Terror attacks across Sri Lanka have shocked the South Asian country. Hundreds of people lost their lives in the horrific bombings that became the deadliest violence in the Sri Lanka in a decade. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2H4rL7z But after the initial reports broke on that bloody Sunday morning, troubling new details began to leak out about what Sri Lanka’s security agencies knew. Details that show certain officials in Sri Lanka were warned of possible attacks – and they didn’t take the steps to stop them. While it's unknown if the Sri Lankan government had any knowledge of ISIS' alleged involvement, a leaked security memo show that the Sri Lanka easter attack wasn't a complete shock. Just weeks before that easter attack, India warned the Sri Lankan government of potential attacks. It was given detailed information, including the plan to targeted of Catholic churches, as well as the suspected militants’ names and ad

Thousands of asylum seekers arrive at the U.S. border every year seeking protection from persecution in their home countries. But they face an often difficult and complex legal process. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2L2Uhdr People like Malado Diallo, an asylum seeker from Mali, are then left waiting to rebuild their lives with very little support. Now, some are finding refuge in a NYC urban gardening program. ‘New Roots’ is an IRC-established program helping refugees and asylum seekers find resources like English-language classes and helping them find employment. But they’re also helping women find a sense of community and build relationships they wouldn’t otherwise find. Connect with NowThis » Subscribe to NowThis News: http://go.nowth.is/News_Subscribe » Like us on Facebook: http://go.nowth.is/News_Facebook » Tweet us on Twitter: http://go.nowth.is/News_Twitter » Follow us on Instagram: http://go.nowth.is/News_Instagram »

It’s the end of an era in Sudan. Omar al-Bashir, one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state, whose brutal rule over Sudan lasted for 30 years was toppled after months of anti-government sudanese protesters in the streets. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2UJFMQc But the end of Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s rule by a military coup wasn’t enough to satisfy Sudanese protesters. Now, they are calling for the end of the entire regime that he built and that kept him in power for so long. To understand how this all unfolded, let’s go back to December 19th, 2018 in Sudan. Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in the northeastern city of Atbara and in other cities to protest the continued worsening of the country’s economy under al-Bashir. Inflation had recently skyrocketed to nearly 70% and the price of food had risen dramatically as well. The protests continued to grow and in April, tens of thousands of anti-government

To some, Benjamin Netanyahu a beloved leader who has consistently put their safety and security first. But to others, Benjamin Netanyahu a despised ruler who has shown a flagrant disregard for international, and potentially domestic, laws. But who is Bibi Netanyahu really? » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2IsfNWc Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu was born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1949. In 1963, the Netanyahus moved to the United States after Benzion, his father, accepted an academic post in Pennsylvania. The young Netanyahu attended Cheltenham High School, located in what was then a Jewish enclave in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Eventually, just days before his high school graduation ceremony, Netanyahu returned to Israel to serve in the IDF, or Israeli Defense Forces. And Bibi thrived in the military. Netanyahu would go back and forth between the US and Israel for some years after. His political career started to take off around

Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s parliament passed a bill that officially declared Israel a Jewish state in July 2018. The ‘nation-state’ legislation defines things like Israel’s national holidays, symbols, and the state’s connection to Jewish heritage. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2ORjLsv Supporters of the bill say at worst, it’s a symbolic nod toward Jewish unity that won’t actually impact the lives of citizens day-today - and, at best, a 'defining moment' for Zionism. Critics - including many international Jewish groups - say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing majority coalition are bolstering 'tribalism' or, even more severely - 'apartheid.' But what does this mean for the near quarter of Israel’s population that isn’t Jewish? Well, the controversial ‘Nation-State’ bill declared Jewish settlement a 'national value' and made the right to national self-determination in Israel 'unique to the

New Zealand is making some big changes. Their Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, made the announcement that: “Every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned in this country,” less than a week after a white supremacist allegedly carried out a mass shooting that left 50 worshippers dead in two New Zealand mosques in Christchurch. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2JNfgAs Thanks to a push from New Zealand’s Muslim community gun policy experts and politicians alike are already recognizing that this attack was directly connected to holes in the legal system. In less than a week after the shooting, she laid out specific legislative plans: A ban on all military-style semi-automatic weapons, assault rifles, high-capacity ammunition magazines, as well as accessories that can modify guns into military-style weapons. But when we zoom out, we see that New Zealand’s gun laws are less stringent than those i

