Yahritza Martinez and her two guitar-playing brothers make up the trio Yahritza Y Su Esencia.

Mexican American teen star sings on after heated controversy with Mexican audiences

Yahritza Martinez, 16, went from apple picking in rural Washington, to becoming a TikTok sensation and chart-topping musician. But her career nearly came to a halt after her comments about Mexico went viral. Despite the controversy, Martinez played at a major Mexican Independence Day concert in Mexico City — but some fans were not yet ready to embrace her.

Mexican American teen star sings on after heated controversy with Mexican audiences
Montserrat Abbey’s mixed Escoliana choir has young women and men. They’ll sing the liturgy one weekend a month, so that the regular all-boys choir can have some time off with family.

Spain all-boys choir finds a new tune and admits girls

Spain all-boys choir finds a new tune and admits girls
people on train

Reparations for Japanese Canadians imprisoned during World War II viewed by many as too little, too late

Reparations for Japanese Canadians imprisoned during World War II viewed by many as too little, too late
Seafood Congee, as presented in the Taiwanese cookbook Made in Taiwan: Recipes and Stories from the Island Nation.

A new book explores Taiwan's culinary identity

A new book explores Taiwan's culinary identity
People affected by an earthquake camp outside their homes, in Moulay Brahim village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. 

'Organizing chaos': Moroccans in Spain send aid convoys home after devastating earthquake

'Organizing chaos': Moroccans in Spain send aid convoys home after devastating earthquake
beach

Why corals in American Samoa are thriving despite warmer oceans 

Despite prevailing narratives of coral bleaching and decline, the reefs of American Samoa have been particularly resilient to warming temperatures that have laid waste to other corals. Scientists there are finding out why, and looking for ways to use this knowledge to help reefs in other parts of the world.

Why corals in American Samoa are thriving despite warmer oceans 
During a recent morning mass, Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church, in Lviv, Ukraine, is packed.

Ukrainian Greek Catholics lament lack of support by Vatican amid war with Russia

Pope Francis recently praised Russian historical figures in a speech to Russian youth. To members of Ukraine’s Greek Catholic community, these comments were deemed "painful" amid the ongoing war with Russia, and put a spotlight on their needs and concerns.

Ukrainian Greek Catholics lament lack of support by Vatican amid war with Russia
Traveling monks work on a sand mandala at Lake Street Church in Evanston, Illinois.

Tibetan monks on tour in US as China continues to restrict religion in Tibet

A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks, living in exile in India, are doing a “sacred arts tour” this month in the US. They’re demonstrating an ancient artistic and spiritual practice, creating big, colorful sand mandalas. They say Buddhist traditions like this are under threat because of Chinese government policies in their historic homeland of Tibet.

Tibetan monks on tour in US as China continues to restrict religion in Tibet
Wind turbines turn behind a solar farm in Rapshagen, Germany, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. 

War in Ukraine spurs 'rapid deployment' for renewables, energy chief says

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sent energy costs surging, European leaders scrambling for alternative suppliers of gas, and redirected flows of Russian oil toward Asia. Some European countries also burned more coal in response to the energy shock. But the most transformational long-term change will be in increased investments in renewable energy, according to International Energy Agency chief energy economist Tim Gould.

War in Ukraine spurs 'rapid deployment' for renewables, energy chief says
oil and gas platform surrounded by water

Norway becomes top gas supplier to Europe after Russia invasion

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine upended energy markets and sent prices through the roof. As Europe weaned itself off of Russian fuels, it turned to Norway. The country is now the largest exporter of natural gas to Europe.

Norway becomes top gas supplier to Europe after Russia invasion
people in a line

Dominican Republic closes border with Haiti over water rights dispute

​​​​​​​Tensions have escalated between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The neighboring countries are now in a serious dispute over water rights. The Dominican government sealed the border and stopped issuing visas to all Haitian citizens until the dispute is resolved. 

Dominican Republic closes border with Haiti over water rights dispute
Yemeni vendors display various types of dry goods at a traditional market as food prices rise, in Sanaa, Yemen, Oct. 1, 2022.

Yemenis say their country is about more than war and humanitarian aid

Since the Yemen war began in 2014, Western journalists have been telling the world about the fighting, the human toll and the geopolitical underpinnings of the conflict. Many reports, even today, contain no Yemeni perspective. A new project is inviting Yemenis from across the country and in the diaspora to talk about their own experiences of war and daily lives. Host Marco Werman speaks with Nuha Al-Junaid, the Yemeni woman coordinating The Yemen Listening Project.

Yemenis say their country is about more than war and humanitarian aid
college protestors with signs and banners

West Virginia University votes to ax foreign language degrees

Faculty and students who are opposed argue that the move puts the state's flagship university at risk of offering a subpar education, especially in terms of producing graduates who can compete in the international workforce.

West Virginia University votes to ax foreign language degrees
man at podium

Coalition of small island states makes a case that greenhouse gas emissions are covered by UN Law of the Sea

​​​​​​​In Hamburg, Germany, an international tribunal makes rulings on the UN’s Law of the Sea, which deals with marine territorial rights and navigation, and requires states to prevent and control marine pollution. This week, a coalition of small island states is asking the court to rule on an unusual case: that greenhouse gas pollution is covered under this law of the sea. 

Coalition of small island states makes a case that greenhouse gas emissions are covered by UN Law of the Sea
shack

Formerly homeless American in Barcelona helps others get off the streets

​​​​​​​Some years back, an American in Spain became homeless after a string of bad luck. Now, he’s helping others who’ve hit a similar rough spot. Especially other foreigners with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Formerly homeless American in Barcelona helps others get off the streets