The World: Latest Stories

A curling team in a mountain town near Barcelona claims to have invented the sport, one year before the Scots, nearly 500 years ago. But the evidence for this is sketchy at best - as is the seriousness of the team itself. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Vallvidrera, Spain.This story originally aired on March 18, 2024.

The sport of curling has fans around the world, despite its humble origins on frozen lakes in Scotland in the 1500s. But the fandom gets a massive boost when the Winter Olympics come around, when a big order is placed at the company that manufactures all of the curling stones used at the Games. Reporter Bianca Hillier has the details.

"Oral" is a song musician Bjork composed more than 20 years ago, but it never worked for any of her albums. She came upon the composition around the same time that a critical report was published about the devastating impact salmon farming is having on communities in her native Iceland. So, "Oral" became the featured song, performed by Bjork and Spanish superstar Rosalia, in a campaign to help Icelandic towns whose economies are suffering.This story originally aired on Dec. 4, 2023.

The last remaining US-Russia nuclear arms control treaty, New START, expired on Thursday, leaving the world's two largest nuclear arsenals without legal limits on nukes for the first time in over half a century. While the US and Russia still possess the most nuclear warheads, some US policymakers argue the treaty was outdated because of China's own rapidly expanding stockpile. The World's Host Marco Werman turned to Heather Williams, director of the Project on Nuclear Issues at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, to understand what happens next.

Famine conditions are spreading in Sudan's Darfur region, according to the IPC, the group that monitors global hunger. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, about what he saw on a recent trip to Sudan.

It's been nearly two months since a shooting rampage at a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach took 15 lives. Mass casualty shootings are rare in Australia. This one has refocused attention on the country's gun ownership and hate law reforms, as Sydney Morning Herald reporter Daniel Lo Surdo tells The World's Host Marco Werman.

Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler present a few items in the news today that you might have missed.

This winter, around 20 monks from a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas are walking from their home in Fort Worth to Washington, DC. The 2,000-mile walk is to promote peace, and ask for federal recognition of the Buddha's day of birth. WUNC reporter Aaron Sanchez-Guerra checked in on the marchers' progress while they were in North Carolina.

After years of civil war, and the ouster of a brutal dictatorship, Syria is showing signs of becoming a society based on the rule of law. Officials in the interim government of Ahmed al-Sharaa say trials for former members of the Assad regime could begin this year. Reporter Deborah Amos in Damascus explains the challenges the new administration faces.

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. This presents a challenge to Pope Leo XIV because, under Catholic doctrine, installing bishops outside of papal authority is an offense that leads to automatic excommunication. A Vatican spokesman says talks with SSPX, as the traditionalist group is known, will continue. But this would not be the first time a pope clashed with clergy from SSPX. Its founder was excommunicated in 1988.

Italy is preparing to host the Winter Olympics this week and for the first time in the Games' history, the event will be split between two cities. Milan, the country's fashion capital, and Cortina d'Ampezzo, high in the Dolomite mountains, will share hosting duties across a vast area stretching hundreds of miles. But the scale of the event is only one of several challenges facing this year's Winter Games. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

A statement released by the White House this week described the culmination of the Mexican-American war as a legendary victory" that reasserted American sovereignty, and expanded the promise of American independence across our majestic continent." Albert Camarillo, a professor of history at Stanford University, revisits the conflict's history with The World's Host Marco Werman.

In Libya, officials said Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son of the late strongman Moammar Gadhafi, has died. The 53-year-old was reportedly found shot to death, though further details are scarce. Before his father was toppled and killed in the 2011 uprising, Seif was a public defender of his family's regime. The country has been fractured by civil war and a fragile ceasefire since. The World's Host Marco Werman learned more from Libya analyst Jalel Harchaoui. He joined the show from Tripoli in Libya.

A month after US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, some signs of change are emerging - from small protests to opposition figures resurfacing. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has proposed a sweeping amnesty law that could free hundreds of political prisoners. But families and human rights groups remain wary. The World takes a look at the hopes and doubts behind the proposal.

Scientists in Cambodia are using audio recordings to track endangered gibbons in the Central Cardamom Mountains. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with scientist Ratha Sor about why the presence of these primates are an indicator of ecosystem health.

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro is in Washington today for a visit with US President Donald Trump. The meeting follows months of barbs exchanged between the two leaders, including claims by Trump that the Petro is a "drug lord" and threatening military intervention. But, as the International Crisis Group's Elizabeth Dickinson told The World's Marco Werman, the two countries have long relied on each other to fight the drug trade.

