The World

Many people in Europe think the Moroccan government was involved in the large border crossing in July, when almost 80,000 people entered Ceuta, Spain's North African enclave. Morocco denies this. Also, in Turkey, the prime minister has ordered police to crack down on LGBTQ+ communities in Istanbul, leading to many raids and arrests under obscenity laws to “protect families.” Syria once had one of the biggest bee populations in the Middle East, but only a small number survived the civil war that started in 2011. Now, local farmers are working to bring them back. Plus, an Australian company is producing fire-resistant bras and menstrual briefs.

Canada and the European Union want to strengthen their alliance and broader trade ties. This week, the president of the European Parliament proposed making Canada an "associate member" of the bloc. Also, Mexican authorities are investigating a string of clandestine cryptocurrency mines after discovering more than 1,000 mining machines in a remote part of Puebla, apparently powered with stolen electricity. And, fuel prices are skyrocketing again, prompting protests, rationing and blackouts in several countries. Plus, ahead of the centennial of tenor saxophonist John Coltrane's birth on Sunday, we listen to a modern exponent of his sound.

In Gaza today, rescue teams comb through rubble, searching desperately for survivors after a war-damaged building gave way. The death toll has climbed to at least 21, a Gaza Health Ministry official reports. Also, Israel's prime minister has vowed to introduce a law stripping citizenship from those accused of defaming the nation's army. And, in Nepal, flood survivors with disabilities struggle to find sign language interpreters, transportation, and even basic information. Plus, a Brazilian cellist who performs in conflict zones.

The Kremlin’s history of election meddling is entering a new era, as artificial intelligence arms Russia with sharper, more elusive tools for interference in the US midterm elections. Also, global measles cases have surged by 8% since 2019. And, the Trump administration is tightening the rules for international students, shortening the time they can stay before needing to reapply for a visa or leave the country. Plus, a Singapore university has revealed the world’s second biological data center, where living human neurons and silicon hardware join forces to process information.

In Yemen, the Houthis, a rebel group supported by Iran, have taken more strategic territory along the Red Sea. This now includes islands in the middle of the narrowest part of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key route for over a tenth of global trade. Also, in Germany, police arrested a man last week suspected of planning and carrying out sabotage against the country’s electricity network, apparently to highlight the climate crisis. And, when Beijing and Washington discuss AI safety rules, they often have very different ideas. In the US, the debate focuses on threats to humanity, while China is more concerned about risks to its ruling party. Plus, Senegal is getting ready to host the Youth Olympic Games.

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. We hear from a variety of voices remembering that day and its aftermath. A documentary photographer discusses one of her iconic photos. A former Guantanamo Bay prison detainee who was never charged talks about his experience. We highlight the profiles of victims who died at Ground Zero. Plus, a look at art and music that emerged in the years that followed.

A look at what could have been done better to prevent thousands of flooding deaths in Nepal. Also, a 9/11 widow helps Afghan widows. And, a former employee at the AI company Anthropic has warned on social media that the technology could “kill us all” by 2030, though others dispute the claim. Plus, the organic waste processing method that’s sparked a social movement in Colombia.

A coalition between Spain’s Populist, anti-immigrant Vox party with the center-right Popular Party could move the country closer to the far-right than ever before. Also, with the US military focused on its war with Iran, we look at how prepared Washington is to defend its Pacific allies. And, a delegation from Jamaica asks King Charles to seek guidance on whether Britain is obligated to pay reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. Plus, we take a listen to music that brings together different regions of Morocco.

Flooding is common in Nepal, but the avalanche that triggered water and debris to surge down the Trishuli River was of an entirely different magnitude. We take a look at the causes behind the disaster. Also, a small village in France that’s become a popular place for students to learn about Chinese history. And, an art detective talks about how "smash and grab"-style museum heists have become a growing trend across Europe. Plus, a song about Gaza that’s gone viral for touching on the themes of colonialism and Indigenous people.

As the United States honors its workers this Labor Day, it’s been 250 years since the nation was founded. We look at a defining ideal in the Declaration of Independence promoting “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” that was meant to resonate beyond the US. Also, a conversation about how the US’ current political fault lines have colonial roots. And, a discussion about the role North America's sovereign tribal nations played in the American Revolution, and the impact that it had on Indigenous people around the world. Plus, we commemorate the anniversary by listening to songs that arrived from overseas and became a part of early American history.