The World: Latest Stories

Ecuadorians voting in a referendum this weekend gave President Daniel Noboa new powers to crack down on increasingly violent drug gangs. But some remain wary that their president's zeal to combat drug lords might endanger the country's democratic institutions, as analyst Sebastian Hurtado explains to The World's host Marco Werman.

Russia and Ukraine won't share exact numbers of fallen soldiers, but it's one man's mission to give those left behind on the battlefield a proper resting place. A team from the Center for Investigative Reporting and the Associated Press follows Oleksiy Yukov as he leads a group of volunteers across dangerous terrain to help the souls of the dead find rest. From Reveal, Michael Montgomery reports. Montgomery was supported by reporter Solomiia Hera. [This story was produced by Stephen Smith, with original reporting from Erika Kinetz of the Associated Press. Hear the full episode at Reveal (https://revealnews.org/podcast/escaping-putins-war-machine/).]

Analysis of new satellite data shows that China's cities are sinking at a rapid rate. Causes include depletion of ground water and the sheer weight of buildings. If this continues, much of the land will sink lower than sea level. That could lead to future disasters with rising sea levels because of climate change. The World's hosts Carolyn Beeler and Carol Hills have more.

Gazoz is an old-school, hyper-local style soda that's been ubiquitous in Turkish beach towns since the drink was invented more than a century ago. Every town has a signature brand, often with some kind of local flavor like pine, lavender or sweet almond. The World's Durrie Bouscaren reports from southern Turkey on why this beloved drink is having a moment.

The United Nations has described the current state of government and society in Haiti as "cataclysmic," with armed gangs seizing control of much of the country. Haiti has managed to create a transitional council of former and current officials, religious leaders and at least one businessman, to chart a course towards government stability and elections. Despite the dangerous situation, the Biden Administration has resume deportations of undocumented Haitians from the United States. The World's host Carol Hills talks with Harold Isaac, an independent reporter in Haiti, about what's happening.

Voting begins today in India in what's being called the largest election in recorded history. Nearly 1 billion people are eligible to vote in the election, which will happen over the next six weeks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be re-elected for a rare third term, despite concerns about the growing Hindu nationalist movement he represents, and high unemployment. The World's host Carolyn Beeler spoke with journalist Sushmita Pathak, who talked to voters at the polls today, from the city of Jaipur.

Artists who use nature sounds in their recordings - including Brian Eno, the UK's Ellie Golding, India's Anuv Jain, Norway's Aurora and Colombia's Bomba Estereo - are featured on a new Spotify playlist that will help to fund environmental causes. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Carol Hills preview the music - and the natural sounds - from the "Sounds Right" project.

US and Iranian officials confirmed an Israeli attack on the Iranian city of Isfahan late on Thursday. Explosions were heard over the city which is home to several key military sites in Iran, including nuclear research facilities. Host Carol Hills speaks with Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, to find out more details on the attack and whether or not this will lead to more conflict.

There's a growing social media campaign to boycott Canada's biggest grocery store chain, Loblaws, through the month of May. This is the latest development in an increasingly fractious battle between Canadian grocers and their customers, as prices rise across the market. Anita Elash reports from Toronto.

In 1936, left-leaning athletes from around the world came to Barcelona to hold alternative games as a protest against the official ones hosted by Adolf Hitler, in Berlin. But another fascist - Spanish coup leader Francisco Franco - spoiled their plans. The Olympiad's opening day coincided with the start of the Spanish Civil War. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

It could be the largest marine reptile ever, icthyotitan severnensis. A giant of the Triassic age, says paleontologist Dean Lomax. His paper about the ancient creature was published this week, aided by an 11-year-old and her dad combing the sands of a beach in England. Host Carolyn Beeler has more details.

National Geographic explorer Paul Salopek tells host Carolyn Beeler what it was like to walk 700 miles across the plains of eastern Turkey, historically called Anatolia, a land that connects Europe with Asia. The war in neighboring Syria and thousands of years of conflict and conquest quietly echo through this peaceful, pastoral land.

There are about 133 hostages still captive in Gaza. Negotiations are continuing for a ceasefire to help get them released. But so far, they have failed. One of the hostages is 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival. His parents Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin have been working hard to bring him home. The World's Marco Werman sat down with them last week in Jerusalem to find out more about their son.

Qatar has been holding negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at securing the release of Israeli hostages and bringing about a ceasefire in Gaza. But those efforts have so far failed and Qatar is taking heat for its role from politicians in Washington. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Charles Lister, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, about Qatar's role so far and who else might be able to step up and help mediate a release of the hostages.