The city of Angkor was once the seat of the Khmer Empire in Southeast Asia. Starting about the year 802, Angkor flourished. But by 1430, the city was mysteriously abandoned, then swallowed up by jungle. Now, cutting-edge technology is revealing what likely led to Angkor's collapse. Sarah Klassen is an archaeologist at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and one of the researchers featured in the new PBS NOVA documentary. Klassen recently spoke to Host Marco Werman.

Russia's massive overnight attack on Ukraine included hundreds of drones and a record 32 ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, troops on the front line, like Sgt. Andrii Shadrin, say conscripts are having a tough time filling the shoes of more experienced soldiers. Shadrin speaks with The World's Host Carolyn Beeler about the fate of the Donbas, and what the territory he's defending will ultimately mean for how this war ends.

Austin Appelbee was enjoying a morning on the water with his mother and two younger siblings, kayaking and paddleboarding. That is, until the wind picked up and the water became choppy, pushing them farther out to sea and unable to paddle back. But Austin braved the ocean and swam for hours by himself back to shore to alert emergency services, who dispatched a helicopter and rescued his family. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have more details.

After a brutal crackdown on protesters earlier this month, the Iranian government has now launched a campaign of arrests across the country. Families say their loved ones are being held incommunicado. Human rights advocates say detainees are kept without official charges, legal access or family contact. And then, there are those who have gone missing, with no news of their whereabouts.

Spanish weather forecasters are facing an alarming jump in online attacks. It's not because they're getting the forecast wrong, but because they increasingly link extreme weather events to climate change. Meteorologists say the hate, harassment and threats are starting to affect their work. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

El Bosque is a former fishing village on Mexico's Gulf Coast that has been abandoned because of rising sea levels. This is not uncommon in some places around the world, but it was the first time to happen in Mexico. Alvaro Cespedes, from the WWNO podcast "Sea Change," has the story.

Brazil's revered singer Caetano Veloso was already in bed when he heard the news that he and his sister Maria Bethania had won the Grammy for Best Global Music Album, "Caetano and Bethania: Live." Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler offer a taste of a classic that they cover.

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman review global headlines flying just under the radar.

El Bosque, along Mexico's Gulf Coast, was once a thriving fishing village - until the water started rising. Now, its residents have been forced to flee their homes because of more extreme weather and rising sea levels caused by climate change. For the podcast Sea Change, produced by WWNO in New Orleans, Alvaro Cespedes introduces us to one woman determined to fight for the village's future - even as her neighbors flee the encroaching waves.

Spain's tennis phenom, Carlos Alcaraz, won the Australian Open over the weekend. And at 22, he became the youngest player ever to complete a Grand Slam - winning all four major tennis tournaments in a single year. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have more.

This year, countries, including the UK and Ghana, committed to bans on the destructive practice of bottom trawling. That's where weighted nets are dragged across the ocean floor to scoop up large catches of sea life. In Cambodia, one island community is using a more tangible strategy. Locals on Cambodia's Koh Sdach are dropping large cement blocks in near-shore waters, lying in wait to snag a trawling boat's fishing net. The blocks can also help promote biodiversity and increase fish populations by serving as artificial reefs. Leila Goldstein spoke with fishermen at sea on Cambodia's waters.

Barcelona's famous soccer club, known as Barca, is wrapping a three-year-long remodel of its stadium. It cost a pretty penny, in part, due to repeated fines for labor violations against foreign workers. Laborers from Romania, Turkey and other countries say they've been systematically overworked and underpaid - if paid at all. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona, Spain.

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 who are in need of medical care. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Fikr Shalltoot from Medical Aid for Palestinians about the significance of the change.

Albert Laguna, an associate professor of American studies and Ethnicity, Race and Migration at Yale University, taught a new class last semester called "Bad Bunny: Musical Aesthetics and Politics." The course put Bad Bunny's Grammy-winning music into context and taught students about the colonial relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States, a key theme Bad Bunny explores in his lyrics. Last September, Bianca Hillier went to Yale's campus to learn more.This story originally aired on Sept 3, 2025.

The northern Finnish port city of Oulu is one of two European Capitals of Culture in 2026. Deutsche Welle, DW's, Lars Bevanger takes a look at what those visiting the once-industrial city on the northernmost shores of the Bothnian Sea can find.

A new study published in the journal Science says longevity is even more dependent on genetics than we previously thought. Biostatistician Paola Sebastiani of Tufts University explained the factors influencing not just how long we live, but also how long we stay healthy, in this conversation with The World's Host Carolyn Beeler.

The US has imposed sanctions on 11 judges and prosecutors at the International Criminal Court. It has also sanctioned some individuals and NGOs working with the court. This has complicated the lives of those individuals who say they are being punished for doing their jobs. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports.

