The World: Latest Stories

Host Marco Werman brings updates on fighting in Congolese cities and towns, as the rebel group M23 continues taking ground.

Panama has become the first Latin American nation to pull out of China's Belt and Road Initiative. It's also weighing whether to cancel its contract with the Hong Kong-based company that operates near the Panama Canal. Margaret Myers, an adviser to the US Institute for Peace, tells The World's Marco Werman that it's all part of the long rivalry between the US and China in Latin America.

Four feet of snow had fallen on Japan's main northern island as of Tuesday, and more snow is expected through Wednesday. It's caused disruptions for schools, airports, postal services and more. Host Marco Werman brings this update.

In 1848, Ranald MacDonald, the son of a Chinook chief and a Scottish settler, staged a shipwreck near Rishiri Island to gain entry into Japan - then, a closed country under isolationist policies. Despite being briefly imprisoned upon his arrival in Japan, MacDonald ultimately became a highly influential figure in fostering US-Japan relations. Rebecca Rosman brings us the story from Rishiri Island, in Hokkaido.

In his second international visit as interim president of Syria, Ahmed Al-Sharaa met with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to discuss military and economic cooperation. The World's Durrie Bouscaren discusses that developing relationship with The World's Marco Werman.

President Donald Trump's foreign aid freeze is putting US-backed programs across Asia in peril. But the new White House has made an exception for aid to at least one group: the Rohingya. Most live in refugee camps in Bangladesh, having fled a military purge in their native country of Myanmar. US food aid to the Rohingya will continue - for now - with Rohingya refugees currently facing new threats to their survival. The World's Patrick Winn reports.

Musician Seun Kuti is a lot like his late dad, Fela Kuti, with a catalog of songs about injustice and corruption. Seun Kuti's latest album, "Heavier Yet Lays The Crownless Head," returns to those themes, with lyrics calling out rulers and elites for prioritizing things over people.

Only 60 villagers remain in a Spanish town of Libros. The town's name translates to the word "books" in English, and now, a new young mayor thinks the key to the town's salvation is in its name: #librosalibros. The grand vision? A state-of-the-art library to put the town on the literary map. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Libros, in northeastern Spain.

A recent experiment found that bonobos can understand when a human lacks knowledge and will often step in to help a human out. Host Marco Werman spoke with Chris Krupenye, an evolutionary cognitive scientist at Johns Hopkins University, about his involvement in the study and what it tells us about the human-ape relationship.

The communication app WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has said around 90 mobile phones worldwide have been attacked by a spying operation. Host Marco Werman speaks with John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab about the hack, Meta's response and the continuing threat of sophisticated spyware.

In Norway, the government said this year's salmon fishing season would be the most restricted ever. That's because the wild salmon population is in serious decline. That's partly because of salmon farming, and partly due to climate change. The World's Marco Werman discusses the situation with Knut Wiik Vollset, a member of the Norwegian Scientific Advisory Committee for Atlantic Salmon. He joined the show from the coastal city of Bergen.

The Associated Press is reporting that an increasing number of commercial ships are being abandoned on the ocean. Cases have doubled the past three years. Host Marco Werman speaks with AP reporter Helen Wieffering about this trend and what it means for the maritime industry.

The early journeys of nutmeg, clove and other spices are the subject of the new book "The Spice Ports: Mapping the Origins of Global Sea Trade." Author Nicholas Nugent traces those journeys in conversation with The World's Marco Werman.

US President Donald Trump has threatened new tariffs on the European Union. This comes as relations between the US and the EU are already strained over Trump's threats to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory governed by Denmark. The Danish prime minister has said that's not going to happen, but the response from her fellow EU leaders has been muted. The World's Europe correspondent Orla Barry explains why.

On the Greek island of Santorini, schools have closed and residents are taking precautions in the aftermath of more than 200 earthquakes over the weekend. The island on the Aegean Sea is a tourist hot spot with millions of visits per year thanks in part to its unique geography. The island's crescent shape formed during one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. The World's Marco Werman gets perspective on the latest earthquake news from seismologist Nikos Theodoulidis, who joined the show from the Institute of Engineering Seismology & Earthquake Engineering in the Greek city of Thessaloniki.

Watching a groundhog emerge from a cozy burrow in early February feels quintessentially American, but the tradition of turning to animals to predict the spring comes from pre-Christian pagan traditions in Europe, from Ireland to Germany. And the ritual is more varied than simple rodent-watching. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

A recap of Grammy winners and nominees from across the globe, some big names and some newcomers to the world stage. Host Marco Werman has more.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she struck a deal to delay tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau threatens to fire back with tariffs on goods from the US. From Mexico City, The World's Tibisay Zea reports on how leaders of the US' two North American neighbors are dealing with the new administration's approach to trade.

