The World: Latest Stories

Author Tim Queeney has a new book out, "Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization," that delves into the ways rope has been used - for good and ill - through human history. He tells Host Carolyn Beeler that this global story is both magnificent and very dark.

US President Donald Trump said today that he'll give Hamas "about three or four days" to respond to his ceasefire proposal for Gaza. "It's going to be a very sad end," Trump said, if the Palestinian militant group rejects the deal. It was announced yesterday at the White House during a joint appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Governments across the Middle East say all parties should agree to the Trump plan. But it's hard to find much enthusiasm among Israelis and Palestinians for the sort of broader "Middle East peace" that Trump is talking about. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

The United Nations mission in Kabul is urging the Taliban to reverse its shutdown of the internet and other telecommunications across the country. It says the government imposed the blackout and has cut off Afghanistan from the outside world. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

Canadian authorities now consider an Indian crime organization known as the Bishnoi gang a "terrorist entity." The gang was linked by Canada to the assassination of a Sikh activist in the country. The World's Host Marco Werman learned more from Canadian journalist Stewart Bell. He's an investigative journalist with Global News, where he covers national security issues in Canada.

Inspired by Gen Z protests in Kenya, Nepal and Peru, youth in Madagascar have taken to the streets - and after facing government violence, they've secured major concessions. Today the country's president dissolved the government, agreeing to replace cabinet ministers with new officials. Gyude Moore, a non-resident fellow at the Center for Global Development, describes the implications to The World's Host Marco Werman.

An American private contractor arrested in Havana. Cuban intelligence agents serving long prison sentences in the United States. And a spy swap that sets the stage for a historic rapprochement between the US and Cuba. It sounds like a Hollywood thriller but it's all true. The story unfolds in a new eight-part podcast from Audible and Foreign Policy magazine called "I Spy: The US, Cuba and the Secret Deal That Ended the Cold War." Host Marco Werman learns more from the series creator, Dan Ephron, who is the executive editor of Foreign Policy magazine.

Italy and Austria just finished digging a massive tunnel through the Alps. It's nearly 4,600 feet deep, and when the project is complete it will be the longest underground railway in the world. European authorities say the link - known as the Brenner Base Tunnel - will transform travel through the area, cutting travel times in half, and significantly reducing carbon emissions. The World's Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel reports.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump met with Israel's prime minister in Washington for the fourth time in eight months. Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News over the weekend that he's "working on" a Gaza ceasefire deal outlined by the Trump administration, but that the deal was not yet finalized. News reports describe a three-page, 21-point peace plan from the Trump administration that includes an immediate truce, release of all hostages by Hamas and an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. It remains to be seen whether or not Netanyahu's far-right government can get behind the plan. The response from Hamas to the proposal is another unknown. The World's Matthew Bell has the latest.

Around 300,000 years ago, at least seven different species of humans roamed the Earth. But now, Homo sapiens are the only humans left. And a new television documentary series from The World's colleagues at NOVA digs into why that is. It's called "Human." British paleo-anthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi, hosts the "Human" series. She speaks to Host Carolyn Beeler.

The driest non-polar 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, and three years ago it prompted the Chilean government to name this region a national park. Here, researchers are finding clues to deal with climate change and extremely dry conditions. The World's Tibisay Zea first reported on this phenomenon in 2022, from the Atacama Desert.This story originally aired on Oct. 17, 2022.

Mexico and the US have launched a new bilateral initiative aimed at disrupting the stream of illicit weapons across their shared border. The announcement came during the first meeting of the new US-Mexico Security Implementation Group. Leon Castellanos-Jankiewicz, a senior researcher at the Asser Institute at The Hague, tells The World's Host Marco Werman why the initiative will be difficult to implement.

Hotly contested, scandal-ridden and mayhem. That's how the joyous, sometimes raucous, annual vote to select New Zealand's bird of the year is described. This year's winner is the New Zealand falcon. Host Marco Werman explains how a small conservation awareness project turned into an annual national event.

Moldova's pro-European party has secured a resounding victory in the country's parliamentary elections. Backed by President Maia Sandu, the party won nearly half the vote, while a bloc of pro-Russia parties managed just 24%. The result is being hailed in Brussels as a major pushback against Russian influence in the region. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joins Host Marco Werman for more.

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. With just 2.5 million people and borders with both Romania and Ukraine, the result of Sunday's vote could send ripples far beyond Moldova's frontiers. The World's Europe correspondent Orla Barry reports.

In Denmark, authorities are investigating a series of drone sightings near major airports and airbases in the country this week. In an address to the nation on social media, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the country was in the midst of a hybrid war." The World's Joshua Coe lives in Denmark and has been following the news closely. He joined the show from Aarhus in Jutland, where most of the drones have been spotted.