A non-violent freedom fighter? A war crimes apologist? Or is she something in between? Aung San Suu Kyi’s decades-long, non-violent struggle for democracy made her a hero around the world. But once appointed to office, many say her leadership, has been disappointing. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2TTHZIn Born on June 19th, 1945, in what was then Rangoon, Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi was destined to be defiant from the start. Her father was none other than Aung San -- the former military general who negotiated Burma’s independence from the British in 1947. He became known as a national hero, and the founder of modern-day Myanmar, which was then known as Burma. But in 1947, when Suu Kyi was just 2 years old, everything changed. Her father was assassinated by a rival politician. She went on to graduate from high school in 1964, and then studied with the global elite at Oxford University. There she met her to-be husband. Y

Climate change is happening. And one industry in particular will have to undergo a huge transformation and all but disappear by 2050…. The coal industry. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2TVSSsk But what does this mean for that industry and governments around the world? And what about the workers the coal industry employs? We’re taking a look at the steps one country is taking to prepare for a clean energy economy, while trying to make sure no one gets left behind. To avoid the most devastating consequences of climate change, a United Nations panel of scientists has recently warned that drastic action is required around the world. In Spain. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez government's priorities was taking immediate action to address climate change. That meant drastic action to limit Spain’s coal industry. The country had to comply with a European Union directive that said that public funds could no longer be used

Costa Rica has sometimes been called “the Switzerland of Central America” because of its stable government and economy. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2tWUHqv In fact, Costa Rica is the 13th happiest place in the world, just a few spots behind Sweden and other European countries famous for their generous welfare states. In 1948, a civil war broke out in Costa Rica. The civil war was fought between Costa Rica’s Communist Party and a National Liberation Army lead by José Figueres. Figueres won the 44-day war and became Costa Rica’s provisional president. And he began making a few key decisions that would help Costa Rica avoid the same fate as its neighbors and set up a stable democracy. Because in the coming decades, the country’s neighbors in Central America wouldn’t be so lucky. Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador all had political conflicts during the Cold War that drew in the United States and set the stage f

President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency over border wall funding. The declaration allows the president to unilaterally divert billions of dollars from military construction projects to fund this border wall. But now, Trump’s declaration is being challenged in the courts and Congress. In a historic vote on February 26th, the House of Representatives voted to block a presidential national emergency for the first time ever. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2HaFPNd Many other presidents have used this power before. But this declaration isn’t normal. At all. Because by using it to fund his proposed border wall, he has made it the first time a president has used this power to pay for policy that had already been rejected by Congress. Right now, 16 states are suing the president for what they say is an “unconstitutional” use of executive power. The lawsuit claims the president has used a quote “manufactured crisi

Has ISIS really been defeated? The answer… isn’t that simple. Today, ISIS has lost all but one percent of the territory that it once controlled. Which is why you’ve probably heard President Trump repeatedly claim ISIS has been defeated. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2Iu6dUo BUT, some people, like New York Times correspondent Rukmini Callimachi, point out that while ISIS no longer has control over a state-like entity, we shouldn’t equate that with the group’s defeat. ISIS now finds itself returning to its roots in guerrilla warfare -- focusing more heavily on targeted attacks and inspiring “lone-wolf” attacks like we’ve seen it do abroad -- and less on claiming territory. Despite this, President Trump has called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. Another thing to keep a close eye on if the U.S. does withdraw from Syria, are the Kurdish-run prisons that have been indefinitely detaining ISIS fighters and sympath

President Xi Jinping is China’s most powerful leader in decades. And his plans for the rising superpower loom large over the country and its politics. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2V1FHmy Xi’s name has been attached to the country’s slogans and initiatives that reflect its newfound strength and identity, from Xi Jinping’s Chinese Dream to Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. Xi’s influence was even codified into China’s constitution in 2017, when the Chinese Communist Party amended the document to include “Xi Jinping Thought” - the leader’s vision for China’s next 30 years. Xi’s early presidency has been focused on using his newfound power to continue to combat corruption within the CCP. These corruption drives helped maintain the party’s popularity in China despite the country’s slowing growth rates. More recently, Xi’s agenda has pivoted to foreign policy. Some observers say that for Xi, China’s strength will come fro

Both Nicolas Maduro and Juan Gerardo Guaidó Márquez are claiming to be Venezuela's president, in Venezuela’s latest power struggle. But how can Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaidó people claim to be the Venezuelan president? » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2UJk5vk Nicolas Maduro, who’s been president for the past 5 years, and Juan Guaido, the opposition leader of the National Assembly, both say they have a constitutional right to the office. The disagreement has caused international backlash and dozens of countries have picked sides. How did it reach this point? First, let's talk a little about how this all unfolded. The crisis escalated in the beginning of January, when the relatively unknown Guaido first gained prominence when he was sworn into office as the head of the National Assembly - the opposition held legislative body that was stripped of its power in 2017 by the country’s pro-Maduro supreme court. He immediately