When German parliamentarians passed a bill to curb immigration last week, they breached a long-standing norm prohibiting compromise with the country's extreme right. Now, protesters are out on the streets calling for a ban on the extremist parties that stand to make big gains in German elections later this month. The World's Marco Werman discusses the situation with Cathryn Cluver Ashbrook, an adviser to the Bertelsmann Foundation, a German think tank.

Ten days into President Donald Trump's administration, the US southern border remains closed to asylum-seekers. About a quarter million migrants who had been waiting in Mexico for US asylum appointments are now caught in limbo, with little options to cross the border legally. The World's Tibisay Zea reports that an increasing number of them are opting to settle in Mexico instead.

Syria's de-facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa was declared the country's transitional president on Wednesday. Yesterday, he addressed Syrians directly and called for justice and elections, following a transitional period. The country's constitution and the Baath Party, which previously dominated politically, were also dissolved. Host Carol Hills speaks with Syrian historian Sami Moubayed, about what this will mean for Syria as it enters this new phase.

In India, not all popcorn is taxed the same. The government has laid out a three-tiered system for taxing popcorn, with caramel popcorn taxed almost like a luxury item. The World's Sarah Birnbaum reports.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) runs the Olympic Games. It's been said to be the most influential sports organization in the world and the person at the helm - the president - is often tasked with being part sports official, part diplomat and part head of state. Now, seven candidates are vying for the chance to be the next president. The World's Bianca Hillier reports on how their campaigns are going.

Iconic British singer Marianne Faithfull died yesterday in London. Hosts Carol Hills and Carolyn Beeler remember Faithfull through some of her music, which evolved over a more than 50-year career.

Even before he was impeached, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea faced criticism for his alleged connections with spiritual healers known as shamans. The practitioners of an ancient belief system, shamans are often disparaged. But they also hold a special place in Korean culture, even today. The World's Matthew Bell reports from Seoul.

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has been releasing hit songs since 2020, recording with top hit makers including Drake, Rihanna and Beyonce. Last year, Tems finally released her debut studio album, "Born in the Wild". It's been nominated for Best Global Music Album at this year's Grammy Awards.

When US Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland visited the United Arab Emirates, he asked if they were shipping weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. Representatives from the UAE insisted they were not, but an assessment by the Biden Administration found that the UAE was indeed sending weapons to the RSF. Senator Van Hollen explains the consequences he plans for the UAE if it doesn't stop, and how the Trump Administration's unclear policy on Sudan has been going so far.

In Russia, the Kremlin has been steadily cracking down on the internet. Surveillance and censorship have increased, especially since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has cut off access to many of the most popular websites and apps. The latest target is YouTube. The World's Daniel Ofman reports.

Scientists are concerned about the mutations happening in the H5N1 virus - more commonly known as bird flu. This week, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control warned that new mutations in the virus could allow it to spread more easily to humans. About 70 people are known to have been infected in North America alone. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler spoke to Seema Lakdawala, co-director of the Center for Transmission of Airborne Pathogens at Emory University. She joined the show from Atlanta, Georgia.

In Belarus, strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko, has been in power for more than 30 years. Over the weekend, Lukashenko participated in his seventh election claiming to have won decisively. The Belarusian opposition in exile, and European leaders, have called the election a sham. The World's Daniel Ofman has this report on the state of Belarusian politics.

The majority of young people in the UK would prefer a dictatorship, according to a new report by British broadcaster Channel 4. It says that 52% of Gen Z surveyed says the UK would be a better place if a strong leader was in charge, who didn't have to bother with parliament and elections. And one-third says Britain would be better off if the army was in charge". The World's Europe correspondent Orla Barry reports.

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

Studies of material harvested from asteroid Bennu by a NASA spacecraft that returned to Earth in 2023 has now shown that it contains minerals and thousands of organic molecules, including the chemical components that make up DNA. Host Marco Werman speaks with Professor Sara Russell, a research scientist at the Natural History Museum in London, about how the new discovery affects theories about the origins of life on Earth.

In the 1990s, many Nepali-speaking citizens of Bhutan fled their country to escape oppression under the country's "One Nation, One People" law. After landing in temporary refugee camps in Nepal, many of them resettled in third countries. But some remain in the camps more than 30 years later, holding out hope that they can reclaim the land they once owned. Priyanka Shankar brings us the story, which she reported with Rojita Adhikari.

Flamenco music is in good hands with Spanish guitarist Antonio Rey. He's been playing this style of music since he was 10 years old. Now at 43, Rey has become one of the most passionate and successful ambassadors of this genre. His latest album, Historias de un Flamenco," is up for a Grammy Award in the Best Global Music Album category.

