World

The Washington Post World section provides information and analysis of breaking world news stories. In addition to our world news and video, Post World News offers discussions and blogs on major international news and economic issues.


South Korea’s former first lady jailed for bribery ahead of husband’s verdict

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:03:49 +0000

Kim Keon Hee, the wife of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, was handed a 20-month sentence in a country where high-level prosecutions have become standard fare.

By:Sammy Westfall

Trump’s Venezuela plan does not foresee more military force, Rubio says

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:01:30 +0000

Secretary of State Marco Rubio would not rule out another U.S. attack in Venezuela, but he told lawmakers the Trump administration does not intend to order one.

By:Noah Robertson

Removal of flags for fallen Danish soldiers at U.S. Embassy sparks backlash

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:41:53 +0000

There was no malicious intent in removing the flags, said a State Department spokesperson, who added that the flags had been replaced.

By:Tobi Raji

ICE at Olympics angers Milan mayor, who says agency’s image is ‘terrible’

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:04:51 +0000

A routine role for ICE around next month’s Winter Olympics has drawn ire in Italy, amid President Donald Trump’s sprawling immigration crackdown.

By:Anthony Faiola, Tobi Raji, Rick Maese

Ukraine sees ‘progress’ in latest talks with Russia despite ongoing attacks

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:55:56 +0000

Ukraine’s foreign minister described the Russian officials involved in the new rounds of talks, which resume Sunday in the United Arab Emirates, as much more serious than before.

By:David Stern, Anastacia Galouchka

Germany and France push for ‘two-speed’ E.U. to overcome policy inertia

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:55:18 +0000

Germany and France want to speed up action on strengthening the euro currency, cooperating on military spending and building supply chains for critical raw materials.

By:Aaron Wiener

Clamor is growing in Europe to boycott Trump’s World Cup

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:06:06 +0000

This summer’s North American World Cup is inextricably tied to President Donald Trump. Some of his critics are questioning the fitness of the U.S. as a host.

By:Ishaan Tharoor

Right on cue: Toddler is recognized for his mastery of trick shots

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:05:43 +0000

Jude Owens has already scored two Guinness World Records for his snooker skills. He’s 3 years old and needs a stool to reach the table.

By:Victoria Craw

Hungary announces charges against Budapest mayor over Pride events

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:28:51 +0000

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has aligned himself closely with President Donald Trump’s brand of populist conservatism and is a MAGA darling.

By:Steve Hendrix

Inside the shadow war between Russia and Ukraine that exploits teens

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:00:24 +0000

Vika, 18, needed a job. Then an offer came for $2,500 to make a simple delivery that seemed too good to be true. It was a Russian sabotage operation.

By:Lizzie Johnson, Serhii Korolchuk

What to know about the deadly Nipah virus, amid outbreak in India

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:01:23 +0000

Some airports in Asia are on alert after confirmed cases in West Bengal of Nipah virus, which has no known cure. South Asia sees outbreaks nearly every year.

By:Sammy Westfall

Facing U.S. turmoil, Europe and India announce blockbuster trade deal

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:07:20 +0000

The accord, among two of the world’s largest economies, would create a free trade zone of 2 billion people, as President Trump upends U.S. alliances and global trade.

By:Ellen Francis, Karishma Mehrotra

The stories of the final hostages whose bodies were returned from Gaza

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:44:40 +0000

Israel recovered the body of Rani Gvili, the final hostage left in Gaza after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

By:Victoria Bisset, Lior Soroka

As Trump shuffles global order, U.K. prime minister heads to Beijing

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:26:32 +0000

Keir Starmer’s visit is part of a flurry of diplomacy between Europe and China, but risks angering President Donald Trump.

By:Karla Adam, Katrina Northrop, Lyric Li

Man, 29, races against time to preserve voices of Holocaust survivors

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:01:23 +0000

“There’s not that many survivors left that I can be picky,” said Jiri Kluc who devotes his free time to interviewing Holocaust survivors around the world.

By:Kyle Melnick

Hamas took 251 hostages from Israel into Gaza. What happened to them?

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:45:58 +0000

Israel recovered the body of Rani Gvili, the last of the 251 hostages taken into Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. Here’s what happened to him and the others.

By:Victoria Bisset, Júlia Ledur, Leslie Shapiro, Maham Javaid

Poland built the E.U.’s biggest army, but the threat has changed

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:25:53 +0000

As European nations race to build their militaries, Poland has already bolstered its capabilities — but it prepared for conventional war, not hybrid threats like drones.

By:Aaron Wiener

Trump threatens to raise tariffs on South Korea to 25%

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:37:39 +0000

President Trump said he would raise import levies for American buyers of South Korean cars, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other items, despite a deal reached in July.

By:Andrew Jeong