US sanctions are back on Venezuelan oil. On Wednesday, the Biden administration reimposed the sanctions it had lifted last fall. The new decision was a rebuke to Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

Three years ago, Colombia announced an ambitious plan to integrate 1.8 million displaced Venezuelans, by granting them residency permits and funding initiatives that would help them access education, healthcare, and jobs. But this ambitious plan, which was hailed by the UN as an example for the world to follow, has stalled as a new government in Colombia tries to improve relations with Venezuela's government. In Bogota, Manuel Rueda talked to many Venezuelans planning to head north to the United States, because life in Colombia is too difficult, particularly for the recent arrivals who haven't been able to gain residency.

Health care workers treating patients in war zones expect to experience trauma themselves. But nothing prepared British surgeon Dr. Khaled Dawas for his second trip to Gaza, a visit that ended last Sunday. Dr. Dawas speaks with host Carolyn Beeler about deteriorating conditions in the conflict zone.

Repeated volcanic eruptions on a remote island in the Indonesian archipelago have prompted authorities to issue a tsunami alert and order more than 11,000 people to leave the area. Indonesia sits along the "Ring of Fire" and has 120 active volcanoes. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks to volcanologist Tracy Gregg at the University at Buffalo about what she's noticing about the lava flows in this particular volcano.

Heavy rains have dumped more than two years worth of precipitation on Dubai and surrounding nations. It's in an extreme weather event analysts are linking to climate change. More than five inches of rain fell in 24 hours. Host Carolyn Beelers speaks with Greg Tanner with the Abu Dhabi-based news outlet, The National. He joined her from Dubai.

PIX is a three-year-old system developed by the Brazilian Central Bank that has revolutionized how Brazilians pay for things. It's like sending an instant wire transfer through the banking app on your phone with the click of a button, and no fees. Michael Fox reports from Florianopolis, Brazil, on how the banking app has changed Brazilian society in just three years.

Gerson Lanza was first introduced to tap dancing via television when he was growing up in Honduras. But after he moved to New York City as a child, the art form became the key to him learning how to truly communicate in the United States. He tells his story to Meklit Hadero for The World's series and podcast "Movement," stories at the crossroads of music and migration.

From the quirky to the critical, hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have a round-up of global news that might have escaped your attention.

The civil war in Sudan has now reached the one-year mark. Fighting between rival generals of Sudan's armed forces has turned the country, once on a hopeful path to democracy, into one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world. Millions of people have had to flee their homes, and thousands of civilians have been killed. The World's Africa correspondent Halima Gikandi reports from Nairobi, Kenya where many Sudanese have fled.

A neighborhood in Barcelona beset by tourists got Google and Apple to make it disappear - or at least the bus route that winds through it to the famous Gaudi park, Parc Guell. In recent years, so many visitors have been jumping on the 116 Line that locals, many elderly, are left waiting at the curb. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

A teenager has been accused of attacking an Assyrian bishop and wounding three others during Monday's live streaming of a church sermon. Australian police believe the stabbing was religiously motivated. The bishop, who has a large online following, has expressed critical views of LGBTQ people and the Prophet Muhammad in the past. As The World's Sarah Birnbaum reports from Sydney, it's the second knifing in the city in less than a week and Australians are stunned.

Canadian officials are expressing awe and concern over an elephant seal that has rebuffed multiple attempts to relocate him away from the town beach he's made his home. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have details about efforts to keep the animal and the public safe.

A new landmark agreement between the Haida Nation and the British Columbia government recognizes Haida title over all of Haida Gwaii, an archipelago of more than 150 islands almost 60 miles off of British Columbia's north coast. This agreement was negotiated, not litigated in the courts. Host Marco Werman finds out why in a conversation with Louise Mandell, an aboriginal rights lawyer who has worked with the Haida nation for decades and advised them on this agreement.

Police beat protesters outside Georgia's parliament building today following the body's approval of a Russian-style foreign agent draft law. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Giorgi Lomsadze, a Georgian journalist based in Tbilisi, about what this means for the country and its position between Russia and the West.

Though it has less than 1 million citizens, the Solomon Islands is caught up in a very big game with the world superpowers. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare - who is pro-China - is asking voters on April 17 to choose a future aligned with China and not the West. Alarmed, the US is now starting to pay attention to a country it has long ignored. The World's Patrick Winn reports.

The global effort to get more renewable energy projects built saw some progress in the past year. The Global Wind Energy Council reported on Tuesday that 117 gigawatts of new wind energy projects were installed in 2023. That's a 50% increase over the year before. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have more details.

A new study of anger in people shows little evidence that venting helps, and in some cases it could increase anger. Host Marco Werman speaks with Sophie Kjaervik, a postdoctoral fellow in the The Injury and Violence Prevention Program at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is lead author of the study published this month in Clinical Psychology Review, and says, "To reduce anger, it is better to engage in activities that decrease arousal levels," such as slow-flow yoga, mindfulness, deep breathing and taking a timeout.

