Starting this Monday morning, millions globally will begin receiving “The World,” the groundbreaking new newsletter from The New York Times, crafted specifically for our international audience. Five days a week, it will provide essential insights to kickstart their day: sharp, clear analysis of major news, the finest New York Times journalism, and a sprinkle of delightful, globally-relevant surprises.
This new publication steps in for our popular Morning Briefing newsletters, which have served readers in Europe and Asia since 2017. While it shares some DNA with “The Morning,” our flagship newsletter for U.S. and Canadian audiences, “The World” is a truly fresh offering. Expect engaging video dispatches, a daily quiz, fascinating cultural snippets, and thoughtful recommendations. Like all our newsletters, it’s built on the strength of New York Times journalism, drawing especially on the expertise of hundreds of journalists based outside the U.S. who reported from over 170 countries and territories last year.
Leading this exciting venture is Katrin Bennhold, a seasoned journalist and former Berlin bureau chief who has covered more than a dozen countries since joining The Times in 2004. Katrin’s extensive work includes in-depth reporting on gender, terrorism, the far right, and populism across Europe. She’s also contributed to numerous podcasts and video reports. As a mother of two teenage daughters and a 9-year-old son, she understands the demands of a busy life and is dedicated to making “The World” a newsletter you can absorb without feeling swamped.
I talked to Katrin about what readers can expect.
“The World” is a very ambitious name for a newsletter. It offers immense scope, but also presents a significant challenge. Can you distill your mission statement for this project into 25 words or fewer?
My aim is for “The World” to be smart, concise, and truly enjoyable. It’s meant to be a clear guide to global news, and perhaps even more importantly, a genuine antidote to the information overload we all face. That’s 24 words exactly!
May I add just a few more thoughts? In our current polarized climate, fostering a global conversation is crucial. If “The World” can help achieve that, I’ll be incredibly pleased.
You hold the title of “host.” How does this role distinguish itself from being a traditional writer or editor?
While I’ll be writing frequently, particularly on subjects where I have direct reporting experience, my primary focus will be connecting with my exceptional colleagues across the globe. After over two decades at The Times, many have become close friends. My goal is to introduce them to our readers as equally smart and trustworthy companions.
Some days, you’ll see me interview them in video or read our conversations in text. On other occasions, I’ll pass the spotlight to them entirely. Every day, expect not only keen news analysis but also delightful glimpses into daily life and unique insights from reporters about the regions they cover and their experiences on assignment.
As a German national living in Wales, with extensive reporting experience across Europe for a New York-based news organization, how do your diverse background and experiences influence your perspective on current events?
I’ve called five countries across three continents home. I’m married to a Welshman whose grandfather fought on the opposite side in World War II from my own. At our dinner table, we regularly speak three languages – sometimes even four, when my husband and I switch to French to keep the kids guessing! The most profound lesson this has taught me is humility. It’s truly opened my eyes to how deeply history and national narratives color people’s perceptions of the news.
Growing up in Germany, as I did, instills a strong belief that nationalism is inherently dangerous, potentially leading to atrocities like genocide. However, in Wales, nationalism is everywhere; it’s a vibrant, joyful assertion against perceived English cultural dominance — and a fantastic reason to belt out songs at rugby matches!
Embracing these differences has allowed me to spot overarching patterns that transcend national borders. I view the world through a collection of human stories – the stories of people I’ve encountered on my journeys. I intend to continue traveling and reporting in this role, bringing these narratives directly to you through the newsletter.
What initially drew you into the field of journalism, and what has kept you passionate about it ever since?
My path to journalism was entirely unplanned. I was deep into a Ph.D. in economics when my then-boyfriend (now husband) secured a job in London. I decided to take a year-long sabbatical to join him. Coincidentally, Bloomberg News was seeking a German speaker, and almost before I knew it – much to my mother’s absolute joy – I found myself working as a television presenter!
That one-year break stretched into three. However, it was my hiring by The New York Times in 2004 – during the week of the Madrid train attacks – that solidified my commitment to journalism. Truly, there’s no better profession. You have the unique opportunity to connect with anyone, from interviewing rioting youth to engaging with heads of state. You might meet tabloid editors or the families of ISIS recruits. You can find yourself embedded with nudists or observing a group of neo-Nazis plotting to destabilize democracy. It’s an immense privilege, and profoundly enjoyable.
Having closely tracked migration and gender issues for years, and having hosted podcast series on European nationalism and populism in 2019, and “Day X” on Germany’s far-right in 2021, what are the key topics that currently capture your interest the most?
When I began my reporting career, I genuinely believed we were at “the end of history.” However, that proved to be merely a short respite. Ever since 9/11, I’ve been documenting the escalating culture wars that ultimately fueled the populist movements now prevalent in numerous Western democracies.
The surge of ethnonationalism and the populist far right has been central to my recent reporting. Equally significant is the widespread sentiment among working-class voters that they’ve been abandoned by centrist elites. In this context, figures like Trump emerge as a symptom, rather than the sole cause, of a broader cultural shift. Nevertheless, his influence undeniably accelerates this transformation, and given America’s global standing, its implications are profound.
A distinctive element of “The World” will be video segments where you converse with our correspondents about their ongoing stories. What’s the driving force behind incorporating video?
Simply put: it’s incredibly enjoyable! My colleagues are among the most brilliant and fascinating individuals I know, and I genuinely love engaging with them. Beyond that, there’s a vital public service aspect: to effectively inform and empower young people, we must meet them on their preferred platforms, and those are increasingly short-form video channels. As a mother of two teenage daughters, I experience this reality daily.
News fatigue and the exhaustion of constant reading are undeniable challenges. Video offers a highly efficient method for grasping a story quickly. You can gain significant understanding from a knowledgeable correspondent in just three minutes.
What other new features can readers look forward to in the newsletter, and which one stands out as your personal favorite?
I’m particularly fond of “Around the World,” a segment where we explore what people in different countries are listening to, eating, or wearing. It brings a welcome touch of lightness to the report and often reveals more about a place than simply tracking parliamentary affairs. Our aim isn’t just to make readers more informed, but also to bring a smile to their faces!
Also, we have “Ask a Correspondent.” Kicking things off is Peter Baker, our esteemed chief White House correspondent. You can submit your questions about President Trump and global affairs via this form, and Peter will address them in a future newsletter.
Given that “The World” will arrive in most inboxes by 6:30 a.m., could you describe your own personal morning news routine?
My day starts with the BBC’s Global News Podcast – it’s an incredibly efficient and genuinely worldwide overview. During my son’s school run, I often tune into “The Daily” or “Ezra Klein,” or a German podcast I particularly enjoy, “Die Lage der Nation.”
Living in the U.K., I also make an effort to follow “The Rest is Politics,” though I don’t always succeed. Once I’m at my desk, I catch up on The Times’ homepage and quickly scan several newsletters. Adam Tooze offers an excellent perspective on geopolitics and economics, while Azeem Azhar provides brilliant insights on AI and other technological advancements.
From what sources do your children consume news, and what insights have you gained from their habits regarding how we deliver journalism?
I strongly encourage my children to watch “Logo,” a German news program that excels at explaining current events for younger audiences. My daughters also receive WhatsApp alerts from The New York Times, BBC, and Wales Online. However, their primary news sources are, truthfully, TikTok and YouTube. They’ve explicitly stated they won’t read my newsletter (“Reading is not my thing,” my 13-year-old declared), but they will watch the videos. This personal insight was a key motivation for embedding video into “The World” from its inception.
What’s a hidden superpower of yours that would never find a place on a professional résumé?
I can perform a backflip off a five-meter diving board!