Turkey and the United States were united in their mission to liberate territory in Syria from ISIS. But now Donald Trump’s plan to withdraw from the war-torn country is expected to leave a massive power vacuum there. This leaves Donald Trump and Recep Erdogan to figure out how to balance their interests in the new geopolitical landscape. And one big issue is the fate of Syria’s Kurds. While the United States considers Kurdish forces a major ally in the region, Turkey says that they’re a threat. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2MNaPmV Just days after the U.S. withdrawal was abruptly announced, Turkey laid out their intentions to enter northeastern Syria and take out the Kurdish YPG, which is the armed wing of Syria’s Kurdish Democratic Union Party, also known as the PYD. Since then, the Trump administration has attempted to negotiate protections for the Kurds, but Erdogan’s government has refused to make any concessions. And t

In Iran, the supreme leader has the final word. Which got us thinking, just how much power does the supreme leader of Iran actually have? » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2TfYOcl It’s no secret that the Islamic Republic of Iran has a complicated and, let’s call it ‘volatile,’relationship with the U. S. But this isn’t anything new. Despite this, President Donald Trump expressed a willingness to meet with Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, even though Trump ended up withdrawing from the Iran nuclear agreement. BUT Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was not interested at all. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a key player in the Middle East. And whether it’s the war in Syria and Yemen, or its nuclear deal with western powers, the Persian country always seems to be right in the center of things. And while Iran has elected political offices like a presidency and legislative body, a lot of power belongs to one man, t

Chances are you might have heard about what’s called China Social Credit system. You know… the thing people are calling a big brother type scary dystopian surveillance program right out of George Orwell's book 1984. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2FzNogh It’s been painted as a nationwide social monitoring program that watches every single thing that you do. From what you’re posting online to the way you cross a street. And when reports of the citizen tracking social monitoring system hit western media some people were terrified. They compared the proposed social behavior tracking system to that crazy Black Mirror episode. But what would you say if I told you that a nationwide social behavior tracking system is NOT actually a thing in China -- well not yet, at least. China wants to set up a massive, state-sanctioned system that would rank every citizen based on their behavior. But the idea of a credit system that tracks

Since November, thousands of protesters called “Les Gilets Jaunes” or “the yellow vests” have hit the streets of France wearing bright yellow safety vests. Here's who they are, who they aren't, and why they are protesting. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/E4k4xRrDoYM France is still in the midst of violent protests. The yellow vest protestors started out peaceful but the violence seems to be escalating. On January 5th protesters wearing bright yellow safety vests, and some dressed in black, attacked a government ministry building in Paris. A government spokesperson had to be evacuated out the back. But why are the french protesting? First, let's clear up what the Yellow Vests are and are not. The Yellow Vests in France are NOT a formal organization, and remain largely leaderless. That fact makes it hard to determine what all of these protesters actually stand for. On the other hand, it’s a lot easier to see what it is that th

All eyes should be on countries with election in 2019. If the last few years have been any indication, the 2019 elections can have major consequences for the rest of the world, in addition to the country in which they’re held. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2C3id8O Each year, citizens from countries all over the world have the opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box. Surprise results can completely change the calculus for even the most meticulous global leaders. So in this episode, we’re discussing four countries with important elections 2019: Afghanistan, Ukraine, India, and Israel, and how these 2019 elections might impact events on the global stage. Leaders in Afghanistan, Ukraine, India, and Israel will have to make the case to voters that they deserve to hold power. Then, on Election Day, citizens will decide who will win 2019 elections. What will happen to these continuing conflicts and embroiled incu

American foreign policy in 2018 has been called a lot of things (Isolated, Independent, Intolerant, and Inhumane). » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2AmTix8 As President Donald Trump’s second year in office comes to a close, how exactly has he translated his promise of putting 'America First' rhetoric into actionable foreign policy? And what exactly has it meant for the United State’s influence and standing around the world today? Trump’s 2nd year in office has been incredibly consequential on the world stage. He’s done things like forming new diplomatic relationships with dictators and authoritarian leaders, isolated the U.S. from some of its historically strongest allies, and some, like South Korean President Moon Jae-in, even credit him with improving North and South Korea’s relationship. In this video we’re going to recap some of 2018’s standout moments in U.S. Foreign policy. On April 6th, former Trump Administration

