The World

As the US-Africa Leaders Summit opens in Washington, DC, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield talks about the challenges that US officials face in trying to deepen ties with African nations, while countering the expanding roles of Beijing and Moscow across the continent. And, this month, the Udi people are celebrating 100 years since they established a home in the Republic of Georgia. Their unique culture is seeing a revival in interest, although the language is in danger of dying out. Also, South African lawmakers voted against accepting a committee report that would have led to impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The report said that the president held undeclared foreign currency at his farm in 2020. Plus, today, the oldest member of the K-pop supergroup BTS became the first of the bandmates to enter military boot camp.

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The man alleged to have transported the bomb that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988 that killed 270 people, is now in US custody. And, Canadian hospitals are struggling to cope with a recent surge in respiratory viruses, with children’s hospitals being especially hard-hit. Also, nurses in Northern Ireland walked off the job today, with more strikes planned in the UK throughout the rest of the month. Plus, a pair of dogs that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gave South Korean president Moon Jae-in four years ago are now at a zoo in South Korea after a dispute over who should pay to care for them.

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The UK, Japan and Italy are partnering together to build a sixth-generation fighter jet, set to be ready by 2035 and complete with the latest weapons. And, the Nobel Banquet for the awards ceremony is back in person this weekend for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Also, the vaccine alliance Gavi plans to stop distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to middle income countries. Plus, Congress has passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which will prohibit Americans from keeping tigers, lions and other big cats as pets.

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Russia has freed WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap. In exchange, the US released convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. And, the Iranian government has executed protester Mohsen Shekariput. State media said he was sentenced to death for “waging war against God” and attacking Iranian guards during a protest in September. Also, the US is plotting to return to the massive Subic Bay Naval Base and the Philippines, its current owner, is keen to let the US return. Plus, Russia and Ukraine battle over Crimea’s soccer prowess.

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German police conducted raids all across the country on Wednesday, making arrests, and attempting to dismantle a plot aimed at overthrowing the government. And, 50 years ago, the Apollo 17 Saturn V moon rocket crew took what would become one of the most iconic images from space: a photo of planet Earth — “the blue marble.” Former astronaut Mae Jemison reflects on it. Also, Peru's Congress has vowed to impeach President Pedro Castillo just hours after he announced he would dissolve the body. Plus, Taiwanese citizens react to the tumultuous protests in China over the strict “zero-COVID” policy that led to extensive lockdowns. 

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For the second straight day, Ukrainian missiles are landing deep inside Russia. It's a sign that Kyiv is willing to risk widening the war that has raged since February. And, officials in Democratic Republic of Congo say 270 people have been killed in a massacre in the eastern parts of the country. They blame the armed group M23, which they say is being backed by Rwanda. Also, Indonesia's parliament has overhauled the nation's criminal code, replacing colonial-era laws. The new code introduces repressive measures including criminalizing extramarital sex outside of marriage. Plus, Morocco fans react to FIFA victory against Spain. 

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Recent protests against China's strict zero-COVID policy took a lot of people by surprise. But they might have worked. The Chinese government is now taking steps to ease the rules around the pandemic lockdowns that sparked so much public frustration. And, Sudan's military government has come to an agreement with the main pro-democracy group to ease the country back into civilian-led rule. Also, the construction of 133 new radio telescopes in South Africa has begun. They are part of a project called Square Kilometer Array, which seeks to observe outer space phenomena in greater detail and in greater breadth. Plus, a new drought-resistant wheat strain has been developed. 

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Britain's Prince William and Princess Catherine are in Boston on Friday to present his second annual Earthshot prize, awarded to innovators around the world working to save nature and combat global warming. And, the Syrian Democratic Forces, a majority Kurdish armed group, has announced it has ended cooperation with the US military in Syria. The announcement comes after the group said it would cease fighting ISIS following threats of a Turkish invasion in the region under their control. Also, amid a crackdown on dissent, Chinese authorities have trained their sights on banning Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, used to break past censorship. Plus, the classic Christmas song, “Carol of the Bells,” originated in Ukraine 100 years ago.

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa faces a threat of impeachment following a report that found evidence that he had violated the country's constitution, in part, by covering up the theft of millions of dollars in cash hidden in a sofa on his farm in 2020. And, after a vote in March agreeing to build a treaty that would essentially “eliminate all plastic waste,” negotiations via the United Nations have started this week in Uruguay in hopes of adopting a treaty before a set 2024 deadline. Also, Quebec Premier Francois Legault said on Wednesday that his first duty is reversing the decline of French in Quebec. He set a new goal requiring all economic migrants to Canada speak French for full acceptance. Plus, a map that shows fans where to legally drink beer before men’s World Cup matches in Qatar.

Our reporting is independent, inclusive and in-depth. Best of all, it’s listener supported. In other words, we wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for you. Will you give today to support the tireless efforts of The World’s reporters and producers?

Researchers are heralding a breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer's: a drug that is the first to slow the destruction of the brain. But it only works in the early stages of Alzheimer's and many people aren't diagnosed until the disease has already advanced. And, one of the more successful mystics in Japan says he’s a reincarnated alien from the planet Venus. He’s now intent on recruiting more believers in the US. Also, the United Nations agency for culture added the French baguette to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Plus, we hear about Chinese leader Jiang Zemin’s economic legacy.

Our reporting is independent, inclusive and in-depth. Best of all, it’s listener supported. In other words, we wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for you. Will you give today to support the tireless efforts of The World’s reporters and producers?