The World: Latest Stories

According to recent research, the semicolon has declined in use in British books by 50%. The World's Sarah Birnbaum explores why the misunderstood punctuation mark is under threat.

Images of candles, flowers or a single banana in front of four apples in a line. These are among the images that are being erased from the internet in China today. That's because it's June 4, and also the 36th anniversary of the bloody crackdown in Beijing against the massive student-led protests at Tiananmen Square. The Chinese government has never come clean about what happened that day. And after all these years, China goes to extraordinary lengths to suppress just about any online reference to those events. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

Vietnam is scrapping a long-standing rule that families can only have two children. The National Assembly passed amendments on Tuesday to make that change. Host Carolyn Beeler has more details.

Seaweed plays a key role in the world's oceans. But too much of it disrupted ecosystems in the Caribbean this May. Brian Barnes has written about it in a new report published this week by the University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography Lab. Barnes tells Host Carolyn Beeler that there's no single scientific explanation for the explosive growth.

South Korea appears to have a new president. Polls and early results show Lee Jae-Myung winning a snap election today by a wide margin. Lee is a center-left politician promising to end a chaotic period for South Korea. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with The World's Patrick Winn, who's been following the election.

Japan's iconic terraced rice paddies are held in place by traditional stone walls. But the craft of building these walls is a dying art. Reporter Hannah Kirshner recently traveled to Fukuoka prefecture, in southern Japan, where she met a group dedicated to preserving agricultural practices, including stone wall building.

During the 13-year civil war in Syria, the forces under former President Bashar al-Assad carried out some of the most horrific chemical attacks in recent history. One of them was in April 2018, on the outskirts of Damascus, where at least 43 people were killed. The World's Shirin Jaafari visits the site and speaks with survivors, who say they need psychological support.

Japan is about a week into a new postal program that assigns a digital code to individuals that can stand in for physical addresses. The program is designed to do away with errors in labeling or addressing packages. Host Carolyn Beeler explains that, so far, the seven-digit code can only be used for package delivery.

Shima's days of being in a manufactured J-Pop band in Tokyo are over. Now, she's doing things her way, with total creative control. Shima's real name is Tina Johnson. As a Japanese American musician, she's made the move to Los Angeles as an electronic solo artist. Host Carolyn

US officials have suspended visa interviews for all international students looking to study in the United States. They say they're revamping policies to include the vetting of applicants' social media accounts. The US has long been the top destination for students from Latin America; many Latin American leaders have been educated in the United States. But as Michael Fox reports from Quito, Ecuador, that trajectory could be shifting suddenly.

The images of Monday's eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily were eye-popping. Towering plumes of charcoal-colored ash rose miles into the air. But scientists say what made this new eruption interesting was material that gushed across the land from the crater: pyroclastic flow. Host Carolyn Beeler explains.

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is facing growing calls to disarm following its battle with Israel last year. The group is now faced with major losses to its infrastructure and top leadership. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Sami Halabi from the Alternative Policy Institute about the complexities of disarmament for the group.

The octopus population in the waters south of England is booming. Typically a rare species, fishermen in one town pulled in more than 70,500 pounds of octopus on a single day - compared to the usual average of about 400 pounds. This population boom comes as those same waters are experiencing a marine heat wave that has lasted for several months. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with marine ecologist Lissa Batey about the increased population, the response from the fisheries and how the overall marine environment is shifting due to climate change.

A declaration of martial law. Impeachment. Months of protest and deep political divisions. That's what South Korea has been through over the last six months. Tomorrow, the country will vote for a new president. There's one clear frontrunner. But the political divide - along with big economic and security challenges - will remain, no matter who wins this election. The World's Matthew Bell has the story.

Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia met today in Istanbul, Turkey, for peace talks on the heels of a spike in airstrikes between the two sides. As The World's Durrie Bouscaren reports from Istanbul, the delegations agreed to a major prisoner exchange, but no ceasefire.

A new report from Tibet Action Institute documents a pattern of physical abuse and neglect in Chinese-run boarding schools that many are forced to attend. The report alleges that the schools are designed to separate Tibetan children from their parents and away from their language and culture. Host Carolyn Beeler gets the details from the director of the institute, Lhadon Tethong, who is based in Boston.

After Massachusetts approved a law allowing undocumented immigrants to drive legally in 2023, the numbers of licensed drivers doubled in a year. Despite growing fears of a nationwide crackdown on immigrants, people in the state are still seeking licenses in higher numbers than before the law was passed. A big reason for that is the state's attorney general, who has promised not to share license data with federal authorities. GBH Radio's Chris Burrell reports from Boston.

