The World: Latest Stories

The 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin was kidnapped on the morning of Oct. 7. On Wednesday, Hamas released a video with the young man speaking to the camera. It's not clear when it was shot, but Goldberg-Polin says he's been held "nearly 200 days."

A new study conducted in a Ugandan forest has established a link between deforestation and viral disease transmission. Animals living in that forest lost a source of food and were forced to eat virus-laden bat feces instead. Among the viruses found in the feces, known as "guano" is a relative of COVID-19. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Pawel Fedurek, lead researcher in the study, about how this research could shed light on how new viruses can spread from animals to humans.

One of the side effects of Israel's war in Gaza has been an increase in violence in the West Bank. The Israeli army has been raiding Palestinian villages, going after what they call "suspected terrorists." And Jewish settlers have been harassing Palestinians living nearby. There have been many innocent people caught in the crossfire, including the eldest son of a family in the village of Burin. Host Marco Werman visits the family at their home to hear their story.

Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese people, mostly women and children, have fled the region of western Darfur seeking safety across the border in eastern Chad. Host Marco Werman speaks with reporter Neha Wadekar who has been visiting a refugee camp in eastern Chad. Note: The interview details violence against civilians.

The European Commission (EC) says the new TikTok Lite app is as toxic as cigarettes." It's a spin-off of the original TikTok and it pays people to watch videos. The EC says it was launched without regard for risks of addiction, or safeguards against children using it. Now they're threatening to suspend it. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

Britain's Parliament has passed contentious legislation aimed at deterring asylum seekers from heading to the UK. People arriving via small boats or any other irregular means" will be deported to Rwanda where their asylum cases will be heard. Joelle Grogan, of the think tank UK in a Changing Europe, describes the plan and its likely consequences to The World's host Carolyn Beeler.

A new report by the Swiss investigative organization Public Eye is taking aim at food giant Nestle. It says that several popular Nestle products sold in lower-income countries contain added sugar, often at high levels, and that the same products, when sold in Switzerland, contain no sugar. Marco Werman speaks with Manuel Abebe, co-author of the report by Public Eye.

At the annual European gull screeching championships in Belgium, 9-year-old Cooper Wallace won the juniors competition. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler explain how the costumed kid stole the show.

France won the bid to host this summer's Olympic Games, partly on a promise to rejuvenate one of the country's most impoverished areas. Seine-Saint-Denis, is a densely populated working-class department north of Paris, that records some of the country's highest unemployment rates. In July, the region will house more than 14,000 athletes and will host some of the top Olympic events. Not all its residents are convinced the Games will change the area for the better though, as The World's Europe correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Over the weekend, the US House of Representatives passed a measure to ban the social media app TikTok in the US, unless its parent company ByteDance sells its ownership stake. Meanwhile, European Union regulators are looking at a new app from the company called TikTok Lite, which they say defies EU rules on social media technology. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more.

Washington DC once had a thriving Chinatown that was home to thousands of Chinese people. Today, gentrification has pushed most Asians out to the suburbs. There's not even a full-sized Chinese grocery store. WAMU reporter Amanda Michelle Gomez rides along with Chinatown residents as they take a shopping trip out to Virginia.

A new report from the World Meteorological Organization and the Copernicus climate research group says Europe is warming at a faster rate than the rest of the globe, with 2023 being the hottest year on record for the continent. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Julien Nicolas, a senior scientist with Copernicus, about why Europe is warming faster than other continents and what it means for human health there.

Since the Hamas attack in Israel on Oct. 7, Germany has struggled to balance democratic rights and freedom of speech enshrined in its constitution. Last weekend, those tensions came to a head in Berlin, as police shut down a conference about Palestine being organized by Arab, Jewish and German organizations. German officials say they are acting on their historic responsibility to protect Israel and Jewish people, activists say the lesson Germany should be taking from its history is the importance of allowing political dissent.

On Monday, the European Space Agency welcomed five new astronauts to its astronaut corps, forming only the fourth class since 1978. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn have more details.

Aharon Haliva, the head of military intelligence for Israel, says that his directorate failed to alert the military and nation in time to prevent Hamas's attack on Oct. 7. He is the first senior official to resign in response to the failure. The World's host Marco Werman talks with Yossi Melman, a longtime Israeli intelligence reporter for Haaretz, about Haliva's resignation and what it means.

Since 2020, avian flu has been tearing through bird populations across the globe - even being detected in Antarctica's penguins. This month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported what might be the first documented case of the virus being transmitted from a mammal to a human - from a cow to a person working on a dairy farm in Texas. The World's host Carolyn Beeler spoke to Massimo Palmarini, the director of the Center for Virus Research at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, UK.

The intersection of billionaires and politics is the topic of a new play, "Patriots," by Peter Morgan, the writer of "The Crown." Like that Netflix series, the play is based on real characters. "Patriots" is not about the US; it's about Russia in the 1990s, when an oligarch backs a little-known deputy mayor named Vladimir Putin in national politics and gets more than he bargained for. Jeff Lunden reports from New York.

The US House of Representatives passed another spending package worth $61 billion for Ukraine over the weekend. The World's Daniel Ofman speaks with host Carolyn Beeler from Riga, Latvia, about what that money will go toward, and how people are reacting in Ukraine and Russia.

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.