Across Africa, some 600 million people live without consistent power. At a big conference this week in Tanzania, heads of state and officials from the World Bank and the African Development Bank pledged to tackle the problem across the continent. The banks provided nearly $50 billion for a wide variety of projects. Elna Schutz reports from Johannesburg, South Africa.

In the 1970s and 1980s, a steady stream of Western backpackers traveled the overland route from Europe to South Asia, including stops in India, Nepal and Thailand. Author Rick Steves tells host Marco Werman about his trek on the backpacker path when he was just 23 years old. It's all chronicled in his new book "On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer."

Femicide is "a crime of murder perpetrated by a man against a woman in the context of gender violence". That's the current legal definition in Argentina, where it's been part of the country's penal code since 2012. Now, President Javier Milei says he is going to get rid of it because, "Equality before the law already exists in the West. Everything else is just seeking privileges." The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with Karen Naundorf, a journalist based in Buenos Aires who has covered gender violence in Argentina for many years.

The manga industry is seeing a new wave of creators experimenting with AI to speed up the traditionally labor-intensive process of comic creation in Japan. Traditional artists argue that AI lacks the soul" and cultural nuance that has defined manga, raising questions about artistic integrity, copyright and the future of human-created art. Rebecca Rosman talks to people in Tokyo's manga industry on both sides of the AI debate.

Across East Asia, it's a day of celebration, with China, Singapore, Taiwan and both Koreas celebrating the Lunar New Year. It's a day to gather with family and chase away bad luck. In Vietnam, the holiday is called Tt, and as The World's Patrick Winn explains, Tt has become synonymous with a song that's not even Vietnamese: "Happy New Year" by the Swedish pop group ABBA.

Alkebulan is the ancient, Indigenous name for Africa. It means "Mother of Mankind." To musician Matt B, this place helps him reconnect with his African heritage and culture, a background he knew little about as a kid in the south side of Chicago. Alkebulan II is Matt B's second album in this journey. It's up for a Grammy Award in the Best Global Music Album category this year.

US-funded assistance programs across the globe are reeling at the moment, following the order by President Donald Trump to freeze foreign aid, with a few exceptions. Yesterday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a waiver allowing for temporary spending on programs that provide life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter and subsistence assistance. But to understand the impact on USAID - the agency at the center of this crisis - Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Marcia Wong, who worked at the agency for 35 years.

A deadly stampede interrupted the celebrations at a Hindu festival in northern India and left dozens of people dead. The Kumbh Mela, which is celebrated every 12 years, is the world's largest religious gathering and draws upwards of 400 million pilgrims to the confluence of two rivers. According to Hindu belief, taking a dip in the river during this auspicious time can help wash away sins and free people from the cycle of rebirth. Reporter Sushmita Pathak has been following the developments.

Now that Rwandan-backed M-23 troops have seized Goma, one of the largest cities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, they are moving on to try to capture the southern city of Bukavu. The rebels made similar advances in 2012, but after intense international pressure, Rwanda stopped supplying the M-23 rebels. Analyst Michela Wrong tells The World's Marco Werman that this time around, the global community has been silent.

Before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Serhii Zenin was the host of one of the nation's most popular hard rock radio shows on Radio ROKS 103.6. Some three years later, Serhii is a soldier and Radio ROKS has taken on a whole new role, too. Radio Roks is trying to make millions of Ukrainians feel a little less alone - as they brace for whatever the Trump administration might bring. From the CLICK HERE podcast, Dina Temple-Raston reports.

Scientists used special equipment to survey and image a volcano beneath the ocean in the Arctic and discovered that it spews mud and gas. As they looked closer, they discovered an unexpected wealth of deep sea animal life surrounding it. Giuliana Panieri, a professor of geology at the Arctic University of Norway, who was part of the team of scientists, explains what makes it so special.

Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler highlight important global news stories flying just under the radar.

While some politicians are less than welcoming to those who want to enter the US, guitarist and composer Ciro Hurtado is sending the opposite message. His tune "Bienvenida a America" or "Welcome to America," is the first track on his Grammy-nominated album "Paisajes."

On Tuesday, Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned. While his intention to step aside was intended to quell protests, Sinisa Vukovic tells host Carolyn Beeler that the prime minister's resignation does little to address the issues of corruption and autocracy in the current government. Vukovic is a senior lecturer of conflict management and global policy at Johns Hopkins University, with a focus on the Balkans.

The reconstruction of Gaza is a major part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The task of rebuilding is a massive one following 15 months of Israeli bombardment of Gaza. More than 170,000 buildings have been damaged or flattened in the conflict. Host Marco Werman speaks with Mark Jarzombek, professor of the history and theory of architecture at MIT, about what it will require to actually rebuild Gaza.