World News

As South Africa's Gold Mining Companies Decline In Production, Illegal Miners Thrive

8:29am October 08, 2016

by Peter Granitz

A recent accident in a gold mine in South Africa has brought attention to the growing practice of illegal mining. The legal mining operations have been on a decades-long decline but illegal miners are thriving.

The Mayaro River in Trinidad. The Mayaro virus was first identified in forest workers on the island.

Why Scientists Are Keeping An Eye On A Little-Known Virus

7:00am October 08, 2016

by Emily Sohn

It's called Mayaro virus. It was first identified in 1954 and has been active near the Amazon. Now it appears to have popped up in Haiti.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers perform a march at an event last month in Vancouver, British Columbia.

World News

'We Failed You': Female Mounties Receive Apology After Decades Of Harassment

8:13pm October 07, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Female officers belonging to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have long claimed harassment, discrimination and abuse. The government has now set aside a multimillion-dollar compensation package.

World News

Colombian President Wins Nobel Peace Prize After Failed Peace Deal

6:44pm October 07, 2016

by John Otis

In a region of southern Colombia that suffered terribly during the 50-year war with leftist guerrillas, people were surprised the nation's president was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His celebrated efforts to end the conflict were rejected by Colombian voters.

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Poland Backs Down On Abortion Ban After Extraordinary Protests

6:44pm October 07, 2016

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with Justyna Pawlak, Reuters bureau chief for central and eastern Europe, about Poland backing down on a total abortion ban after an extraordinary protest. The current law, among the most restrictive in Europe, sees exceptions in cases of fetal anomaly, threat to mother's health and life or pregnancy from rape. This proposal would have completely banned abortion in the country, if not partly for the thousands who took to the streets in "black protests."

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Kerry Says Strikes By Russia, Syria 'Beg For' A War Crimes Investigation

6:02pm October 07, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

"This is a targeted strategy to terrorize civilians and to kill anybody and everybody who is in the way of their military objectives," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.

A Syrian medical worker inspects the damage at the site of a medical facility after it was reportedly hit by Syrian regime barrel bombs on Oct. 1 in Aleppo's rebel-held neighborhood of al-Sakhour. Fewer than 30 doctors remain in the besieged city.

Eastern Aleppo's Only Ophthalmologist Sees Ravages Of Syria's War

5:24pm October 07, 2016

by Renee Montagne

Dr. Abdulkhalek Dabaa, the only remaining ophthalmologist in the besieged Syrian city, attends to about 85 patients a day — who are seeking care for everything from eye infections to shrapnel wounds.

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World News

Ghana Wants To Remove Statue Of Gandhi Over Racism Controversy

4:49pm October 07, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Professors campaigned to have the statue at the University of Ghana removed over Mohandas Gandhi's "racist identity." Now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it wants to move it — for its protection.

World News

Award-Winning Author Recalls Past Experiences With Hurricanes In Native Haiti

4:32pm October 07, 2016

NPR's Audie Cornish interviews Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat about her article in The New Yorker, "Hurricane Matthew's Devastating Toll in Haiti." She's been in touch with friends and family whose homes were destroyed, and she reflects on how she and others will find ways to help and and support them.

U.S. Lifts Economic Sanctions Against Myanmar

3:42pm October 07, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

President Obama issued the executive order on Friday, saying he made the decision in light of political reforms in the Southeast Asian nation.