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. Yeore Kim is a virtuoso harmonica player with a diverse repertoire, from jazz to Radiohead. Host Carolyn Beeler will give us a taste of her music.This story originally aired on June 6, 2024.

If you are one of those super-organized people who plan their holidays well in advance, then you may already be looking for travel tips for next year - or even the year after. If that's you, we have a tip for 2027 to share with you! The Spanish town of Jerez de la Frontera is set to hold the next edition of its Copa de Jerez competition then. It's a sherry competition - the fortified wine being the other thing the town is famous for producing. DW reporter Ashish Sharma was in attendance at this year's event, which featured eight international tasting teams pairing a three-course meal with the finest Jerez sherries...

A long list of players have made a name for themselves during the last five weeks, as 16 teams from across the globe have faced off at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup. Now it's down to the final two teams to see who will earn the title of world champion. The World's Bianca Hillier has the details.

The Bayeux Tapestry is now in storage. More than 100 people worked to carefully prepare the nearly 1,000-year-old embroidery ahead of its loan to the British Museum next year. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with historian Cheryl White about how a piece of art this old can be moved - and why some people don't think it should be.

Rapper Liam O'Hanna has been cleared of terror charges in a London Court. The charge came after O'Hanna allegedly waved a flag in support of Hezbollah - deemed a terrorist group by some nations - at a concert back in November. Host Carolyn Beeler has the details.

Iran will end its participation in international weapons inspections if United Nations sanctions are reimposed, said the man now in charge of Iran's nuclear negotiations. Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was responding to what are called snapback' mechanisms scheduled to take effect this weekend. Carolyn Beeler speaks with FRONTLINE reporter Sebastian Walker about his exclusive interview with Larijani.

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. Host Carolyn Beeler learns more about the controversial program from Victoria Pihl Sorensen, a Danish historian who has studied Denmark's IUD program in Greenland. She's now a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.

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, and most importantly, one that is able to thrive in dry conditions. As part of our "The Big Fix" series, Chef Binta speaks with The World's Marco Werman about her efforts to encourage more women in the region to grow fonio.

The world heard from Syria's new interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa this week at the United Nations General Assembly. His message? Syria is back after being isolated for about six decades. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports from the UN on how his message is being received.

The Oxford English Dictionary announced its new entries on Wednesday. Twelve words and phrases come from the Caribbean, and several of those are all about food. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler dive in for a vocabulary lesson.

An HIV prevention drug will be made available at a new, low cost in 120 low- and middle-income countries starting in 2027, according to an announcement yesterday. The move is being called a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to bend the trajectory of the HIV epidemic. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the United Nations General Assembly today. His speech focused on what he called Israel's "war of genocide" in Gaza, and the future governance of the Strip. He said emphatically that Hamas will have no role in a post-war Gaza and that they will be forced to disarm. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the details.

At the UN Climate Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced 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. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Georgetown professor Joanna Lewis about how economics have driven China into a leadership position within the globe's energy transition.

The NFL and college football seasons are in full swing - and that means sports betting is too. It's a booming industry, and worldwide gambling losses could top $700 billion by 2028. States around the US are looking to see how they can keep gambling legal while reducing the consequences for problem gamblers. New England Public Media's Karen Brown takes us to the United Kingdom, which some consider a model for gambling regulators. Others consider it a cautionary tale.

Researchers in the UK have discovered how to successfully treat Huntington's, a devastating disease that runs in families and tends to hit people in their 30s and 40s. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the details.

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 gangs ran amok in the city, but managed to fly under the radar. These were Chinese gangs in Chicago. Axios Chicago reporter Monica Eng digs into her own family history to tell the story of these fierce rivals. Her story first aired on Curious City from WBEZ.

Russian troops have made incremental gains in parts of eastern Ukraine, although their advances elsewhere have stalled. That's according to Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Kofman explains to Host Marco Werman why Russian casualties are on the rise.

European countries are looking to bolster their defense capacities - including their manpower. A recent study says the region will need 300,000 more troops to defend itself. But where are those recruits to come from? Some countries are reinstating military service; others are looking for volunteers. From our partners at Deutsche Welle, DW, reporter Lisa Bryant sent us this report from a French bootcamp outside of Paris.

Hilbe is a legendary condiment, believed to have been mentioned in the Talmud, the ancient Jewish book of laws. It's considered a folk medicine, a cure all, a source of strength, and also just really tasty. Reporter Sarah Ventre has the story of how Yemenite Jews proliferated hilbe, and why it's nearly impossible to find outside of Israel.This story originally aired on July 9, 2024.

