The World

Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Solohub has traveled to eastern Ukraine near the front lines in Donetsk this week. He talks about how Ukrainian troops are using new Western weaponry and low-tech homemade drones. And, in Europe, inflation is getting curbed, stocks are up, key sectors are rebounding and the US Congress seems to be on course to raise the debt ceiling and prevent the global markets from meltdown as a result. Will it last? Also, Iraq’s date palms were nearly decimated after decades of war. We hear about one group's efforts to save them. Plus, this blues musician fled Russia for Serbia.

Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Solohub has traveled to eastern Ukraine near the front lines in Donetsk this week. He talks about how Ukrainian troops are using new Western weaponry and low-tech homemade drones. And, in Europe, inflation is getting curbed, stocks are up, key sectors are rebounding and the US Congress seems to be on course to raise the debt ceiling and prevent the global markets from meltdown as a result. Will it last? Also, Iraq’s date palms were nearly decimated after decades of war. We hear about one group's efforts to save them. Plus, this blues musician fled Russia for Serbia.

Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Solohub has traveled to eastern Ukraine near the front lines in Donetsk this week. He talks about how Ukrainian troops are using new Western weaponry and low-tech homemade drones. And, in Europe, inflation is getting curbed, stocks are up, key sectors are rebounding and the US Congress seems to be on course to raise the debt ceiling and prevent the global markets from meltdown as a result. Will it last? Also, Iraq’s date palms were nearly decimated after decades of war. We hear about one group's efforts to save them. Plus, this blues musician fled Russia for Serbia.

The United Nations says more than 1 million people have been displaced by the conflict in Sudan. Despite on and off ceasefires, the fighting between the country's armed forces and paramilitary has shown no signs of ending soon. And, Nigeria has only about 1 doctor for every 5,000 residents. Members of Nigerian Parliament are backing a new bill that will medical graduates to work in the country for five years to limit the medical brain drain. Also, a spacecraft with an all-private astronaut team splashed down off Texas in the Gulf of Mexico late Tuesday. Two of the four astronauts on board are from Saudi Arabia including the first Arab woman to go into orbit. Plus, a the $70 billion deal that could impact the future of cloud gaming.

At least eight military drones appeared over the skies of the Russian capital and its suburbs early Tuesday. Russian Defense Ministry officials say all of the drones were intercepted and damage from falling debris was minimal. And, on Monday, Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu was sworn in as the country’s new president in the capital Abuja. He enters office amid ongoing court disputes against the election results, rising insecurity, and a struggling economy. Also, on the Serbian border with Hungary, 90 minutes from Belgrade, a group of five Russian game developers have found a new home after fleeing Russia under threat of arrest. Plus, in Hong Kong, public censorship of Tiananmen Square is underway.

In parts of northern Ukraine, near the border with Belarus, Russian troops were firmly in control for several weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion started in 2022. The World revisits a story from the Chernihiv region, about how residents there are putting their lives back together, even while the war rages on. We also go back to a school in Romania where Ukrainians are starting over. And, Ukrainians are finding ways to keep living their lives amid war. That includes searching for — and finding — love. School is out for the summer! But we have one more assignment for you. If you are a student or a recent graduate from an American university, we’d like to know why you chose to study in the US. Was it what you hoped for? What do you like, what do you not like? When you graduate will you return home? Record a voice memo with your story. Include your name and location and email the voice memo to myworld@theworld.org. We might feature your story on the program.

Last month, Elon Musk’s satellite internet, Starlink, went live in El Salvador. The government hopes this will revolutionize internet access in the region. But many worry that the cost of the service will keep it out of reach for many people. Also, being a doctor in Ukraine brings great risk. There have been more than 700 attacks on health care facilities since the war there began. And, a tattoo artist in Jerusalem is carrying on a 700-year-old Christian tradition. Plus, Turkish voters head to the polls again. We have a preview of the upcoming runoff presidential election. School is out for the summer! But we have one more assignment for you. If you are a student or a recent graduate from an American university, we’d like to know why you chose to study in the US. Was it what you hoped for? What do you like, what do you not like? When you graduate will you return home? Record a voice memo with your story. Include your name and location and email the voice memo to myworld@theworld.org. We might feature your story on the program.

The latest wave of COVID-19 infections to hit China could see as many as 65 million cases per week by the time the surge peaks at the end of June. It’s being fueled by omicron XBB, a subvariant that’s been found widely in the US. Plus, Greek authorities have made some 200 beaches water accessible to people with disabilities. And the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll," Tina Turner, has died at the age of 83. The iconic musician spent the last few decades of her life in Europe. What prompted that choice?

Tunisia's democracy continues to deteriorate with the arrests of opposition politicians, including the main opposition leader. Now, the children of these politicians are mounting pressure on the government by filing a case against them in the African Court of Justice. Plus, women who once worked for NGOs in Afghanistan speak out against the Taliban's ban. And, the global impact on markets as the US hits its debt ceiling.

The US isn't the only country that's created a "debt ceiling." Denmark has one, too. But Danes don't play politics when it comes to paying their debt. Also, millions of Ukrainians fled their country after Russia's full-scale invasion last year. While many have returned, some can't or won't. We meet Ukrainians who are starting over in France. And, Filipinos have a message for Taylor Swift: "Come back!"