In a Moscow suburb, locals have been battling against city officials and the Russian Orthodox Church to stop construction of a new church in a city park. This construction project is part of a plan to build at least 500 new churches in Moscow - a city of roughly 12 million people. And over the past 15 years, thousands of new churches have gone up across the country. Levi Bridges reports that these construction projects represent a tightening relationship in Russia between the church and state.

The butterfly sanctuary in Mexico City's Natural History Museum is now the host of thousands of Orizaba silkmoths. Those moths have been steadily decreasing in number in the city due to urbanization. But 2,600 cocoons of the silkmoth were rescued from an empty lot, cleaned and hung up from clothing lines by biologists at the museum. Host Carolyn Beeler has the details.

For 80 years, the Fulbright program has enabled a research exchange between the US and the rest of the world, welcoming foreign scholars and scientists to the US and enabling US citizens to tap into research networks abroad. Not only has it strengthened US research prowess, but it's also become a major geopolitical soft power tool. The World's Joshua Coe reports.

Ukraine attacked targets deep inside Russia yesterday, in what Kyiv called "Operation Spiderweb." The Security Service of Ukraine claimed responsibility for the attack using drones smuggled into Russia, which they say knocked out some 41 Russian planes, though Russia disputes that figure. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Samuel Bendett, an advisor at the Center for Naval Analyses.

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 this week, Israel announced an expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the biggest expansion of settlements in decades. They're considered illegal under international law. Noga Tarnopolsky is an Israeli reporter based in Jerusalem.

Colombian pop star Shakira returns to US stages for the first time in seven years with her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour - Women Don't Cry Anymore. Following sold-out shows across Latin America, the tour includes nearly 20 US dates and blends personal storytelling, bilingual performances and global rhythms. It's projected to earn over $200 million worldwide. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

Beginning July 1, the French will no longer be able to smoke in places where children might be, including on beaches and at parks, sports venues or bus stops. If you're asking "what could be more French than smoking," well the truth is that smoking is on the decline in France. Though, as hosts Carol Hills and Carolyn Beeler explain, you can still smoke at outdoor cafes.

Under new UN-backed plans to streamline air travel, physical passports could become a thing of the past. The proposal from the The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) could lead to the most-dramatic shift in international air travel policy in decades, moving from a paper-based system to just facial recognition. The World's transportation correspondent Jeremy Siegel has the story.

Growing wildfires in Canada have forced widespread evacuations, with 17,000 people moved in Manitoba. Many of these people are from Canada's First Nations, in remote communities accessible only by single roads, boat or air. Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak Cree Nation is helping coordinate his community's evacuation. He tells The World's Carol Hills there is not enough accommodation, and resources are scarce as many communities need help.

Ethnic killings in Sudan, documented to have been committed overwhelmingly by the RSF, have been called genocide by the US government. The World's Carolyn Beeler talks with reporter Nicholas Niarchos, who went to Sudan, and whose story about Sudanese fleeing the Rapid Support Forces reveals the ideology that drives the RSF's violent campaign against various ethnic groups throughout the country.

A current exhibit at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts puts Vincent Van Gogh's portraits of the Roulin family into important context. The French family made the Dutchman feel like he belonged, and their relationship lives on in touching letters. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

The clash between the Trump administration and Voice of America continues. In March, an executive order was issued to eliminate VOA's supervising agency. Since then, VOA has been slashed and has cut down operations while also challenging the executive order in court. The World's Daniel Ofman reports that as VOA shrinks, Russian news agencies targeting international audiences are growing.

Reborn dolls that are hyperrealistic, handcrafted baby dolls have gone viral in Brazil, sparking both fascination and controversy. Co-hosts Carolyn Beeler and Carol Hills explain.

A Brazilian nun's spontaneous performance beatboxing on national TV went viral. Co-hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have this appreciation.

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. The World's Europe correspondent, Orla Barry, reports on what's shaping up to be a defining political showdown.

Syrians are rushing to buy metal detectors in the aftermath of the Assad regime's collapse late last year. Many are on the hunt for gold left behind by previous civilizations and empires from Syria's history. Amr al-Azm, a professor of Middle East history and anthropology at Shawnee State University, joined host Carolyn Beeler from Damascus to discuss the gold rush in Syria and how decades of family lore are driving this trend.

Mongolia's prime minister was seen as a force for reliable government in a country that has mineral-wealth oligarchies. But now, his son's unexplained lavish gifts and lifestyle have caused questions, protests and a confidence vote. The Mercedes Benz and Dior purse for his girlfriend looks to many Mongolians like corruption. Marco Werman speaks with Julian Dierkes, a Mongolia specialist at the University of Mannheim.

Harvard is known for being one of the top academic institutions in the world. But the university's sports teams also draw top talent from across the globe. About 20% of all Harvard athletes come from abroad. The World's Bianca Hillier reports on which sports are at risk if the Trump administration's ban on international students takes effect.

