The World

Figuring out how to keep electric vehicles powered up remains a major challenge. Other nations have already traveled down this path of trial and error — a road we're following. Also, the delta variant of the coronavirus is everywhere. Because of that, global leaders are reassessing mask guidance, mandates and vaccine requirements. And, the Philippines is reversing its decision to void a long-term defense pact with the US. It's a big win for the Biden administration, as the pact is seen as important to help keep China at bay.

At this point during the pandemic, should people wear masks in public? After saying no in May, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its stance and the reversal actually falls in line with much of the rest of the world. Also, since the 2019 revolution in Sudan, laws that restricted women’s dress and behavior have been abolished. But for many women, those political changes are not enough. And we hear from Roman Dobrokhotov, the editor-in-chief of Russian news publication The Insider, who was arrested Wednesday as part of the Kremlin’s crackdowns on individual journalists.

Wildfires in Siberia are burning intensely and carbon emissions are near an all-time high from Russian fires. We look at what's causing the blazes and how they compare to fires raging across North America. Also, a Myanmar swimmer has surrendered his Olympic dreams and a shot at his nation's first Olympic medal, all to protest the country's military. And, Cubans and Haitians have emigrated to the US on a large scale for decades. With recent unrest in those two nations, we take a look at immigration policies toward them.

The island nation of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean is suffering through its worst drought in four decades. Also, the Kremlin doubles down on its suppression of all-things associated with Alexei Navalny. The opposition politician is already in jail after surviving a poisoning attempt. This week, Moscow blocked nearly 50 websites connected to Navalny. Plus, mermaid classes have become extremely popular in China.

Tunisian President Kais Saied fired the country's prime minister and suspended its parliament. Tunisia's main opposition party, Ennahda, called the move a "coup.” And Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and US President Joe Biden will sign an agreement on Monday to officially end US military combat missions in Iraq by the end of 2021. Also, more than half of Australia's population is under lockdown again. Single people are asking for a “singles’ bubble.” And we hear from 24-year-old Mohammed Rezuwan, a Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh who spent the past year recording and translating Rohingya folktales.

China's President Xi Jinping has made a surprise visit this week to the contested, autonomous region of Tibet. And, in the tumultuous days since the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, some members of the Haitian diaspora are looking to play a role in shaping Haiti's future. Also, since US President Joe Biden announced the unconditional withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, the Taliban has continued to take over district after district. How much longer can the Afghan security forces hold the group back from taking over major cities like Kabul? And, on the 10th anniversary of the death of Amy Winehouse, host Marco Werman reflects on the British soul singer’s myriad talents.

On Aug. 9, Canada will reopen its land border to Americans who have been fully vaccinated. But Mexico isn't ready to lift its restrictions on nonessential travelers and neither is the US. And, Americans love ice cream, but in the past five years, the popularity of frozen treats in China has exploded. The country now has the largest ice cream market in the world. Also, while billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson have gotten lots of attention for their recent forays into space, there's another space race heating up — in Africa. And, we hear from fencer Aida Mohamed of Hungary, as she takes part in her 7th Olympic Games.

COVID-19 is tearing through Indonesia, where the total case count is nearing 3 million and the infection rates have skyrocketed since mid-May. And today, UNESCO announced it is revoking Liverpool’s World Heritage status, over concerns about the city's waterfront redevelopment plans. Also, a rocket attack in Kabul, near the presidential palace, is yet another reminder of the worsening security situation in Afghanistan, with most US troops having already left. And, Seattle-based artist Dakota Camacho has roots in Guam. By researching the island's history, Camacho developed a unique hip-hop style.

Following the assassination of Haiti’s president, it remained unclear who would take charge. On Tuesday, Haitian officials announced that interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph is stepping down and making way for Ariel Henry. Last year, many facilities run by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement became COVID-19 hot spots. Now, infections at these facilities are rising again. Also, for decades under the dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s school curriculum was infused with Islamist ideology. The new government in Sudan set out to change that. And, with surfing making its debut at the Tokyo Olympic Games, some in Hawaii are working to highlight its roots.

From blistering heat waves to massive flooding, recent extreme weather has some climate scientists surprised. Are climate models keeping up with the rapid pace of change? And, the US and its allies formally blame China for the hacking of a Microsoft Exchange email server that affected tens of thousands of computers in March. Also, Sudan was a self-described Islamic state under dictator Omar al-Bashir. After he was overthrown in 2019, Sudan’s government now says it will institute a separation between religion and state. And, more than 1,700 Iraqis have migrated to Lithuania via Belarus in recent weeks.