The World

A program that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter.

people outside

Investigation begins into India’s deadly train crash

​​​​​​​On Sunday, rescue workers pulled the last survivor from the devastating crash in eastern Odisha state that has left at least 275 dead and more than a thousand injured. Relatives are now on the scene trying to locate loved ones and train services on the line have resumed. Investigators are pinpointing what caused one of the deadliest crashes in India's history. 

Investigation begins into India’s deadly train crash
Ayyad Mohmmed Ali works on his farm where he grows date palm trees and vegetables, Iraq.

This startup is fighting to keep Iraq’s palm trees alive

This startup is fighting to keep Iraq’s palm trees alive
Black and white illustration of a boat on rocky waters

A boat carrying 180 Rohingya refugees vanished. A frantic phone call helped untangle the mystery.

A boat carrying 180 Rohingya refugees vanished. A frantic phone call helped untangle the mystery.
man with guitar

This blues musician fled Russia for Serbia. But he sounds like he came straight from the Mississippi Delta.

This blues musician fled Russia for Serbia. But he sounds like he came straight from the Mississippi Delta.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (15) shoots over Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Denver. 

Nikola Jokić takes center stage at NBA Finals and Serbian fans are loving it

Nikola Jokić takes center stage at NBA Finals and Serbian fans are loving it
land

Brazilian Congress moves to limit Indigenous land claims 

​​​​​​​A bill making its way through the Legislature in Brazil could limit Indigenous land claims in the country, and potentially call into question large swaths of land already demarcated for Indian reservations.

Brazilian Congress moves to limit Indigenous land claims 
Ariya Tok poses with her fellow graduates after they received their certificates at a Cambodian cultural graduation ceremony at Cal State Long Beach.

Cambodian American graduates: More than victims of genocide

Ariya Tok is one of nearly two dozen Cambodian American graduates who took part in the Cal State Long Beach cultural ceremony, an event with special significance to the Cambodian Americans living in an area that has the largest such population in the United States.

Cambodian American graduates: More than victims of genocide
Tattoo artists tattooing their clients.

Ukrainians embrace tattoos as a form of patriotism

In many ways, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has become a war of identity and self-expression. Many Ukranians are turning to tattoos to show their patriotism.

Ukrainians embrace tattoos as a form of patriotism
bedroom

Arrest of online influencer Andrew Tate puts Romania’s webcam industry in the spotlight

Webcam studio owners say the business is legal. Anti-sex-trafficking groups say the Andrew Tate case tells a different story.

Arrest of online influencer Andrew Tate puts Romania’s webcam industry in the spotlight
Bollywood actresses from left, Siddhi Idnani, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, Adah Sharma and producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah during a press conference for the movie "The Kerala Story" in Mumbai, India, May 17, 2023.

Is the fictional film 'The Kerala Story' cautionary or propaganda?

“The Kerala Story” is a fictionalized film that has sparked debate in India. It's about Hindu women being tricked into joining ISIS. The filmmakers say they are uncovering a hidden truth, while others say the film is exaggerated and divisive.

Is the fictional film 'The Kerala Story' cautionary or propaganda?
man tattooing woman

This Jerusalem tattoo studio is part of a centuries-old Christian tradition 

The Razzouk family in the Old City of Jerusalem has been doing Christian-themed tattoos going back to the 1300s. Today, tattoo artist Wassim Razzouk and his sons carry on a Coptic Christian tradition of tattoo artistry, attracting people who come from all over the world to the family shop to get inked.

This Jerusalem tattoo studio is part of a centuries-old Christian tradition 
man outside

Ukrainian rock band Vopli Vidopliassova and fans rediscover an old hit 

​​​​​​​In 1989, the Ukrainian punk rock band Vopli Vidopliassova released an album called “Tantsi” or “Dances.” In 2019, the original session tape was rediscovered, and in 2023, Tantsi was finally officially released.

Ukrainian rock band Vopli Vidopliassova and fans rediscover an old hit 
Ilona Kravchenko and Jan Vana perform in “Giselle” with the Ukrainian Classical Ballet in Bucharest, Romania.

The long fight for arts and culture in Ukraine as war rages on

When Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022, the pursuits of many of Ukraine's leading artists and cultural institutions came to a halt. The World takes a look back at the myriad ways in which war impacted artistic and cultural expression in Ukraine, and how advocates continue to work tirelessly to keep making art against all odds.

The long fight for arts and culture in Ukraine as war rages on
women with signs

After Taliban ban, women NGO workers in Afghanistan struggle to make ends meet

​​​​​​​Last December, in yet another blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban announced a ban on women working for nongovernmental organizations. Thousands of women lost their jobs overnight. The months since have been some of the most difficult for them.

After Taliban ban, women NGO workers in Afghanistan struggle to make ends meet
Leonardo de Carvalho Leal and Mayara Stelle administer the Twitter account Sleeping Giants Brazil, a platform for activism whose stated mission is to attack the financing of hate speech and dissemination of fake news, Dec. 11, 2020.

Will Brazil’s ‘Fake News Bill’ regulate disinformation or stifle free speech?

Brazil ranks third in the world for the most social media usage, following India and Indonesia. Now, a controversial, 3-year-old bill is weaving its way through Congress. It could regulate social media platforms in the same way as TV and radio. The “Fake News Bill” has staunch supporters, but some also accuse it of being a form of censorship.

Will Brazil’s ‘Fake News Bill’ regulate disinformation or stifle free speech?