The World: Latest Stories

Fifty years have passed since Vietnam's people reunified after a long and bloody struggle. Most scars from that time have healed, but not all. The chemical Agent Orange - dropped from US planes to eradicate jungles - has proven notoriously hard to remove from Vietnam's soil, even though the US has spent decades trying to do just that. As The World's Patrick Winn reports, there's another wartime chemical, Agent Blue, that's received far less attention even though it's still making people in Vietnam sick.

Journalist Maria Ressa, the co-founder of the Filipino investigative news site Rappler, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and the author of "How to Stand Up to a Dictator," speaks with The World's Carolyn Beeler. They discuss how the slide toward authoritarianism Ressa experienced firsthand in the Philippines is eerily similar to what she's seeing today in the US.

Rabbi Moshe Azman is one of the chief rabbis of Ukraine. In the early days of the full-scale invasion, like President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Azman stayed in Kyiv. This decision has had a major impact on the Jewish community in Ukraine - it was seen as a courageous act of resilience. Since then, Azman has become an even more popular figure in Ukraine, because of his multifaith outreach efforts and his engagement with important figures in Ukraine government and security establishment. The World's Daniel Ofman has a profile.

Tarot cards have been around for 600 years and seem to find new adherents with each generation. One reason is that artists, mystics and writers have given them their own particular stamp over the centuries. Carolyn Beeler speaks with independent scholar, writer, teacher and tarot card expert Mary K. Greer about the origins of tarot cards and why they continue to fascinate.

An team of scientists has conducted research into the specific ways birch trees in the Costa Bocche forest in the Dolomites mountain range use bioelectrical signals to prepare for solar eclipses. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Alessandro Chiolerio, lead author the study, about how this research was conducted and what it tells us about tree communication.

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. The World's Carolyn Beeler heard from Massimo Faggioli who teaches theology and religious studies at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

The South Korean Indie rock group HOA may sound like a Beatles knock-off band, but since 2015, they've generated their own unique sound in a country where K-pop rules. Fans have taken notice. We'll hear two of the groups most recent tunes.

Colombia and Venezuela are neighbors in South America, and they share deep cultural ties despite different political histories. The Latin rock bands Bomba Estereo from Colombia and Rawayana, of Venezuela, have long wanted to work together. Now, the lead singers have finally made it happen in a newly released collaborative album called "Astropical." Manuel Rueda caught up with Li Saumet and Beto Montenegro before a show in Bogota ahead of a North American tour to hear about their vision for the album, and what it reflects about their countries' political situations.

A conservation charity based in the UK runs a citizen science survey called Bugs Matter. It tracks movements in the population of local flying insects via the number of bugs that splatter on the license plates of its participants' cars. There has been a worrying downward trend in recent years. Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

Operas are often performed in Italian, German, or French.That's why there are what's called surtitles" or supertitles" projected above the stage. They translate the lyrics into the audience's main language. That doesn't help blind and low-vision audience members, though. So now, an opera company in New Zealand has come up with an accessible solution. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

Fifty years ago on Wednesday, the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, marked the end of the Vietnam War. Most Americans remember is as one of the longest and most-unpopular conflicts in US history. But in Vietnam, the anniversary is being celebrated as the end of a much-longer struggle for liberation, one that predates US involvement by several decades. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

The Sycamore Gap tree once sat symmetrically between two hills along Hadrian's Wall. But more than 1 1/2 years ago it was chopped down, causing disbelief for locals and admirers that considered it a sacred site. Now, two individuals in the UK are being tried for chopping the tree down. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with lawyer Sarah Dodd, a tree law expert, about the trial and how the Sycamore Gap tree is being remembered.

Ukrainian officials flew to Washington on Wednesday with high hopes. They thought they might finally sign a long-awaited deal with the US to develop Ukraine's mineral, oil and gas resources. Ukraine and the US were originally expected to sign the agreement back in February, until a public argument erupted in the Oval Office. Gracelin Baskaran, director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, discusses the roadblocks to an agreement with The World's Carolyn Beeler.

Spain is testing out new artificial intelligence technology that will change the speed limit on a major highway based on weather conditions, the amount of traffic, time of day and road conditions. They hope the system will help alleviate gridlock and increase safety on one of the country's busiest highways. The World's transportation correspondent Jeremy Siegel reports.

German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a leader of the Protestant resistance to the Nazi regime, was executed 80 years ago for his role on the fringes of a failed plot to assassinate Hitler. In the past decade, US Christian nationalists and others on the far-right have adopted Bonhoeffer as a patron saint, reading into his life and writings a theological reasoning for Christians to abandon pacifism in resistance to what they consider the evils of a repressive state. Valerie Hamilton reports from Munich.

Fourteen-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi cemented his future in cricket on Monday when he became the youngest person to score a century in men's T20 cricket, a format of the sport. A century" in cricket is when a batter scores 100 or more runs in a single inning. Host Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the details.