Thursday marked a milestone in Syria. For the first time since 2012, the US officially has a diplomatic presence there. Although the US Embassy has not reopened, on Thursday, the US flag was raised at the ambassador's residence in Damascus for the first time since the US left Syria in 2012. Carolyn Beeler speaks with Amr al-Azm, a professor at Shawnee State University about what comes next.

Longtime Estonia watcher and Deutsche Welle reporter Ben Bathke first fell in love with the Baltic country for its peaceful, prosperous, tech-savvy small-country vibe. Now, as Estonia finds itself at the forefront of Europe's bid to fend off suspected - and anticipated - Russian hybrid attacks, Bathke was drawn back again. His particular area of interest this time? Hybrid warfare, shadow fleets and the protection of critical deep-sea infrastructure.

The global banana company Chiquita has sacked thousands of Panamanian plantation workers after they went on strike to protest a new law curtailing their pension rights. After workers began blockading the Pan-American highway, Panama's government declared a state of emergency in the province of Bocas del Toro. The World's Marco Werman discusses the implications with Panamanian political analyst Rodrigo Noriega.

Dan Storper was 74 when he died last week in his adopted city of New Orleans. Arguably, no one in the US has done more to get Americans - as well as many around the globe who discovered Putumayo CD music compilations - listening to songs from around the globe other than Anglo-American pop. The World's Marco Werman has a remembrance.

It's been a good year for those obsessed about a potentially bad future - "preppers," as they're called. Preppers in Spain are seeing a big boost in interest, especially after last month's countrywide blackout; almost the only ones to ride out the darkness were the oft-maligned and mocked preppers. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

On June 1, Mexico will become the only country in the world where every judge in every court, including the Supreme Court, will be elected by popular vote. As the country prepares for this historic election, concerns are mounting over candidates with alleged ties to organized crime and religious groups. Activists say vetting has been weak, and former judges are alarmed. With long ballots and little public awareness, critics fear the reform may undermine, rather than strengthen, judicial integrity. The World's Tibisay Zea reports from Mexico City.

Myanmar's civil war is the most lethal in Asia - a crisis that has dragged on more than four years and killed an estimated 50,000 people. Is there any way to stop this conflict? Myanmar's neighbors think so. Southeast Asian countries, along with China, are getting more forceful about brokering peace - or at least trying. The World's Patrick Winn reports.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was presented to the world as a solution for the severe hunger in Gaza. Backed by Israel with US private security, its first day of distribution was chaotic. On the second day, at least 48 people were wounded in gunfire from security forces, and one person is said to be dead, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with David Satterfield, who was special envoy for Middle East humanitarian Issues under President Joe Biden, about what aid systems work. And he discloses what he knows about Hamas' diversion of aid.

Forty years before the Holocaust, Germany used concentration camps and pseudoscientific experiments to torture and kill more than 70,000 Africans in what was then called South West Africa. German colonizers targeted the Ovaherero and Nama communities because they refused to give up their land and cattle. Carolyn Beeler speaks with Jephta Nguherimo, the founder of the Herero People's Memorial and Reconstruction Foundation, about the decadeslong fight to have the 20th century's first genocide recognized and what the descendants of the victims are still demanding from German government.

Turkish aviation authorities have announced they will fine passengers who stand up too early after a plane lands and crowd aircraft aisles while waiting to deplane. The penalties for that and other offenses could reach nearly $70. Other fineable infractions include unfastening seatbelts while the plane is still taxiing, or opening overhead bins before the plane has been parked - all of which Turkish Airlines has described as strictly forbidden." Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more.

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

Nigeria is witnessing major violence by Boko Haram the past few weeks. The group and its splinters are responsible for deadly attacks claiming dozens of people. Mass killings in Borno and Yobe states now underscore a troubling resurgence of extremist activity in the region. Marco Werman speaks with Nigerian security expert Al Chukwuma Okoli.

The World Meteorological Society latest annual report projects global temperatures will climb to record highs over the next five years - including the increasing likelihood that temperatures will breach the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold considered necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with climate scientist Alice Alpert about what the WMO found, the consequences of our heat trajectory, and why it isn't too late to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Last week was Budget Day for New Zealand's government. The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, became the subject of controversy the next day when a local fashion house owner criticized her outfit for not being New Zealand-made. Some of Willis' colleagues in parliament protested the controversy by posting their own outfits on social media. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have the details.

Turkey's president has led the country for 22 years - first, as prime minister, then, as president. His latest call for a new constitution could keep him in power even longer. Meanwhile, protests against the imprisonment of his most-popular political opponent continue. Some critics say Erdogan has finally gone too far. The World's Durrie Bouscaren reports from Istanbul.