Sudanese groups sign framework deal to end crisis

The agreement is meant to create a path toward holding democratic elections. [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What The World is following Sudanese groups sign framework deal to end crisis [Sudanese demonstrators attend a rally to demand the return to civilian rule a year after a military coup, Khartoum, Sudan, Nov. 17, 2022.] Credit: Marwan Ali/AP/File photo Sudan Sudan’s ruling generals and the country’s main pro-democracy group have [signed a framework deal]( to end the country's crisis that’s led to protests and unrest since the October 2021 coup. The agreement is meant to create a path toward holding democratic elections. Some rebel groups and reformists, however, have not signed onto the deal. The country has been [without a prime minister]( since the coup. The deal also comes after billions of dollars in international financial assistance was suspended because of the military takeover. China The Chinese government has eased some of its strictest COVID-19 controls, after nationwide protests that included demands for President Xi Jinping’s resignation. Authorities say new variants are weaker, but there is still no indication of when the country’s [“zero-COVID” policy](, that’s confined millions of people to their homes, might end. More than 20 cities — including Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu — have ended the requirements for negative COVID tests on public transport and in other public venues. Meanwhile, some infected [residents with special needs]( will now be allowed to quarantine at home, instead at centralized quarantine locations. United Kingdom The new Oxford word of the year for 2022 is “goblin mode.” It’s the first word of the year to be [decided by a public vote](, chosen in a landslide victory, and it means “a type of behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations.” The increased use of the phrase has been attributed to [three years of the COVID-19 pandemic]( and fears of a possible breakout of World War III. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [Health crisis unfolding in Pakistan even as floodwaters recede]( [Dr. Tasmine Panhwer treats patients at the Dadu-district hospital.]( Credit: Carolyn Beeler/The World Even as waters recede, flooded areas in Pakistan have seen surges in malaria and other [waterborne illnesses](. And, according to UNICEF, more than 1 in 9 children in impacted areas are suffering from life-threatening malnutrition. [As war rages at home, Ukrainian choir heads to Carnegie Hall to celebrate 100 years of ‘Carol of the Bells’]( [Carnegie Hall in New York, May 12, 2020.]( Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/File photo In 1922, a Ukrainian choir sang the song “Shchedryk” at New York’s Carnegie Hall. The tune became a Christmas sensation known as [“Carol of the Bells.”]( On Sunday, a Ukrainian choir once again performed the famous song at Carnegie Hall. We still need 443 listeners to donate $100 to unlock our $67,000 challenge match. Can we count on you? We are so grateful to listeners like Gina from Washington, who shared why she supports The World: “I really appreciate the variety and depth of your international stories. You take me to places I have loved and to so many I will likely never be able to visit. Thank you! Or Tania, from Oregon, who said: “Thanks for sharing news and stories that I do not hear about in other media sources. I especially appreciate the reporting on climate change and arts and culture. The episode on the former Yugoslavia war crimes case was riveting. Sarah Birnbaum channeling David Attenborough made me chuckle in the car. Froggy ice crystals!” If you, like Gina and Tania, rely on The World to take you to new places and into stories you won’t hear anywhere else, please support our nonprofit newsroom by making [making your gift today](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright spot Construction will begin this week on the [world’s largest radio-astronomy observatory]( called the Square Kilometer Array (SKA). The telescopes will be built across sites in Australia and South Africa, with a headquarters in the United Kingdom. Delegations from eight countries leading the project — including astronomers and local communities — will travel to the sites to celebrate the milestone that took 30 years of planning and negotiations. 🔭 [Screenshot of ABC News tweet]( Credit: Twitter In case you missed it on The World --------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX]( and [GBH](.