The Herd initiative is bringing life-size puppet animals on a migration across the globe. It's from the same team that also took Little Amal, the Syrian refugee puppet, on a global tour. This time, however, it's about raising awareness about the planet's climate crisis. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with David Lan, producer of The Herd project, about the puppet production and its mission.

The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched a first-of-a-kind satellite on Tuesday that will count the carbon in Earth's rainforests. Scientists hope to better understand the importance of rainforests in storing carbon and the impact of deforestation. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Mat Disney, a professor of remote sensing at the University College London, about his involvement with the satellite project and how the satellite will operate.

In the years following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, political repression inside Russia has increased considerably. Russia now has hundreds of political prisoners, who are tried under new laws that are all meant to suppress any form of dissent - especially against the war. The World's Daniel Ofman reports, that despite relentless pressure, there are still lawyers, and human rights defenders in Russia fighting for the rights of political prisoners.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has closed its renowned but controversial Benin Kingdom Gallery. The space prominently displayed bronze and ivory objects considered masterpieces from the former African kingdom, now a part of Nigeria. The collection has raised questions about the legacy of colonialism, looted art - and proper museum stewardship. The renowned collector who donated the works has so far remained mum about the situation. GBH's James Bennett the Second reports from Boston.

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 Canada's political landscape. The election results are widely being seen as a mandate for how Canada should respond to Trump. GBH News reporter Phillip Martin is in Toronto and has the results.

The Trump administration has made no secret of its desire to dismantle institutions that for decades have been the source of America's soft power." Efforts like the Peace Corps, Voice of America and USAID have been either drastically cut back or entirely gutted during Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. The World's Carolyn Beeler hears from Daniel Drezner, about what that will mean for Washington's place on the world stage.

In Hong Kong on Tuesday, Claudia Mo, Jeremy Tam, Kwok Ka-ki and Gary Fan were released from prison after spending more than four years there. They are among 47 activists arrested in 2021 for their roles in an unofficial primary election under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law. Marco Werman speaks with Kris Cheng, a reporter from Hong Kong currently based in London, about the significance of this release and what is left of the Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement.

The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago this week. Le Ly Hayslip was a teenager at the time, caught in the crossfire between the north and the south. Over the course of the war, she suffered torture and abuse before moving to California where she became an advocate for reconciliation and peace. Hayslip spoke with The World's Marco Werman about her life in Vietnam, the experience of the war and the lessons from the conflict.

Wind Phones are not connected to any phone line, but they are connected in a different sense. The phones create space for people to have a one-way conversation with their loved ones who have died. The wind - so the idea goes - carries your message. The World's Bianca Hillier visited a Wind Phone and speaks with people who use them as a grief tool.

The death toll from the weekend explosion at a strategic port in southern Iran has been rising. At least 65 people have died, according to state officials. Another 1,200 have been wounded. Meanwhile, emergency crews continue to try to contain the fire. The World looks at the latest.

Ajay Gallewalle grew up in a small town in India, and when he finally got the chance to play, the stakes were high: a girl he had a crush on would be watching the game. Upon learning that the existing pantheon of Hindu gods did not include a deity overseeing success in baseball, Gallewalle got creative.

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman catch you up on a few headlines you may have missed.

Over the weekend, Uganda's Health Ministry announced the end of a monthslong Ebola outbreak. Just over a dozen cases of the disease were reported, which left at least four people dead. Host Marco Werman speaks with Suudhi Bamutya, manager of epidemics - and pandemics - preparedness and response for the Uganda Red Cross Society. He joined the show from Kampala.

The 2025 London Marathon was a race for the history books. Not only was it the biggest marathon in history with more than 56,000 people crossing the finish line, but athletes also broke more than 40 Guinness World Records. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the details.

UN and Palestinian representatives have accused Israel of violating international law by blocking all aid from entering Gaza. Israel is not participating at the International Court of Justice hearings. Israel cut off all supplies to the over 2 million residents in the besieged territory in early March. Conditions have been steadily deteriorating in Gaza. The World's Carolyn Beeler talked with reporter Noga Tarnopolsky in Jerusalem for the details.

Large parts of Spain and Portugal have been hit by power outages. This has caused widespread chaos as it stops trains, traffic and cellphone services. This includes in the countries' capital cities of Madrid and Lisbon. Officials have ruled out a cyberattack but there are no explanations so far. The World's Gerry Hadden in Barcelona reports under blackout conditions.

In recent weeks, the "almighty dollar" has seen its value tumble compared to other major currencies like the euro. It's happening at a time of uncertainty about the impact of the Trump administration's tariffs, causing some to wonder about the future of the dollar as the world's go-to reserve currency. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks to David Lubin, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, an international think tank based in London. He joined the show from Washington.

India has suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, a major water-sharing agreement with Pakistan. It comes in response to a recent attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. The treaty splits control of the six rivers in the Indus Basin between the two countries that's held for 65 years, despite ongoing conflict. The World's Host Carol Hills spoke with Professor Hassaan Khan, of Tufts University, about the history of the treaty, the ramifications for Pakistan - an already water-scarce country - and what this could mean for wider water diplomacy.

Coral reefs around the world are in the middle of the worst mass bleaching event in history that started in January 2023. New data released this week shows that 84% of coral reefs have been bleached since this episode began. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler spoke to scientists about the impact on ecosystems, and why this mass coral bleaching event may continue on.

Lawmakers in the UK are calling for fines of up to $1,300 for "headphone dodgers" who play loud music and videos on public transportation. Current bylaws already ban many forms of anti-social behavior on trains and at stations, but the new law would explicitly ban playing music and videos out loud from a phone on trains and buses in England. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry chats with Host Carol Hills about the proposed law.

The Spanish Civil War was a conflict that pitted the Republican government against Spanish Nationalists led by General Francisco Franco from 1936-1939. Families were torn apart as people took sides. That includes relatives of writer Julian Zabalbeascoa, who has now written a novel based on his family history called, "What We Tried to Bury Grows Here." He discussed his book with The World's Host Marco Werman.

With more than 1 million international students on American college campuses, the US hosts more learners from abroad than any other country in the world. But that welcome mat has been rolled back up for some. Over 1,800 international students have seen their status changed by the US government, according to the latest data collected by the news website Inside Higher Ed. As The World's Joshua Coe reports, some students wonder if they should stay or go.

Pope Francis's three days of lying in state ended today at 7:00 p.m. The late pontiff's funeral will be held tomorrow in Saint Peter's Square, followed by his burial at Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Carol Hills walk through tomorrow's events, when Francis will be laid to rest.

The world's first professional curling league was announced this week. Rock League will have six teams: two from Canada, two from Europe, one from the US and one from the Asia-Pacific region. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Carol Hills have the details.

Coffee giant Starbucks is being sued over allegations that it's sourcing its coffee beans from a farm in Brazil with slavery-like working conditions. The labor rights group International Rights Advocates is representing eight unnamed Brazilian farmworkers in the lawsuit. The World's Host Carol Hills spoke to Etelle Higonnet, the founder of Coffee Watch, an advocacy group focused on environmental and human rights abuses in the coffee industry, who joined from Copenhagen, Denmark.

Nearly 3 million immigrants got amnesty under former US President Ronald Reagan. It had certain requirements. Among them, people had to prove they weren't guilty of a crime and had lived in the US for at least five years. Some of the immigrants granted amnesty still work on farms in Washington state. Eilis O'Neill reports from KUOW in Seattle.

Overnight, Russia launched another deadly attack in Ukraine. This time, the target was Kyiv. A combination of drones and missiles struck residential areas, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 60. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pressuring Ukraine to accept a peace proposal that critics say is much more favorable for Russia. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with The World's Daniel Ofman.

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has traveled plenty of miles on foot since 2012 when he began his long walking journey across the globe. But he's also crossed a number of sea crossings, as well. Salopek joins Host Marco Werman for a conversation about those sea crossings, the types of ships he took and the people he met along the way.

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust, or Yom Hashoah. There are approximately 245,000 Holocaust survivors still alive today, and it's estimated that there are around 1 million third-generation Holocaust survivors in the United States. As The World Sarah Birnbaum reports, it's falling on them to keep the stories of their grandparents and the Holocaust alive.

Three more Chinese astronauts are now aboard China's space station. They're part of a crew rotation to replace the three astronauts there now. China first put astronauts into space in 2003. The World's Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler discuss the space program's current goals.

People in Spain's Catalonia region celebrate Sant Jordi, or Saint George's Day, by giving each other books and roses. It's about language and love, but this year, there's a bit of anger thrown in. It's because the opening author, Javier Cercas, lives in Catalonia but only writes in Spanish - a no-no for local language purists. Cercas is also a critic of Catalan independence. It's brought separatists into the street, although in low numbers, as The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

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

Scientists have long known that the venom of each rattlesnake species is a distinct, constantly evolving chemical cocktail. Now, new research shows that the venom of rattlesnakes that live on Mexican islands with significant space and competition has evolved to be simpler and better tailored to their prey. Mark Margres of the University of South Florida discusses his findings with The World's Host Carolyn Beeler.

April is the hottest month of the year in Thailand, with temperatures easily hitting 105 degrees Fahrenheit come mid-afternoon. That'll have many tourists pining for a cold one, only to find out - even in the country's wildest party spots - a beer is suddenly hard to find. That may change soon. The World's Patrick Winn reports on efforts to repeal a controversial Thai law that discourages day drinking.