The World

Chinese President Xi Jinping is shown with his back toward the camera and facing several rows of government officials who are clapping.

A global lens on China’s National People’s Congress

China's National People's Congress began Friday by setting out broad plans for economic growth. Environment observers around the world are also keeping an eye on plans from China’s top lawmaking body for reducing carbon emissions over the next five years. And, for years, the US military has depended on Afghan interpreters for languages and advice on local norms. But when troops return home, the interpreters stay behind and can face deadly threats. Also, in Colombia, a frog farm is trying to defeat poachers, by competing against them.

A solar panel installation is seen in Ruicheng County in central China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 27, 2019. China's Premier Li Keqiang announced that the country would target a reduction of 18% in carbon intensity over the course of the next five years as pa

China’s moderate climate goals allow emissions to continue to rise

China, the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, released its latest five-year economic plan in conjunction with the annual meeting of its National People’s Congress on Friday.

This frog farm in Colombia is trying to put poachers out of business

Treasures of Colombia breeds tiny amphibians, native to Colombian forests, for export to Europe and the US.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is shown wearing a dark suit and walking past several rows of men all applauding him.

China moves to tighten grip on Hong Kong in NPC

Top of The World: In a move to tighten Beijing’s grip over Hong Kong, China's the top lawmaking body unveiled a plan specifying only "patriots" can govern Hong Kong. And, the US Supreme Court has dismissed several cases related to “sanctuary cities.” Also, the Biden administration is moving to speed up asylum cases by transitioning some detention centers in Texas to processing facilities.

Iraqis put up a poster announcing the upcoming visit of Pope Francis and a meeting with a revered Shiite Muslim leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, right, in Najaf, Iraq, March 4, 2021.

Pope Francis' historic trip to Iraq embraced by many as a welcome boost

Pope Francis’ upcoming three-day tour of the country will include meetings with political and religious leaders plus visits to historical sites.

U Saw Mhue Dee, U Saw Benjamin and Daw Naw Lay Lay explain the process of growing elephant foot yam, sheltered from the afternoon heat under a stilt house in Paungdawgyi Village.

Danish window company confronts its historic carbon emissions through forest conservation

The multibillion-dollar Danish company Velux is pledging to address its legacy emissions dating back to 1941 through forest conservation projects in places like Myanmar.

A large group of protesters are shown running from a cloud of tear gas in the foreground with several people wearing construction hard hats.

Deadly Myanmar crackdown becomes test for the West

The deadly crackdowns by Myanmar security forces on demonstrators protesting a military coup are raising alarm in the West. How the US responds to calls for action on Myanmar is becoming a test of President Biden's foreign policy team. And, Pope Francis travels to Iraq on Friday for a three-day visit, despite the pandemic and escalating violence. Also, a team of multidisciplinary researchers has “virtually unfolded” a sealed letter, never opened, from the 17th century.

Biden’s next moves in Myanmar March 04, 2021
Pope Francis' historic trip to Iraq embraced by many as a welcome boost March 04, 2021
Tigray war crimes March 04, 2021
Danish window company confronts its historic carbon emissions through forest conservation March 04, 2021
These instruments made of ice will give you chills March 04, 2021
Female media workers killed in Afghanistan March 04, 2021
Italy blocks coronavirus vaccines from export March 04, 2021
Turkey’s ancient practice of pigeon raising sees new life in quarantine March 04, 2021
French education minister targets ‘Islamo-leftism’ in academia March 04, 2021
Researchers ‘virtually unlock’ a sealed 17th-century letter March 04, 2021

Researchers ‘virtually unlock’ a sealed 17th-century letter

Before password protection or message encryption — or even envelopes — there was something known as “letterlocking" to secure letters from prying eyes.

A nurse is shown through the glass of a closed door looking into a darkened room with two other medical professionals dressed in protective clothing.

Coronavirus Conversations: Grieving and mental health amid the coronavirus pandemic

Despite vaccination campaigns underway, the end of the pandemic is still a way off and the death toll continues to weigh on the mental health of people around the world. How do you grieve amid the ongoing suffering? As part of The World's regular series of conversations with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health and as a special feature in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with clinical psychologist Christy Denckla. Find more from our series here: https://theworld.org/coronavirusconversations.

Two police officers are show in shadow in the nearground with a picture of Pope Francis on a wall in the background with the Iraqi flag painted at the bottom.

Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq comes amid the pandemic and increasing violence

Top of The World: Pope Francis is set to visit Iraq starting Friday despite criticism of traveling amid rising COVID-19 infections and security concerns. And, Wednesday marked the “the bloodiest day” in Myanmar with a brutal crackdown on protests. Also, a new study found that the risk of death from COVID-19 is about 10 times higher in countries where more than half of the population is overweight.

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