Beijing is not happy. As the G7 meeting in Hiroshima, Japan, wrapped up, the Chinese government is protesting what it sees as the "anti-China" tenor of the summit. Also, the Biden administration says it will support an effort to train Ukrainian pilots learning how to operate F-16 warplanes. Plus, Angelique Kidjo, the musician and activist from Benin, is one of three recipients at this year's Polar Prize for music in Stockholm. She takes her responsibility seriously "for our world to be a better place."

For more than a decade, Greece was seen as the "sick man of Europe." But in the last couple of years, its economy has performed better than many of its EU neighbours. So, the center-right government should be feeling pretty confident heading into a general election this Sunday. But it's not that clear-cut. Also, a shared religious site in Jerusalem is among the most contentious. A worst-cast scenario was avoided last month during overlapping religious holidays. Security is back to normal. But what does "normal" look like? And, China's population is on the decline. A lot of young people don't want to get married and have kids. But Beijing is rolling out a new initiative to try and reverse this trend. Plus, The World concludes its series looking at waste pickers across the globe. Today, it's off to Japan, where garbage picking has been turned into a choreographed performance.

Japan is set to host the G-7 summit in Hiroshima, the site of one of the only two nuclear attacks in history. Also, a comedy group in China is being heavily fined for a viral joke that made light of a Chinese military slogan. And, a longtime ban on dreadlocks at elementary schools in Malawi has been lifted. Plus, we hear the second part of report on how a Sudanese warlord rose to power, while operating with impunity.

The fight for control of Sudan. It's a match between two generals. One's been accused of committing war crimes. He also claims to be one of the richest men in Africa. Also, the arrest of controversial influencer Andrew Tate last December turned a spotlight on Romania's adult webcam industry. And, the megacity of Mumbai, India, generates an astonishing amount of trash. An informal network of recycling scavengers make it livable. A look at Mumbai's chaotic, yet effective, recycling program.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's recent appeal to European leaders has brought in more military aid for the country's defense against Russia. It's an indication that Western officials believe Kyiv’s forces could reclaim significant swaths of territory. Also, in southern Mexico, droughts are getting worse. That's forcing farmers to adjust and adapt. And, with the end of the pandemic-era rule known as Title 42 last week, the rules for seeking asylum at the US border have changed dramatically. They can be confusing. So, just how does the process work? Plus, across Ghana, waste picking is crucial for building a "circular economy" to eliminate waste. It's also a vital survival strategy for many. But it's a dangerous, undervalued job.

When polls opened in Turkey on Sunday, opposition candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu seemed poised to unseat Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has been in power for 20 years. Now, the two are headed to a runoff. And, US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety said the South African government sent arms to Russia in December 2022 aboard a ship under US sanctions. Also, the United Kingdom's schemes to help settle Ukrainian refugees helped house over 170,000 Ukrainians since last year. Now, one of the creators is calling on the UK government to support a similar scheme for Sudan. Plus, the UN marks the 75th anniversary of the "Nakba" for the first time, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians became refugees.

After months of stalemate, Ukraine’s military says it’s gaining ground in the embattled southern city of Bakhmut. We hear from US Ambassador Bridget Brink about the current situation on the ground. And, angry and exhausted, Turkish voters head to the polls on Sunday, as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan faces a robust challenge from six opposition parties who have united behind candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Also, fighting continues for a third day this week between Israel and the Palestinian militant faction, Islamic Jihad, in the Gaza Strip. Plus, celebrating Mother's Day around the globe.

Shelters in cities like Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, are emptying as many of them have decided to surrender to US authorities before Title 42 ends on May 11. Some fear that stricter rules might prevent them from coming after the pandemic-era policy expires. And, the Saudi government began talks to broker a peace deal between leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, which have been fighting for control of Sudan's capital since April 15. Also, across Europe, prosecutors have been nabbing suspects involved in the drug trade for the Italian mafia group, Ndrangheta. Plus, Russian artists in exile create new work — and identities.

As the number of people trying to cross the jungle on their way to the United States increases, transporting migrants and leading them on treks across the rainforest has become the main industry in Capurgana, a small village on the southern edge of the Darien Gap in Colombia. And, the Pentagon announced $1.2 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine this week as the country prepares for a major counteroffensive against Russia. Also, this weekend, 64 million Turkish voters will choose their next leader. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan moved the elections up by a month after facing criticism for his response to devastating earthquakes in February. Plus, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen takes home the coveted Best in Show award at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Migrants from South America, Africa and Asia are crossing the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama at record rates. As the US prepares to lift Title 42 on May 11, many migrants believe their chances of getting into the US will increase. And, early Tuesday morning, the Israeli army targeted senior leaders of the militant group, Islamic Jihad, in an operation it says killed three senior leaders in Gaza. Also, amid ongoing fighting in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, many are still trapped at home, with limited supplies. Neighborhood committees have formed to bring in food and water, and check on people's welfare. Plus, legendary opera singer Grace Bumbry dies at the age of 86.