Almost 69 million people are forcibly displaced from their homes in the world right now. The UN estimates that about 25 million of them are refugees. The refugee population increased by almost 3 million in 2017, the biggest yearly increase that the UN has ever seen. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2RfONOo And globally, displacement and refugee disasters are expected to get worse. But you might never even have heard of some of these crises. So, as 2018 comes to a close, we’re looking back on a few of these displacement crises that didn’t make as many headlines, to highlight some things you should know. South Sudan is now in the fifth year of its refugee crisis. It started in December 2013, when a civil war broke out just two years after the country achieved independence. What started as a political conflict was exacerbated by ethnic divisions. In Yemen, what the NRC calls the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, is stil

China has invested billions of dollars into the continent of Africa to build massive infrastructure projects in African countries. Much of this infrastructure is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, an estimated 1 trillion dollar plan to connect the country to trade routes all over the world. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2LhNmtv While China’s Belt and Road Initiative was only proposed in 2013, the country’s first infrastructure project on the African continent was built decades ago. The TazaHra railway, completed in 1976, was built to connect copper mines in Zambia to Dar EH Salaam, Tanzania’s former capital. The TazHara railway was the first infrastructure project built on a pan-African scale. China’s Belt and Road projects will be designed to create new trade routes within and between African countries. In 2017, a Chinese firm opened a railway network in Kenya, connecting its capital Nairobi to the port city of Momb

Liberia. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Bright-eyed, full of optimism, but also widely viewed as unflinching, and hailed Liberia’s “Iron Lady,” Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf shouldered the responsibility of a nation racked by years of brutal Liberian civil war. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2rnE7yS Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was born in the nation’s capital Monrovia, Liberia in 1938. And politics ran her blood. She was the daughter of the first indigenous Liberian to serve in the country’s legislature. It’s important to mention that during this time there was divide between the indigenous population of Liberia and former slaves, called “Americo-Liberians” who had settled in Monrovia. The Americo-Liberians created a hierarchical society that suppressed the indigenous population, denying them basic rights. Sirleaf was thrust into the middle of this divide. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf studied in the United States before returning to Liberia to begin h

Which countries are the most educated in the world today? » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2E404uf New job opportunities. Higher wages. New perspectives, ideas, and ways of life.These are just some of the benefits to having access to higher education. And most people agree that this can change the trajectory of your life. As the demographics, economies, and prioritization of higher education shift, so will the most educated countries in the world. And as we’ve seen in some of these countries, having high education rates don’t always translate into higher wages and better job opportunities. So, what are the top 5 most educated countries in the world today? You might be surprised by who makes it onto the list. We’ll be using data from 2017 compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) -- which calculates the percentage of a given country’s population between the age of 25-64 years old who have

In a key region, near two international borders, where over 8 million people live, the ebola virus is spreading. And it might be uncontainable, according to world health officials. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2DUrMtl The ebola outbreak is happening in North Kivu province in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. And although health workers and aid organizations have learned how to quickly contain and treat the virus, there’s a new obstacle this time… This is the first outbreak to happen in an active war zone. According to the DRC health ministry, teams that have been responding to the ebola outbreak have been attacked 3 to 4 times a week on average. That has made it nearly impossible to follow normal protocol that’s been used during other ebola outbreaks. Measures that include vaccinating at risk populations. Ebola is an infectious disease that affects the way blood clots. It can be fatal if contra

On December 1st, Mexico will get a new president. Former mayor of Mexico City Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will take office. But Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's road to the presidency was anything but easy. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2TSo6xL Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, also known as AMLO, first had to prevail over the incumbent Mexican administration, run by the PRI, a political party that has governed Mexico for most of the last century. After numerous corruption scandals and a failed war on drugs that’s killed almost 200,000 people since 2006, AMLO was hoping the Mexican people were hungry for change. The multitude of crises in Mexico seemingly confirmed issues that AMLO had been discussing for decades, vindicating his agenda and making him the clear frontrunner for the 2018 election. Throughout the campaign, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador built a broad coalition. His party MORENA, ran candidates who had formerly belonged

