Will Guantanamo ever close?
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...
49m Dec 09, 2021
49m
Brits brace for new omicron-related restrictions
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 advoc...
49m Dec 08, 2021
49m
Biden and Putin hold high-stakes security meeting
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 ...
49m Dec 07, 2021
49m
US imposes diplomatic boycott on Beijing Olympics
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 lowere...
49m Dec 06, 2021
49m
Coronavirus Conversations: The challenges of vaccinating people in conflict zones
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 <a href...
1hr 15m Dec 06, 2021
1hr 15m
Coronavirus Conversations: Children's mental health during COVID
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 ...
48m Dec 06, 2021
48m
How far will the US go in its relationship with Vietnam’s military?
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 ...
50m Dec 03, 2021
50m
US boosts access to at-home COVID testing
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 ...
48m Dec 02, 2021
48m
Omicron emerges amid historic pandemic treaty agreement
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 involv...
48m Dec 01, 2021
48m
Germany grapples with vaccine hesitancy
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 rancher...
48m Nov 30, 2021
48m
Omicron variant sparks new travel ban debate
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 Le...
47m Nov 29, 2021
47m
WHO says newest COVID variant has many mutations
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...
50m Nov 26, 2021
50m
Happy Thanksgiving from The World
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...
51m Nov 25, 2021
51m
Fauci on gathering safely for Thanksgiving amid COVID surge
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 th...
50m Nov 24, 2021
50m
Advocates seek better alternatives to immigration detention
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, insp...
58m Nov 23, 2021
58m
Lebanon faces critical electricity shortage
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, A...
49m Nov 22, 2021
49m
IOC announces plans for trans and intersex inclusion in sport
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 Mexica...
48m Nov 19, 2021
48m
North America leaders’ summit convenes
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, c...
49m Nov 18, 2021
49m
New Delhi struggles with smothering smog
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’...
49m Nov 17, 2021
49m
Poland-Belarus border tensions escalate
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 uncovere...
49m Nov 16, 2021
49m
COP26: Gaps between ambition and action
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 hosp...
52m Nov 15, 2021
52m
COP26: What’s next?
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. Thi...
49m Nov 12, 2021
49m
EU countries consider border walls to deter migrants
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 negotiat...
50m Nov 11, 2021
50m
Who pays for damages due to climate change?
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...
50m Nov 10, 2021
50m
Migrant crisis continues on Belarus-Poland border
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 Ze...
49m Nov 09, 2021
49m
EU climate chief calls for reaching headline Paris agreement goal
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 ...
49m Nov 08, 2021
49m
Chinese tennis star silenced after #MeToo accusations
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...
50m Nov 05, 2021
50m
US diplomat and hostage negotiator heads to Myanmar
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 fo...
50m Nov 04, 2021
50m
Haitians deported from US focus again on migration
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 pr...
50m Nov 03, 2021
50m
France and UK's fish dispute
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...
49m Nov 02, 2021
49m
At COP26, world leaders warn of a climate catastrophe
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 ...
50m Nov 01, 2021
50m
UN climate summit kicks off in Glasgow
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 ...
48m Oct 29, 2021
48m
Africa GDP predicted to dip due to climate change
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 mili...
47m Oct 28, 2021
47m
Haiti fuel shortage intensifies
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 rul...
48m Oct 27, 2021
48m
Protesters defy military coup in Sudan
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, ...
49m Oct 26, 2021
49m
Sudan’s military takes power in coup
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...
48m Oct 25, 2021
48m
 Israeli prime minister takes his first trip to Russia
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 cultur...
51m Oct 22, 2021
51m
Controversial TV pundit shakes up French politics
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 Mexic...
49m Oct 21, 2021
49m
Bolsonaro accused of crimes against humanity for COVID negligence
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 ...
48m Oct 20, 2021
48m
US envoy to Afghanistan resigns 
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 ...
49m Oct 19, 2021
49m
American missionaries held hostage in Haiti 
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 ...
48m Oct 18, 2021
48m
British MP murdered while meeting with constituents
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 ...
48m Oct 15, 2021
48m
Violence in Beirut over blast investigation
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 killin...
50m Oct 14, 2021
50m
US-Mexico border will reopen
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, e...
49m Oct 13, 2021
49m
UN biodiversity summit kicks off in China
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...
48m Oct 12, 2021
48m
Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
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 rul...
51m Oct 11, 2021
51m
Nobel Peace Prize shines a light on freedom of expression
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 ...
49m Oct 08, 2021
49m
Abdulrazak Gurnah wins 2021 Nobel Prize for literature 
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 c...
58m Oct 07, 2021
58m
 ‘Historic’ malaria vaccine proven safe for kids 
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 exper...
49m Oct 06, 2021
49m
French victims of childhood sex abuse in Catholic Church speak out
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 work...
49m Oct 05, 2021
49m