Derya Yildirim & Grup imek play a funk-infused, psychedelic reinterpretation of traditional Turkish music. Now, they're touring with an album that asks listeners to imagine what kind of world they want in the future. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler explains.

The surviving member of the pop duo from Munich, Fabrice Morvan, has been nominated for the reading of his audio-book, "You Know It's True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli." The group won Best New Artist in 1990 but became the first group ever forced to return its prize, when the world learned they hadn't sung on their smash hit first album. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

Keir Starmer is in China this week, marking the first time a British prime minister has visited the country in eight years. Starmer is calling it the end of an ice age" between the nations. UK-China ties have been under strain since Beijing's crackdown on Hong Kong, and amid allegations of Chinese spying in Britain. Starmer's trip has sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers, activists and the US. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry has our story.

Weeks into an internet blackout in Iran, more and more people are finally able to get online. Mahsa Alimardani has been monitoring the developments. She's the associate director of the Technology Threats & Opportunities program at the nonprofit WITNESS and joined Host Carolyn Beeler for the latest, from London.

Antoine Erout is part of a French-Nepali team building a new route up Mount Everest that avoids what's known as the Khumbu icefall. Due to the popularity of the route, as well as increased fragility of the icefall due to climate change, this part of the route is exceptionally dangerous. He joined The World to discuss.

As the planet warms and sea ice melts, the prediction has been that polar bears would have a harder and harder time finding food, and would begin shedding pounds. So, weight gain in the population is a cause for celebration. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

Last year, Ian Andersen began a cross-continent bike ride from the edge of Portugal to Japan. Along the way, he got caught in Iran as Israel carried out attacks on the country. Later, he got stuck in Mongolia for weeks as he awaited a visa to travel through China. As The World's Jeremy Siegel reports, his trip - shared in videos on Instagram and TikTok - has gained a massive following online and highlighted changing perceptions of Americans in a shifting world order.

Global demand for gold has driven its price up to as much as $5,500 per ounce. Daniel McDowell, a political scientist at Syracuse University and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, tells The World's Host Carolyn Beeler that gold's rising value is connected to rising instability being felt around the globe.

Now that Syria's civil war has more or less ended, hundreds of thousands of refugees are returning home. Turkey took in more Syrians than any other country in the world - and their continued presence has, according to polls, become a political liability for the government. But many Turkish companies are dependent on Syrian labor, and the returns are posing a major headache. Deutsche Welle, DW's, Dorian Jones reports from the industrial city of Gaziantep, close to Syria's border.

As President Donald Trump says the United States expects to run Venezuela for years during a long transition, the country remains crowded with armed groups tied to criminal economies. Among the most controversial are the colectivos - deeply ideological, pro-government civilian groups that operate in urban neighborhoods. The World speaks with several colectivo members in Caracas to understand how they see themselves and how they reconcile their anti-US rhetoric with a government now responding to pressure from Washington.

Ten European countries have agreed to significantly ramp up offshore wind in the North Sea. The pact envisions generating enough power for a million homes a year, for 10 years. It offers certainty to companies making the turbines themselves that there will be a market in the future. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with deputy CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council Rebecca Williams about the new deal.

Cuba is all but bankrupt. The island could actually deplete its supply of oil in as little as 15 to 20 days, according to the data company Kpler. Journalist Ed Augustin is based in Havana. He tells The World's Host Marco Werman that Cubans are scared and worried about what might come next.

The Trump administration has recently targeted the Somali community in Minnesota. Citing a fraud scandal, it's used ICE to crack down on them and others in the Twin Cities. People are on edge and that's affecting small businesses and daily life. The World's Sara Hassan speaks with people about their experiences, hopes and fears.

The Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria have lost almost all of the territory they controlled in northern and eastern Syria to the central government. This is a major shift in the power dynamics in those parts of the country, which also include several detention facilities holding thousands of suspected ISIS members and their families. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports.

A court in the Netherlands this week sentence a man to 20 years imprisonment in one of Europe's most significant human trafficking trials in history. Amanuel Walid was accused of running a vast network of trafficking, hostage-taking, extortion and sexual violence against migrants in Libya. They were held in detention camps and tortured until families in the Netherlands paid huge ransoms. Andrew Connelly reports from Zwolle, in the Netherlands.

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman catch you up on headlines in the news you may have missed.

The spiritual head of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury, going back to St. Augustine in the year 597. All of the archbishops that followed were men, until today. The Most Reverend Sarah Mullally was formally confirmed at a ceremony held at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. She's now the highest ranking cleric for some 85 million Anglicans around the world. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have the story.