Politics
US brokers peace deal between DRC and Rwanda
Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a peace deal brokered by the Trump administration. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Michelle Gavin, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a former US ambassador to Botswana, about what the agreement means.
Security concerns to decide Ecuador’s presidential election this weekend
Ecuadorians head to the polls this Sunday, in one of the most hotly contested elections in decades. Thirty-seven-year-old President Daniel Noboa, the son of a banana tycoon, is facing off against former National Assembly member and leftist Luisa González. Security is the top issue on the table, as both candidates promise to tackle the rising narco-gang violence that has given Ecuador one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America. Michael Fox has the story from the capital, Quito.
Gangs seize roads leading to Haiti’s capital as police continue to lose control
Gangs have taken over roads leading into and out of the Haitian capital as police and a Kenyan-led multinational force struggle to maintain control. The World’s host, Marco Werman, speaks with Widlore Mérancourt of AyiboPost about the latest.
Kremlin’s internet crackdown is taking on YouTube
In Russia, the Kremlin has been steadily cracking down on the internet. Surveillance and censorship have increased, especially since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has cut off access to many of the most popular websites and apps. The latest target is YouTube.
‘What’s the greatest knowledge a person can have? Know thyself’: Morgan State University hosts banned book symposium in Cuba
The history of book bans in the US goes back to 1637 but has recently increased dramatically, nearly 200% during the 2023-24 school year. This rise is driven by conservative policies claiming many books have themes that go “against” American history. But are these books really problematic? The World’s Lex Weaver shares her experience attending a banned book symposium hosted by Morgan State University in Havana, Cuba, where authors and historians discussed their worries about the future of education.
North Korean troops are suffering heavy casualties in Russia
North Korea’s decision to deploy troops to the Kursk region of Russia was seen as an escalation of the conflict. It was said that the North Korean leader hoped his forces would return home battle-tested and ready to fight for the homeland. US officials say Russia has deployed some 8,000 North Koreans in the region, the border area where Ukrainian forces seized Russian territory in a surprise attack over the summer. But as The World’s Daniel Ofman tells us, far fewer troops may return home than Pyongyang expected.