In 2008, Rwanda became the first country in the world to have more than half of its government run by women. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/vo4_z80USmE Rwanda has the highest representation of women in politics in the world. And that’s largely hailed a major triumph for gender parity. But some Rwandan women and experts alike say that despite the country’s immense progress, there’s still a long way to go. We spoke to a Gender Expert who, following months of investigating and interviewing women in Rwanda, indicated that political representation and societal expectations of women don’t always perfectly align. Some women in Rwanda say the country still has a long way to go when it comes to gender equality in daily life. Government programs currently in place to help Rwandan women advance in politics still have room for improvement. Experts say they’re largely accessible to the elite, well-educated, and often English-speaking - whe

Hundreds of refugees are still waiting to be resettled, 30 years after fleeing conflict and persecution. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2KoLZZE In the 1990s, the world was shocked by the horrific stories of thousands of young children fleeing Sudan’s war by foot on their own. These children became known as the “lost boys” even though they included some girls too. Although some countries, including the United States, took some of them in, hundreds of those who were also waiting for there chance at being resettled are still waiting. This all began when civil war broke out in Sudan in 1980s. Up to 2 million people were killed over the course of the war. And no one was spared from the violence — not even children. Thousands of young kids, mostly boys, fled the war by foot. Leaving behind their families for safety. They embarked on a brutal thousand mile walk to Ethiopia. But many of the children wouldn’t make it. Many died f

Homelessness just became a crime in Hungary … again. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2BbnoEs Under the new ban written into Hungary’s constitution, homeless people caught living on the streets multiple times over a period of 90 days can face fines, mandatory public work, and even imprisonment. After several warnings, police officers are even allowed to destroy homeless people’s personal belongings. But believe it or not, this isn’t the first time Hungary has enacted this policy – so, how did we get back here? It started in April 2012, when, in the midst of a widespread economic crisis, the Hungarian government began enforcing a law that criminalized homelessness. Unemployment and poverty were on the rise. In a 2010 survey on homelessness, 14% of respondents said they lost their home because they couldn’t pay their rent or other bills. That might not be all that surprising, given what human rights groups say is just one

30 years after declaring independence, the Palestinian territories still lack a united government. We're taking a look at Palestine's history, sovereignty, and society to see how powerful it really is. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2DkhN0e In Palestine today, there are an estimated 4.5 million people living in the Palestinian territories, which are made up of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and east Jerusalem. Both the West Bank and Gaza have considerably high population density, although Gaza's far outpaces the West Bank's. The West Bank, which is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Delaware, has a population of more than 2.7 million. The Gaza Strip has a population of around 1.8 million, despite being roughly 16 times smaller in land size than the West Bank. And the population is extremely young too. The median age of Palestinians is around 19-years-old. For context, Israel has a median again of about 30. There's al

In this episode we've compiled a list of the five richest places in the world. The richest places might surprise you. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2Qx0gFX The world has in excess of 80 trillion dollars, according to estimates.There is no surprise that much of those funds are possessed by the highly populated, global powers like The United States and China. But when you look at how much money a place has per person, you might be surprised about which ones come out in the top five. First, we have to get a little technical. We will be using the latest data made publicly available by the International Monetary Fund in April of this year. There are a number of different ways to calculate a country's wealth. But based on advice from experts and agencies like the United Nations Development Programme, our ranking will be based off of a place's GDP per capita, adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity, or PPP as is commonly called. P

Ethnic cleansing lacks a legal definition by the United Nations, so ethnic cleansing is technically not considered a crime under international law; As opposed to genocide which does have an international meaning. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2z0XIch The first time the term was used on the world stage, was during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. The United Nations Commission of Experts was tasked with investigating if violations of international humanitarian law was committed there. As the world continues to see acts of ethnic cleansing in places like Myanmar, Bangladesh for example, unfold over and over, is it time the international community come together to legally define it and make it an international crime? Connect with NowThis » Subscribe to NowThis News: http://go.nowth.is/News_Subscribe » Like us on Facebook: http://go.nowth.is/News_Facebook » Tweet us on Twitter: http://go.nowth.is/News_Twitte

White supremacist and other right-wing violence are currently the deadliest active domestic extremist movements in the U.S., according to data from several civil rights groups that track hate crimes and extremist violence. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2yLM3Of Over the last decade, right-wing extremists committed more than 70% of extremist-related murders, according to a report published earlier this year by the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism. The Government Accountability Office similarly reported in 2017 that right-wing extremists were responsible for 73% of fatal extremist incidents since 9/11. The most common groups victimized by these extremists are those who are black, Hispanic, or part of a multi-racial couple or family. It's important to note that right-wing domestic extremism is an umbrella term under which various right-wing ideologies fall in the U.S. Most in recent years have been committed by wh