The World Bank is sending $4 billion to Argentina ahead of schedule to help stabilize the country's ailing economy. It's the result of extreme cuts made by the country's president, Javier Milei, that have successfully reduced inflation - at the cost of almost everything else. Host Marco Werman speaks with journalist Natalio Cosoy in Buenos Aires about the state of the economy and its impact on Milei's political standing ahead of next month's midterm elections.

As part of a cultural push to counter the influence of narco-corridos, President Claudia Sheinbaum's government is hosting Mexico Canta," a national songwriting contest aimed at lifting up non-violent musical expressions. The initiative encourages young musicians from Mexico and the US to create original songs that promote peace, resilience, and social reflection. The World's Tibisay Zea reports from Mexico City.

Alaa Abd el-Fattah, Egypt's most prominent political prisoner, has reunited with his family after six years in prison. Abd el-Fattah, a dual UK-Egyptian citizen and former blogger, was a key figure in the 2011 uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak. The University of Oklahoma's Samer Shehata discusses the timing of the pardon with The World's Marco Werman.

The world's largest storm this year to date, Super Typhoon Ragasa, is moving its way toward China after making landfall yesterday in the Philippines' northern island, causing major flooding and the evacuation of thousands. It followed weekend protests against corruption in the country, including a scandal known as "Floodgate," involving unfinished storm surge protection infrastructure across the country. The World's Marco Werman spoke to Ronald Holmes, a political scientist at De La Salle University in Manila.

Seventy years ago, China named the western region of Xinjiang an autonomous part of the People's Republic. Today, Chinese leader Xi Jinping made a rare visit to the region to commemorate 70 years of coexistence among different ethnic groups. But the reality is that hundreds of thousands of people within the ethnic Uyghur population and other Muslim groups have been sent by the Chinese government to "re-education" camps or subjected to forced labor.This story originally aired on July 21, 2025.

Machu Picchu is Peru's top tourist attraction and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. But protests over bus contracts left hundreds of visitors stranded last week, with trains and roads blocked by demonstrators. The unrest has reignited long-standing concerns about overcrowding, mismanagement, and access to the site. Now, the organization that gave Machu Picchu its Wonder title is warning that its status - and Peru's global image - could be at risk. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

Residents of Aix-en-Provence, France, could see a mountain disappear. The VIEW of a mountain, that is. The Mont Sainte-Victoire mountain's illustrious outline was made famous by impressionist painter Paul Cezanne. The painter captured the mountain's rocky ridges in dozens of landscapes. But that iconic view may someday only exist in his art. The World's Gerry Hadden has the story.

Medical experts and public health officials are alarmed and speaking up today after President Trump told pregnant women not to take Tylenol. Rebuttals to his comments were prolific across the UK this morning, as Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman explain.

War crimes researchers at Yale University have described it as "the single largest kidnapping of children during wartime since World War II". They say since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has taken tens of thousands of Ukrainian children. A summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly aims to put the spotlight on these children. The World's Shirin Jaafari speaks with Host Marco Werman.

The Malawi Electoral Commission, or MEC, states that it won't be pressured into declaring a winner in the country's presidential election until the panel has completed a proper vote count. Partial results were released yesterday, showing the former president with a strong lead. Host Carolyn Beeler explains.

Funding from the United States has been one of the primary ways that NGOs in South Korea have withstood the pendulum swing of administrations over the past couple of decades. President Trump revoked these funds, but a US judge recently ruled that the administration must disperse these grants. Jason Strother reports from Seoul.

In 1972, a march through a neighborhood in Derry, Northern Ireland, was intended to be peaceful. But that Sunday turned out to be anything but - it became known as "Bloody Sunday," when British paratroopers shot at an unarmed crowd of civilians, killing 13, with another later dying from his wounds. Don Mullan was 15 years old when he attended the march. His book "Bloody Sunday: Eyewitness" details what he and others witnessed that day. He discusses it with Host Marco Werman.

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly gets underway 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. The US and Israel are not pleased. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports from the United Nations in New York.

In Egypt today, the country's most prominent political prisoner has received a presidential pardon. Alaa Abd el-Fattah has spent most of the past 12 years behind bars. He became a leading voice for democratic change in Egypt during the Arab Spring that began in 2011. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the details.

This past spring, Rome's Fiumicino International Airport opened a new hotel for dogs. The hotel offers standard room and board, along with optional extras such as grooming, training and spa services, including massages and aromatherapy. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have the details.

Morocco on Friday became the 60th country to ratify the High Seas Treaty, which will now become international law. The treaty aims to protect huge swaths of the ocean outside of national boundaries. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Heidi Weiskel, of IUCN, about why the treaty is needed.