Our World: The week of Nov. 2, 2026

Nov. 02, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ET | 2 min read

Success story for the Seychelles’ giant tortoises
A recent survey reported by The Guardian shows that Seychelles’ Aldabra giant tortoises have made a remarkable recovery. The population now exceeds 180,000 individuals on the uninhabited Aldabra Atoll, up from roughly 100,000 in the 1990s and just 1,000 in the late 19th century. Today, wild giant tortoises are found in only one other location—the Galápagos Islands—where the numbers are far smaller. Despite this progress, researchers warn that the species still confronts growing threats from climate change, drought, and invasive species, according to co‑author Dave Hudson. – Ryan Lenora Brown

Some BBC broadcasts suspended in Afghanistan
The Taliban have halted BBC FM‑radio transmissions inside Afghanistan. The broadcaster was the last remaining international news outlet operating in the country after two U.S. networks were expelled in 2022. BBC FM programming reached about 20 % of Afghan adults each week, according to BBC News. The Taliban cited “repeated violations” as the reason for the suspension, while the BBC said it continues to report “fairly and independently” via shortwave, medium‑wave, satellite and online platforms. – Tim Backshall

Central African Republic schools teaching Russian
As Russia deepens its engagement with African nations, it has signed an agreement with the Central African Republic (CAR) to introduce Russian language instruction in three local schools starting from the sixth grade. The deal includes providing textbooks and teaching support. Since 2017, about 1,500 Russian mercenaries known as the Africa Corps have been deployed to support CAR’s president, Faustin‑Archange Touadéra, against rebel coalitions. This initiative reflects Moscow’s strategy of complementing military assistance with cultural and educational soft power. – Fred Weir

“A global benchmark for prison security”
Costa Rican President Laura Fernández described a newly opened maximum‑security prison near San José as “a global benchmark for prison security.” The facility can house up to 5,100 inmates, representing roughly one‑fifth of the country’s total prison population. Ms. Fernández announced a tougher‑on‑crime approach, inspired by El Salvador’s stringent measures against drug gangs under President Nayib Bukele. While Costa Rica has long been regarded as one of Latin America’s safest nations, recent years have seen a rise in violent crime. – Matthew Bell

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