The World: Latest Stories

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.

Canada is expecting a large turnout for elections on Monday. More than 7 million people have already lined up to cast their ballots over the long Easter weekend. As Katie Toth reports, pretty much every issue the candidates are focused on - from cost of living to quality health care - is shaped by the political rhetoric coming from south of the border in the United States.

A group of Afghan girls who are musicians fled their home country after the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan. They went to Pakistan in the hopes of eventually being resettled in the United States. Now, Pakistan wants to send them back to Afghanistan. The World's Shirin Jaafari spoke with them and brings us their story.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski gave his annual address to Poland's parliament today. He warned about the threat of Russia seeking to annex European territories. The World's Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler explain.

The Arctic Circle Race in Greenland has been called the toughest race in the world. It's a three-day cross-country skiing competition through the mountains above the city of Sisimiut. This year, the race happened in an atmosphere of tension because of US claims on the territory. Reporter Emily Schwing skied the 62-mile race course herself, and has this story.

The Muslim Brotherhood is an international movement. It's branches do huge amounts of charity work, and they advocate for various kinds of political Islam. But in Jordan, their role as good samaritans and political advocates may be over. The government has banned the group. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Amer Al Sabaileh, a Jordanian university professor and nonresident fellow for the Stimson Center, who is based in Amman.

At least 26 people were killed and 17 others wounded when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Tuesday, the worst assault in years targeting civilians in the restive region, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, about what this attack means for simmering tensions between the two countries.

The pope is a head of state and a spiritual leader. Pope Francis leveraged this dual role to maximize the papacy's use of soft power" around the world. Timothy Byrnes talks with The World's Host Marco Werman about the pontiff's efforts to foster dialogue in places as diverse as China, the Mideast and Cuba.

The Supreme Court in Brazil is examining the role allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro might have played in an alleged coup attempt that took place after he lost the 2022 election. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have the details.

Marine geoengineering projects aimed at increasing carbon dioxide storage in the ocean are on the rise. Recent years have seen more than 50 field tests of different technologies, and hundreds of thousands of carbon credits have been issued to fund the research. But the idea of experimenting with the ocean is highly controversial, especially as the technologies have not been proven at scale. As part The World's ongoing series The Big Fix, Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Susanna Lidstrom, a researcher at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, about the tension between the swell of interest in marine geoengineering and the lack of scientific consensus about its role as a climate solution.

On Tuesday, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched a small bioreactor carrying genetically engineered yeast into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It's part of a larger plan to develop in-space food production systems to serve the International Space Station and future missions to the moon and Mars. Host Marco Werman speaks with Aqeel Shamsul, CEO of Frontier Space, a UK biotech company that is developing the platform for biotech and biopharma in space.

Across the globe, Catholics continue to mourn the death of Pope Francis. With questions about succession emerging, some are looking to Africa, where the Church has seen the most growth out of any region in recent years. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Reverend Father Pascal Mwambi Mwakio, a member of the Youth Advisory board of the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network, from outside Nairobi, Kenya.

Much work is being done to restore forests that have been cleared across the world. Rebecca Cole is doing her part by restoring the land on her family farm in Costa Rica. Cole is a restoration ecologist in both Costa Rica and Fairbanks, Alaska. She recently took part in the PBS documentary called "Secrets of the Forest", and spoke to Host Carolyn Beeler about her efforts.

Today, a group of gunmen opened fire at a tourist resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir. At least 20 tourists were killed, with dozens more injured. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack yet but local authorities are blaming militants fighting against Indian rule of the region. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more.

Move over fish and olive oil - and make way for plantain and fermented banana drink. According to a recent study in the journal Nature Medicine, traditional eating habits in rural Africa can boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. The so-called "African heritage diet" has not been explored before, unlike the Mediterranean and Japanese diets, which have been studied and promoted by the global health community for years. Experts say its time to expand what healthy eating looks like, beyond the Eurocentric mindset.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled the first phase of a major shakeup of the State Department today. The reshuffle eliminated 132 domestic offices and cut around 700 positions in Washington, DC. Ambassador Wendy Sherman, former second-in-command at the State Department, discusses the implications with Host Marco Werman.

Gauging public opinion in an authoritarian country, especially during a time of war, has been an ongoing debate among journalists, sociologists, researchers and experts who study Russia. The World's Daniel Ofman reports on some recent findings into the matter.

Myanmar is facing very heavy rain right now, exacerbating an ongoing humanitarian disaster there caused by two powerful earthquakes late last month that left the country's infrastructure badly damaged. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Damien Blanc, a water sanitation expert for the European Union's humanitarian aid response in Myanmar, about the difficult conditions people there are enduring.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in southern California wrapped up its 2025 edition this past weekend featuring a symphony for the first time since it started in 1999: the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the direction of Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Host Marco Werman explains what happened and why it's a significant cultural moment.

Freshly cut flowers are pretty to look at, but getting them to your local flower shop requires more than just picking them. Growing flowers requires a lot of time, water and energy. And the flower business employs millions of people worldwide. Reporter Kathleen Schuster set out to learn more about the global flower market trade for our partners at the Deutche Welle podcast Living Planet.

A Tunisian court has handed down harsh prison sentences of 13 to 66 years to political opponents of the country's president. It follows a mass trial of 40 people, some of whom were charged in absentia. Host Marco Werman speaks with Tarek Megerisi, a senior fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, about the charges in the case and what it means as Tunisia continues to backslide on democracy.