Populist, Protector, Punisher, and Problematic. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2qlEJV3 Those are are just a few words that have been used to describe the Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte. Rodrigo Duterte and his straight-talking, no-nonsense style of leadership has made him a hero to many in the Philippines. But his brutal, authoritarian approach to politics and law enforcement have raised serious human rights concerns - as well as threaten the delicate balance of alliances in the region. In the 1970s and 80s, Davao City was known as the "murder capital" of the Philippines. It was incredibly dangerous city, where communist insurgents and government forces would openly kill each other in broad daylight. Rodrigo Duterte wanted to stop this -- by any means necessary. So Rodrigo Duterte became a prosecutor for the city from 1977 - 1986, and worked to rid the city of criminal activity. He was so determined to lock up

Women in India are saying enough is enough. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2z6lhQe Almost one year after activist Tarana Burke's #MeToo movement erupted in the U.S., Indian survivors are sharing long ignored or unreported instances of sexual assault and harassment. The #metoo movement, which empowered survivors in the U.S. to speak up about harassment by little-known and high-profile perpetrators alike, has made global waves, and spread to places like France, China, and Kenya. And though #MeToo in India is making headlines as a new movement, some women are saying they've been speaking out for a long time, it's just people haven't been listening. This isn't the first time women in India are speaking out against sexual assault. But it's fair to say past allegations haven't caught fire on social media the way they are now. In fact, one of the allegations that sparked this movement first surfaced 10 years ago, but didn't r

A former army captain is on the verge of becoming Brazil's next president. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2OK0EE5 Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right candidate and provocateur, who was once relegated to the sidelines of politics, has managed to become the driving force in Brazil after 14 years of left-wing rule. Jair Bolsonaro's election could mean a political earthquake for Latin America. How did this happen? And what does this mean for Brazil? Let's start with how Jair Bolsonaro managed to become the center of attention in Brazil after so many years with Brazil's Workers' Party at the helm. In 2015, Brazil was in turmoil. In addition to the first revelations of the 'Lava Jato' (Car Wash) corruption scandal Brazil also started to suffer a financial crisis with a stiff decrease on its GDP and a rise in crime and unemployment, which ultimately would keep the country among the most violent places to live in the world. Brazil's statu

Faisal Saleh is a Palestinian immigrant in the United States and founder of the first permanent Palestinian museum in the U.S. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2EI5pcS The Palestinian museum serves as a space for education and elevation of Palestinian art rather than war and conflict. The Palestinian museum defies the traditional Western narrative of the Palestinian story by acting as a space for celebration of cultural life rather than political divide. Saleh's parents left Salama during Israel's War of Independence, eventually settling in the West Bank town of El Bireh, near Ramallah. At the age of 18, in 1969, two years after the 1967 war, Saleh moved to the United States, studied at Oberlin College, earned his M.B.A. from the University of Connecticut, and became an entrepreneur. Hundreds of photos, paintings and sculptures by some of the most prominent Palestinian artists are proudly displayed at his museum, including p

Paul Manafort was one of the president’s top campaign officials and a long-time confidant. So what inspired the former lobbyist to flip on the president and plead guilty to conspiracy? » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2QZLHKX After months of fighting, Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort has pled guilty to one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice for his efforts to tamper with witnesses as part of a grueling FBI investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The Mueller investigation essentially found Paul Manafort indirectly guilty of collusion in the 2016 presidential election with Russia in support of Trump and against Hillary Clinton. Paul Manafort has completely flipped on President Trump since he got started on the Trump campaign, and now he's agreed to cooperate with the FBI and Robert Mueller's investigation into the Russians and Vladimir Putin's in

The October 2nd disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi shocked the world. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2NEviJJ The last place Khashoggi was seen was at the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. He entered, but reportedly never left. Now, over a week later, little is still known about Jamal Khashoggi's whereabouts. Officials from Turkey now fear the worst. They worry that the Saudis murdered the Saudi journalist after he entered its diplomatic station. Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist and exiled Saudi critic, wasn't always a critic of the Saudi government. In fact, he had a history of working very closely with the Saudi government even serving as an adviser to senior Saudi officials for a time. Despite his close relationship with the Saudi royal family, his vocal support for reforms often got him in trouble - even forced out from newsroom leadership positions in Saudi Arabi

