusians went to the polls in a highly contested election, the main opposition candidate was forced to flee to Lithuania and protesters have taken to the streets. Also, an estimated 32 million Latinos will be eligible to vote in this year's elections. But many may not feel like they belong in this political process.
Thousands of angry protesters have taken to the streets of Beirut demanding the ousting of Lebanon’s political elite, leading to the resignations of several ministers on Monday. And, America’s focus on preparation for future wars comes with a cost and has left the US ill-prepared for the global coronavirus crisis. Also, the pandemic is hitting Brazil's poor and unemployed population particularly hard — leading to soaring numbers of evictions. Now, housing advocates are starting to push back.
CATEGORIES:
Beirut, Lebanon, Belarus, coronavirus, COVID-19, eviction, Laicie Heeley, military