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.

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.