After 17 years long, the war in Afghanistan is now considered the longest-running war in U.S. history. But why did the United States invade Afghanistan in the first place, and is anyone winning this war? » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/HPAONq36HKg The war in Afghanistan is now 17 years old - making the Afghanistan war the longest-running war in United States history. To put that number into perspective, young Americans can now enlist to fight in a war that began before they were even born. The war in Afghanistan that was started under President Bush and continued under President Obama, is now in the hands of President Trump -- who's taken a drastically different approach to the Afghanistan war than his predecessor. And making sense of Trump's Afghanistan war strategy and the us forces in Afghanistan has been on the minds of many. Trump, who said his initial instinct was to pull out of Afghanistan, had a change of heart when swo

The permanent 5 members of the UN Security Council have a unique power. It's their right to veto. But how has it's implementation failed to address humanitarian crises around the world? » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/sEKQYYhp3eE Though even the United Nation's fiercest critics admit the UN has done a lot of good around the world, the United Nations has also been accused of being complicit in corruption, tangled in bureaucracy, and increasingly reactive rather than proactive in addressing the world's crises. It's also been accused of failing to act to prevent genocides in places including Rwanda in 1994, Bosnia in 1995, and Darfur, Sudan in the early 2000s. Some have even called the United Nations Security Council permanent 5 void of power and totally powerless. But there are certain countries in the UN (United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France, China) that get to exercise real power. We're talking about the UN Securit

These two Russian teens are facing up to 5 years in prison for “inciting extremism” simply by sharing memes online. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/Vjfyqtz4_wc People can be arrested for liking or sharing posts that insult religious sensitivities, such as one meme that depicted Game of Thrones' Jon Snow (played by actor Kit Harington) as Jesus. In the past year, 604 people have been arrested, most of whom are under the age of 25. One major case involves a group called 'The New Greatness' which formed on the social media app Telegram, essentially Russia's equivalent to Facebook. 'The New Greatness' became a political opposition group that the Russian government called an extremist community. The extremism and organizing began when a man who called himself 'Ruslan D' joined the group. After protesting led to ten arrests, the only detail authorities could uncover about Ruslan D was his 'real' name: Alexander Konstantinov. But was

Each year, the official World Happiness Report tells us which countries are the ‘happiest’ — so who gets to decide what the ‘good life’ looks like? » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/1oDyQP5Ycgw Let's talk about happy countries. Today, we're breaking down the annual World Happiness Report, to explain which countries are the happiest countries in the world and why. When we look at global rankings, we're often talking about things like purchasing power, military resources, trade partnerships. But some experts say happiness is actually a better indicator of development and public policy successes than other factors. The World Happiness Report - now in its sixth year - is produced by a UN initiative called the Sustainable Development Solutions Network. They've managed to break down a topic that's both fundamentally subjective and hard to quantify. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland, the Nordic countries, are in the to

These are the five key global issues you should keep an eye on during this year’s 2018 UN General Assembly (UNGA 73). » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe Watch More: » The Rohingya & Why They're Fleeing: https://youtu.be/hUQRpggli74 » South Sudan's Hunger Crisis: https://youtu.be/VDKNMgKZoRk » Why the U.S. is in Yemen: https://youtu.be/lqwFsao_EsM The 73rd general assembly of united nations officially starts this week. The general assembly is supposed to be the place where the leaders of the world assemble to discuss key global issues of our time -- the ones that affect people around the world. But as previous years have shown, sometimes the things that make the headlines during the general assembly of united nations, are not the very issues that need to be addressed the most at the UN general assembly. The United Nations and others have already condemned many atrocities around the world. Now they'll have another opportunity to use their voice again. As the general assembly

Phishing, hacking, and misinformation — here are some of the ways that Russian-backed actors have undertaken a campaign to influence the 2018 midterm elections. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/YgpDucwJAqU Connect with NowThis » Subscribe to NowThis News: http://go.nowth.is/News_Subscribe » Like us on Facebook: http://go.nowth.is/News_Facebook » Tweet us on Twitter: http://go.nowth.is/News_Twitter » Follow us on Instagram: http://go.nowth.is/News_Instagram » Find us on Snapchat Discover: http://go.nowth.is/News_Snapchat Connect with Judah: » Follow @judah_robinson on Twitter: http://go.nowth.is/TweetJudah » Facebook: http://go.nowth.is/LikeJudah Connect with Alex: » Follow @AlexLJanin on Twitter: http://go.nowth.is/TweetAlex » Facebook: http://go.nowth.is/LikeAlex Connect with Versha: » Follow @versharma on Twitter: http://go.nowth.is/TweetVersha » Facebook: http://go.nowth.is/LikeVersha NowThis World is dedicated to bringing

