Accessibility links
World News and International Headlines NPR world news, international art and culture, world business and financial markets, world economy, and global trends in health, science and technology. Subscribe to the World Story of the Day podcast and RSS feed.

NPRWorld

Many Stories, One World

Sunday

Man dressed as the Joker injures 17 people on Tokyo train

Emergency workers and police officers are seen at a train station in Tokyo on Sunday, after a man brandishing a knife on a commuter train stabbed several passengers before starting a fire. Kyodo News via AP hide caption

toggle caption
Kyodo News via AP

Asia

Man dressed as the Joker injures 17 people on Tokyo train

The attacker, identified as a 24-year-old man, was arrested after stabbing several passengers and starting a fire on the commuter train. His motive was not immediately known.

Climate

'We're not where we need to be,' says U.N. climate chief

A global climate summit got underway today in Glasgow, Scotland. It appears unlikely that this conference will produce any dramatic new changes in policy.

'We're not where we need to be,' says U.N. climate chief

Listen · 3:47
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1050980375/1050980376" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Biden says he worries that cutting oil production too fast will hurt working people

President Biden spent three days in Rome talking to world leaders before and during the G-20. He held a formal press conference before heading to the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

The COP26 summit

Biden says he worries that cutting oil production too fast will hurt working people

President Biden said he's worried about soaring energy prices and says the world can't simply cut its use of fossil fuels — even as he heads to Glasgow for the U.N. climate summit.

G-20 leaders commit to reach carbon neutrality, but leave the target date in question

From left, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Premier Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stand at the Trevi Fountain during an event for the G20 summit in Rome, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. Roberto Monaldo/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Roberto Monaldo/AP

Climate

G-20 leaders commit to reach carbon neutrality, but leave the target date in question

A compromise agreed to in Rome on Sunday would see the world's biggest economies reach carbon neutrality "by or around mid-century." The plan sets the stage for the U.N. climate conference in Glasgow.

Africa

Tunisian president appoints first female prime minster

Tunisia's president dissolved the last parliament and has concentrated power. Now, he's appointed the country's first female prime minister. But is this a genuine move towards reform?

Tunisian president appoints first female prime minster

Listen · 5:05
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1050919703/1050919704" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Climate

A lot is riding on the COP26 global climate summit, but broken promises stall change

A look ahead to what COP26 might mean for the fight against global warming as the world's highest profile climate summit kicks off in Glasgow, Scotland.

A lot is riding on the COP26 global climate summit, but broken promises stall change

Listen · 4:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1050919640/1050919641" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Climate pledges don't stop countries from exporting huge amounts of fossil fuels

The Asia Vision LNG carrier ship sits docked at the Cheniere Energy Inc. terminal in this aerial photograph taken over Sabine Pass in Texas in 2016. Lindsey Janies/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Lindsey Janies/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Climate

Climate pledges don't stop countries from exporting huge amounts of fossil fuels

Under the Paris climate deal, exports of oil, gas and coal don't count toward a country's emissions. That's coming in for scrutiny as leaders gather for another global climate summit.

Saturday

U.S. reaches deal with European Union over steel and aluminum tariffs

Steel ingots emerge from an oven at the Saarsthal rail plant in Hayange, France, on Sept. 13, 2021. The United States and European Union have reached a deal on steel and aluminum tariffs. Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP via Getty Images

Europe

U.S. reaches deal with European Union over steel and aluminum tariffs

Announced at the G-20 Summit in Rome, the deal is meant to protect American producers but tamp down on the cost increases that the original tariffs have led to.

Why marigolds, or cempasúchil, are the iconic flower of Día de los Muertos

This Día de los Muertos altar on display at a public shrine in Oaxaca, Mexico, shows several traditional ofrendas, including cempasúchil -- the Aztec name of the marigold flower native to Mexico. Gabriel Perez/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Gabriel Perez/Getty Images

Religion

Why marigolds, or cempasúchil, are the iconic flower of Día de los Muertos

The Day of the Dead is deeply rooted in pre-Hispanic Aztec rituals blended with Roman Catholic traditions. But many of the indigenous symbols remain, including the vibrant and fragrant marigold.

Biden, other leaders say no easing sanctions until Iran slows its nuclear development

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (from left), French President Emmanuel Macron, German outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Biden meet in Rome to discuss renewed talks over the Iran nuclear deal. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Biden, other leaders say no easing sanctions until Iran slows its nuclear development

President Biden and three European allies say they are ready to return to the scuttled deal that eased sanctions against Iran, in return for Iran limiting its nuclear program.

The G-20 gets together for the 1st time since the pandemic. Here's what you missed

President Biden poses for a selfie with first responders who joined world leaders Saturday for the traditional family photo at the G-20 summit in Rome. Gregorio Borgia/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Gregorio Borgia/AP

Politics

The G-20 gets together for the 1st time since the pandemic. Here's what you missed

It's been two years since the heads of most leading economies met in person. "We can finally look at the future with great — or with some — optimism," said Italy's Mario Draghi, the summit host.

Global Health

Russia battles highest COVID-19 infection and death rates since the pandemic's start

Russia is seeing its highest infection and death rates since the start of the pandemic. It's beginning a controversial 10-day shutdown in an attempt to defeat the virus.

Russia battles highest COVID-19 infection and death rates since the pandemic's start

Listen · 4:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1050782606/1050782607" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
From a place of privilege, she speaks the truth about climate to power

Maria Laura Rojas, a climate activist from Bogota, at the outskirts of the city. Erika Piñeros for NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Erika Piñeros for NPR

Goats and Soda

From a place of privilege, she speaks the truth about climate to power

Maria Laura Rojas admits that climate change has not had an impact on her own life. But with empathy and determination, she'll speak out for the most vulnerable at the COP26 summit.

From a place of privilege, she speaks the truth about climate to power

Listen · 3:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1049089123/1050782699" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Germany debates how to form gender-neutral words out of its gendered language

In the German language, nouns themselves are often gendered. Cities across Germany, including Lubeck, are now trying to use gender-neutral language by placing a colon or asterisk within words. Marcus Brandt/dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Marcus Brandt/dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Europe

Germany debates how to form gender-neutral words out of its gendered language

The German language is full of male and female nouns. Officials and businesses are tweaking words, including adding asterisks, to make them inclusive.

Germany debates how to form gender-neutral words out of its gendered language

Listen · 4:41
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1049603171/1057886257" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript