The World

The UN secretary-general sparked controversy on Monday when he called for an international “armed action” in Haiti to reopen a port closed by armed gangs. The US and Canada sent armored vehicles and other supplies to Haiti’s national police this past weekend, but some Haitians are skeptical. And many Central Americans who fled their homes last week during Hurricane Julia are returning and assessing the damage. Severe storms and flooding like this can lead to an increase in migration to the United States. Also, in northeastern Turkey last Friday, 41 people died in a coal mine explosion. Victims’ families and union organizers are calling for greater safety measures, but criticizing the state-run mine can be risky. Plus, Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka wins the Booker Prize.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia's military leadership has been in flux. Most recently, Gen. Sergei Surovikin has been appointed as Russia's new commander charged with leading its war effort in Ukraine. And Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán often aims criticism toward philanthropist George Soros, who is Jewish. This constant demonization of Soros, along with comments about Christianity being under threat, is making some within the Jewish community there deeply uncomfortable. Also, the driest nonpolar place on earth, the Atacama Desert, is currently covered with carpets of colorful blossoms. This natural spectacle only happens once or twice every 10 years, prompting the Chilean government to declare this region as a national park earlier this month. Plus, Khruangbin, a psychedelic rock band from Texas, teams up with Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Toure.

Britain's new prime minister is fighting for her political survival. Liz Truss has been at 10 Downing Street for just six weeks, but she's already made U-turns on some of her big economic policies. And, the coalition that has governed Catalonia's semi-autonomous government for years fractured this week. Political infighting has plagued the Catalan independence camp ever since the movement became mainstream over a decade ago. Also, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has complicated Latvia’s relationship with its own ethnic Russian population, who account for a quarter of the country’s 2 million citizens. They’ve assimilated over time but now many of them sense that they’re being marginalized. Plus, a rare anti-government protest in Beijing on Thursday sparks online activism.

NATO's defense ministers have agreed to supply Ukraine with weapons amid Russia's invasion of Ukrainian territory, following a two-day meeting in Brussels. Also, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said this week that Russia has been deploying Iranian-made drones into his country, targeting civilian areas. The relatively small drones can fly at low altitudes, evading Ukrainian radars. And, next month will mark two years since the start of the conflict in Tigray, a northern region of Ethiopia. After the breakdown of five months of peace talks, the war is now escalating once again. Plus, Serbian scientists name a beetle after tennis star Novak Djokovic.

Saudi Arabia's relations with the US are souring after OPEC+ announced it would cut oil production. President Joe Biden said there would be consequences in response to the decision, which is seen as benefiting Russia. And, as much of the globe prepares for another winter, what restrictions remain in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19? Also, Latvia has welcomed desperate Ukrainians who are crossing the border from Russia, most notably young men fearing that they could be drafted. But the country has closed its border to virtually all Russians — even those fleeing conscription. Plus, new lessons are emerging from the Cuban missile crisis.

Latvia is bracing for a brutal winter, outside and inside, as it struggles to heat homes and businesses with less Russian energy. Alternative sources of heat and electricity cannot yet compensate for the deficit, so the government is turning down the temperature in public buildings — and asking ordinary citizens to do the same. And Lebanon and Israel have reached a historic deal via the US to establish their maritime border. The deal allows both countries to explore and extract natural gas from offshore fields and avoid any potential conflict. Also, the state of Texas recently awarded over $307 million to continue building a 14-mile wall across the southern border with Mexico in what is seen as a controversial approach to curb illegal migration. Plus, at a sonic exhibit in Istanbul, visitors feel the echoes of war.

This morning, hundreds of thousands of people across Ukraine woke up to the sound of air raid sirens. Russia’s military sent dozens of long-range missiles and drones across Ukraine, hitting at least 10 cities. Also, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once one of the most powerful men in Russia, became Vladimir Putin's enemy, and has written a book about his experience. Plus, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban portrays himself as the defender of Christianity, not only in Hungary, but across Europe. And, it's "Double Ten Day" in Taiwan, a day that marks an uprising that eventually ended hundreds of years of Chinese imperial rule.

As the Ukrainian military presses on with its successful ground offensive, the Russian military appears to be taking a gamble. Russian troops in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine are advancing and putting themselves at risk of being surrounded by Ukrainian forces. And, this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin promoted Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov to army general. Kadyrov, a long-time ally of Putin, is known for his inflammatory remarks and abysmal human rights record. Also, US President Joe Biden is offering pardons to thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law. In some ways, the US is unique in its approach to cannabis policy. Plus, Haiti requests international assistance to quell the violence there.

Pakistan is entering a second wave of death and destruction from outbreaks of diseases, including malaria, dengue, diarrhea, scabies and other skin diseases, according to the United Nations. Health workers are trying to contain these outbreaks among millions of displaced people. And the US-Saudi relationship took a major hit this week when OPEC+ announced it would significantly cut oil production levels. The move comes amid the energy crisis and would affect gas prices in the US and Europe. Also, just days after a US federal judge dismissed Mexico's first lawsuit against US gun manufacturers, the Mexican government says it intends to file a second lawsuit, this time against gun sellers along the border. Plus, a volunteer group is hosting cleanup raves to help rebuild Ukrainian villages.

The Ebola outbreak rapidly spreading in Uganda has caused at least 29 deaths in the past two weeks. A vaccine hasn’t yet been tested for this strain. Also, Australia has earned the dubious distinction of being the "mammal extinction capital of the world." But now, the Australian government says it's determined to give wildlife a better chance. Plus, the 50th anniversary of Picasso's death next year is raising some difficult questions about the painter's misogyny. And a song that's becoming the anthem of the protests in Iran.