Pope Francis is facing bombshell allegations that have put the papacy directly in the crosshairs of a potential scandal. But the Catholic Pope isn't new to being at the center of controversies with the Catholic church. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/lqwFsao_EsM Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936 - Catholic Pope Francis was the son of Italian immigrants who fled the fascist dictatorship of Benito Mussolini. Bergoglio dedicated his life to the Roman Catholic church in 1958 when he joined the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. Fast forward to March 13, 2013 -- a billow of white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel. That was the moment Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became known as Pope Francis. Pope Francis became the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic church. His leadership would bring in a new wave of firsts for the Vatican. Pope Francis was the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and first non

The United Nations has called the conflict in Yemen "the worst humanitarian crisis" in the world today. Here's how the U.S. is a part of the problem. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/haPnUDM9pdU In Yemen on August 9, 2018 -- young boys boarded a school bus for what was meant to be a daylong field trip filled with excitement. But that day of fun, soon turned into a day of horror and tragedy as they became the latest victims of a Saudi Yemen war. A Saudi Arabia led military coalition dropped a 500 pound laser guided bomb on the bus killing about 51 Yemeni people and injuring about 79 other people. The horrific images that emerged from the scene of the attack not only drew the world's attention to the Yemen civil war and the Yemen airstrikes, but also to the international partnerships that are supporting Saudi Arabia's relentless bombardment of its neighbor to the south. Especially after subsequent reporting revealed that the b

Imran Khan, cricket superstar. Imran Khan, playboy. Imran Khan Pakistan Politician. Khan has been called many things. But now he's earned a new title. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2o91xpU Imran Khan new prime minister, then-captain of the Pakistan national cricket team led his team to an unprecedented victory for the country. It was Pakistan's first and only World Cup win to date - and a moment of extreme pride for its citizens. Prime Minister Khan, who was already a celebrated cricketer throughout the '70s and '80s, saw his celebrity status skyrocket even further. Beloved both at home and in the West, he had an active and public social and love life - his marriage to British heiress in 1995 making international news. He also made headlines as a philanthropist, fundraising millions of dollars to open a cancer hospital for low-income patients in honor of his late mother in December, 1994. It was around this time - a few

As India’s Supreme Court is challenged to decriminalize gay sex, the world is watching to see if it will be a win for LGBTQ+ rights or if the country will remain stuck in the past. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/A41XXPtl1XM In India, the fate of millions hang in the balance. Their Supreme Court is currently deciding whether it will scrap one of the world's oldest laws that criminalizes gay sex. Many say Section 377 has stripped millions of gay people of their dignity and privacy and has also created a hostile environment where gay and transgender people fear reporting things like sexual harassment or assault -- because they fear they too will be arrested, even if they are the victims. But it's important to note that same-sex relations weren't always this taboo in India. For much of its pre- colonial history, the country remained rather relaxed when it came to depictions of same-sex love and gender identity. But that acceptanc

Did you know that laws still exist around the world today that exonerate alleged and convicted rapists if they marry their victims? » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the previous episode: https://go.nowth.is/2ntsDYu Protests have cropped up in countries around the world, from Turkey to Lebanon to Morocco. According to the World Bank, the Philippines, Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Kuwait, Libya, & Syria, have legal provisions stipulating that the perpetrator of rape or sexual assault can escape punishment by marrying the victim There are also variations of these laws that exist in other parts of the world - for example, in Greece, Russia, Serbia, and Thailand an alleged rapist can avoid prosecution if the victim is underage, and in Singapore, Romania, Thailand and Turkey, if the victim "forgives" him. These laws were back in the news recently after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas repealed that state's version of the legislation. It

Cambodia just had a major election, but there wasn't much suspense involved. The outcome of the Cambodia election 2018, as expected, was declared a win for authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for over 33 years. » Subscribe to NowThis World: http://go.nowth.is/World_Subscribe » Watch the Previous Episode: https://go.nowth.is/2LOewM2 This was the 6th general Cambodia election since the UN sponsored the country's free and fair vote in 1993, but some analysts say that the more elections that have been held, the more authoritarian the Hun Sen has become. Journalists and human rights groups say Cambodia is sliding into a full-fledged dictatorship. And we spoke to an expert on authoritarian regimes and democratization in Southeast Asia who says the country is already there. In this episode of NowThis World, Versha, will be exploring Cambodia news and the question: how did Cambodia and the Cambodia people get here? But before we look at the latest Cambodia election, we will need to unders