With supply shortages softening Ukraine's air defense capabilities, Russia has in recent weeks been targeting a more exposed Ukrainian power grid. Airstrikes have targeted major power plants around cities including Kyiv and Kharkiv. Host Carolyn Beeler learned about the extent of the damage to the country's infrastructure from Andrian Prokip, head of the energy program at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future.

On the heels of March Madness some star international players are going pro with the WNBA. That includes Croatia's Nika Muhl who helped lead the University of Connecticut's women's team. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the details.

The US is seeing a significant drop in illegal border crossings, a surprising development given that crossings typically rise as temperatures turn warmer. The World's Tibisay Zea reports from Mexico City that the migrants are increasingly stuck in Mexico, because authorities there are cracking down on immigration at the request of the Biden administration.

A roundup of offbeat and other stories from across the globe you may have missed by hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler.

US officials say they hope Israel's tensions with Iran don't widen and deepen. At the same time, Israel's military chief now says that his armed forces will respond to Iran's weekend missile attack. Retired Adm. John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council, talks with host Marco Werman about the role the US will play as its ally Israel decides how to retaliate.

Coral reefs from Australia to North America are experiencing their fourth global bleaching event in the past 30 years. That's according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coral Reef Watch. Scientists worry that the coral reefs won't be able to survive continued rising sea temperatures. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with reef expert David Obura, founding director of CORDIO East Africa.

A massive blaze at Copenhagen's old stock exchange building destroyed much of the building, including its iconic spiral. Firefighters and volunteers worked to save priceless art and valuables at the site. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Mark Isitt, a Swedish architecture critic who lives in Copenhagen, about what's been lost and how Copenhagen residents will remember the building.

There is a small population of Palestinians and Arabs, about 20%, who are Israeli citizens and have all the rights of the country. That includes political leaders. Sami Abu Shehahdeh is a former member of Israel's parliament, the Knesset and chairman of the Balad Party. This party represents the interests of Palestinians and Arab Israelis. Host Marco Werman spoke with Shehadeh at his office in Jaffa about the current situation in Gaza and what it means for the future of both sides in this war.

Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones toward Israel Saturday night in a barrage that might prove a turning point in regional hostilities. Israel and its allies intercepted almost all of the missiles and drones, after Iran announced the attack in advance. The World's team in Jerusalem recorded these sounds before running down into a shelter on Saturday night. They then made their way to Amman, Jordan, where Marco Werman and Matthew Bell filed this dispatch.

We look at how Iran's attack on Israel is seen inside Iran.

The musical instrument called the kora has been played almost exclusively by men since the 13th century, strictly passed down as a family tradition in West Africa. But one musician has changed everything: Sona Jobarteh, the first woman from a Griot family to become a professional kora player. GBH reporter Jeremy Seigel recently spoke with Jobarteh.

Two mass stabbings in Sydney over the weekend has many Australians reeling. The World's Sarah Birnbaum reports on Saturday's attack that took place at a popular shopping center that left six people dead.

Joleen Mitton is a former model in Vancouver who has started the city's Indigenous Fashion Week. After a career as a model in Asian, Mitton's influence is spreading in the fashion world in other parts of North America. Sonia Narang has this profile of Mitton from Vancouver.

Israel is weighing how to respond after Iran's unprecedented assault that included more than 300 drones and missiles launched against it on Saturday. The Biden administration is urging Israel to proceed with caution, saying it will not join in any retaliatory strikes. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with Ian Bremmer, president and founder of the Eurasia Group.

In uncertain times, a regular dose of laughter goes a long way. Reporter Alexa Dvorson went to Berlin, Germany, to see for herself.

Ten years ago, hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls were abducted and spirited away by the militant group called Boko Haram. Some of the young women managed to escape. Nigerian soldiers rescued others. Today, more than 90 remain missing. Some have died; others are still being held. Journalist Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani tells The World's Carolyn Beeler why some of those who were kidnapped remain married to those who captured them.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk is instituting a series of reforms, with education being one of his targets. Under the new rules, teachers don't have to give homework to children in the first to third grades. It's optional until grade nine.

Humans and monkeys once peacefully coexisted in Lopburi, a mid-sized city in Thailand, but no more. Its downtown is overrun with more than 2,000 long-tailed macaques, snatching food and belongings from passersby. Wildlife authorities say the monkeys expanded turf during lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic with the alpha males now acting like gang leaders. The World's Patrick Winn reports that they are proving difficult to dislodge.

One year after a vicious war broke out in Sudan, the conflict has killed nearly 16,000 people, displaced millions and pushed the country to the brink of famine. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with U-S Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello about efforts to get more aid into the country, and bring the warring factions to the negotiating table.