The World

A day after Russia carried out new airstrikes in Ukraine, which damaged power grids and water systems in the capital, we hear a story about a mother and her children returning home, and a crew of electrical maintenance workers trying to bring power back to Kyiv. And, Belgium is embroiled in a huge controversy after it recently emerged that a 23-year-old survivor of the 2016 Brussels airport bombing had chosen to end her life this May under the country's euthanasia law. Also, a number of videos on social media in recent days have shown hundreds of migrant Chinese laborers in Tibet protesting and clashing with police. After three months of lockdown, they are demanding that they be allowed to go home, and have reportedly gotten their wish. Plus, the Brazilian samba-funk sounds of Rogê goes on the road.

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Lula is back. The leftist former president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has won reelection in Brazil. Plus, more than 150 people died in a crowd crush during a Halloween celebration in South Korea’s capital over the weekend. Also, this week will mark two years since a civil war broke out in Ethiopia. Despite peace talks, the fighting hasn’t let up. And, hear about haunted hill stations of the Himalayas.

Elon Musk has purchased Twitter. In Europe, leaders are warning: “The bird will fly by our rules.” We take a look at the worldwide ramifications of the “Musk-effect” on social media. Plus, the globe is approaching peak demand for fossil fuels. And, we look into how an organization used religious fervor to amass wealth and power in Japan.

Ukrainian forces have been trying to push the Russians out of the annexed Kherson region, but Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russian forces are strengthening their position, and that he expects an increase in heavy battles. And, the Shah-e-Cheragh holy shrine in southern Iran has been attacked by gunmen. At least 15 people died and dozens more were injured. ISIS is claiming responsibility for the deadly attack in the city of Shiraz. Also, Mexico's president is expected to sign a bill into law that eliminates daylight saving time there. The law would mean Mexico will turn its clock back one last time this Sunday morning. Plus, we hear from Madagascar’s The Dizzy Brains, a band that sings about the corruption, poverty and violence overwhelming the island nation.

Countries around the world are failing to live up to commitments to fight climate change. A lack of drastic action means more warming, and with it, more fires, floods and devastation. But only 13% of countries that made climate commitments at last year's climate conference have followed through, according to a new UN report. And, Vladimir Kara-Murza, one of the most well-known opposition politicians in Russia, is in prison. He is awaiting his day in court after being accused of “high treason.” He’s among hundreds of documented political prisoners currently behind bars in Russia. Also, Israel is under a week away from holding its fifth parliamentary elections in two years. Security and cost of living are the two top concerns for Israeli voters. Plus, a new criminal organization controls the destiny of migrants from Venezuela to Chile.

Rishi Sunak met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace this morning, making his appointment as Britain's new prime minister official. Sunak will be the fifth leader of the United Kingdom in the last six years. And, American basketball star Brittney Griner remains in a Russian prison. This morning in Moscow, a court rejected her appeal of a 9-year prison sentence for drug possession. Also, Israel conducted a raid against an armed Palestinian group in the occupied West Bank. The raid left five Palestinians dead in the old city of Nablus. Plus, Belarusian opera star Ilya Silchukov starts his life over in the United States.

Former UK Treasury Chief Rishi Sunak is set to become Britain’s new prime minister, after being chosen on Monday to lead the governing Conservative Party. He will try to shore up a reeling economy that’s sliding toward recession. And, top Ukrainian officials today rejected Russian allegations that Kyiv is preparing to use a so-called “dirty bomb,” a conventional explosive laced with radioactive material, on its own territory. Also, delegations from the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan forces are set to meet in South Africa for peace talks. Plus, the co-founder of the Red Bull energy drink dies. The drink was first made popular in Thailand as a stimulant for sleepy truck drivers.

Production of Colombia’s coca crop is up by nearly 50%, according to the United Nations. Colombia is the leading source of coca globally and its new government is trying to figure out how to regulate the industry. And, Pakistan’s Election Commission announced on Friday that the country’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan will be banned from holding political office for the next five years. The commission says that Khan illegally accepted and sold off gifts from foreign dignitaries. Also, Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, has banned motorcycle taxis — known as okadas — that are used to navigate heavy traffic. We hear about the cultural significance of okadas and why Nigerians so heavily depend on them. Plus, couples around the world zoom into Utah for weddings.

Just 44 days into the job, Liz Truss announced today that she is stepping down as the UK’s leader. Her resignation follows weeks of chaos in the UK markets. A new prime minister is expected to be elected into office within a week. And, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that 30% of Ukraine's power stations have been hit by Russian airstrikes. Ukraine is now restricting its electricity supplies as the country prepares for a long winter. Also, the US Inflation Reduction Act is raising alarms in the European Union. German and French officials warned on Wednesday that US policies offering subsidies to benefit the American electric vehicle industry would lead the two economic powerhouses into direct competition. Plus, the acclaimed novel, “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida,” by Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka, has clinched the 2022 Booker Prize.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared martial law in four regions of Ukraine that were annexed last month by Moscow. The move also gives additional emergency powers to officials in eight Russian regions adjoining Ukraine. And, underprivileged schools in Uganda, Chile, the Philippines, and Scotland have won a competition for world's best schools, run by T4 Education digital platform which also awarded the schools with large cash prizes. Also, it’s been more than a month since protests have rocked Iran, sparked by the death of a young woman allegedly over how she wore her hijab. We hear from three women protesters from different generations in Tehran. Plus, a “plain language” bill passes in New Zealand.