Beginning this Monday, millions worldwide will receive ‘The World,’ The New York Times’ latest newsletter tailored for a global audience. Each weekday, this newsletter promises to deliver essential insights: clear, intelligent analysis of top news stories, a curated selection of the finest Times journalism, and a touch of unexpected delight, all crafted with international readers in mind.
This exciting new offering takes the place of our Morning Briefing newsletters, previously serving readers in Europe and Asia since 2017. While it shares a lineage with ‘The Morning,’ our flagship newsletter for U.S. and Canadian audiences, ‘The World’ distinguishes itself with fresh content including regular video dispatches, a daily quiz, intriguing cultural snippets, and thoughtful recommendations. Consistent with all Times newsletters, its foundation is the unparalleled journalism of The New York Times, supported by hundreds of journalists stationed across more than 170 countries and territories globally.
Leading this ambitious project is Katrin Bennhold, a former Berlin bureau chief whose extensive reporting career at The Times, spanning over a dozen countries since 2004, makes her an ideal host. Katrin’s journalistic portfolio includes deep dives into gender issues, terrorism, the far-right, and populism across Europe, complemented by her experience in podcasts and video reports. As a mother of two teenage daughters and a young son, she deeply understands the demands on a busy reader’s time, and is dedicated to making ‘The World’ a digestible and enriching experience, free from the feeling of being overwhelmed.
We recently sat down with Katrin to discuss what readers can look forward to.
The World is a bold title for a newsletter. While it offers immense scope, it also presents a significant challenge. Can you distill your mission statement for this project into 25 words or less?
My goal for ‘The World’ is to be smart, concise, and genuinely enjoyable. It’s designed as a clear guide to global news, but also, importantly, as an antidote to the constant flood of information. That’s 24 words exactly!
May I add a little more? In our increasingly polarized society, fostering a global conversation is crucial. If ‘The World’ can contribute to that, I’ll consider it a true success!
Your role is ‘host.’ How does that differ from being a writer or editor?
I’ll certainly be writing frequently, particularly on subjects where I have direct reporting experience. However, my primary focus will be to connect with my incredibly talented colleagues across the globe. Having worked at The Times for over two decades, many of them are personal friends. My aim is to introduce them to our readers, transforming them into smart, trusted companions in understanding global events.
Some days will see me interviewing them, whether in video or text format. On other occasions, I’ll pass the spotlight to them entirely. Each day, we’re committed to offering more than just keen news analysis; we’ll also share charming glimpses of daily life and unique insights from our reporters about the regions they inhabit and explore for their assignments.
As a German 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 approach to news?
My life journey has taken me through five countries on three continents. I’m married to a Welshman whose grandfather fought on the opposing side to mine in World War II. At our dinner table, three languages are regularly spoken (and sometimes four, when my husband and I switch to French to keep the kids out of the loop!). The most profound lesson from these experiences has been humility. It’s taught me a deep appreciation for how profoundly history and national narratives shape our individual perceptions of the news.
Growing up in Germany, I was educated to see nationalism as a dangerous force, potentially leading to genocide. In contrast, growing up in Wales, nationalism is a widespread and joyful expression of cultural identity, a playful defiance against perceived English cultural dominance – and a fantastic excuse for loud singing at rugby matches!
Experiencing these cultural differences has enabled me to identify universal patterns that transcend borders. I approach the world through the lens of individual stories, tales of the people I’ve encountered on my journey. My intention is to continue traveling and reporting in this new capacity, ensuring that you, our readers, will also get to ‘meet’ these fascinating individuals through our newsletter.
What was your path into journalism, and what has kept you engaged with it?
My career in journalism began quite by accident. I was embarking on 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. Bloomberg News was seeking a German speaker, and to my surprise (and my mother’s immense pleasure), I found myself working as a television presenter!
That single year stretched into three. However, it wasn’t until The New York Times hired me in 2004, coincidentally the week of the Madrid train attacks, that I committed to journalism permanently. I truly believe there’s no better profession. It offers the unique opportunity to connect with anyone—from interviewing agitated youth to engaging with heads of state. You encounter everyone from tabloid editors to the grieving families of ISIS recruits. You might find yourself immersed with nudists one day, and the next, embedded with neo-Nazis conspiring against democracy. It’s an extraordinary privilege, and incredibly rewarding.
Having dedicated years to migration and gender issues, and producing podcast series on nationalism and populism in Europe (2019) and the far-right in Germany (Day X, 2021), what are the topics currently capturing your greatest interest?
When I began my reporting career, I genuinely believed we were at the ‘end of history.’ However, it quickly became apparent that this was merely a temporary pause. Ever since 9/11, I’ve been diligently documenting the escalating culture wars that have ultimately fueled the populist movements sweeping across numerous Western democracies.
The surge of ethnonationalism and the populist far-right has been central to my recent reporting. Equally significant is the pervasive sense among working-class voters that they have been abandoned by centrist elites. In this context, figures like Trump emerge as a symptom, rather than the sole cause, of a broader societal shift. Nevertheless, his influence undeniably accelerates this transformation, and considering America’s global impact, this trend carries immense significance.
A distinctive element of ‘The World’ will be video segments featuring conversations with our correspondents about their ongoing stories. What’s the rationale behind incorporating video?
Simply put: it’s enjoyable! My colleagues are among the most insightful and fascinating individuals I know, and I genuinely relish our conversations. Beyond that, there’s a crucial public service aspect: to effectively inform and empower younger generations, we must meet them on their preferred platforms, which are increasingly dominated by short-form video. This is a lesson I’ve learned firsthand from my two teenage daughters.
News fatigue and the weariness of extensive reading are very real challenges. Video offers a highly efficient method for grasping complex stories quickly. A skilled correspondent can convey a wealth of information in just three minutes.
The newsletter introduces several other new features. Which one stands out as your personal favorite?
I particularly enjoy ‘Around the World,’ a segment where we delve into what people in specific 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 political news. Our aim isn’t just to inform readers, but also to bring a smile to their faces!
Another favorite is ‘Ask a Correspondent.’ Kicking off this feature is Peter Baker, our esteemed chief White House correspondent. Readers can submit their questions about President Trump and global affairs, and Peter will provide answers in a future newsletter.
‘The World’ will arrive in most inboxes by 6:30 a.m. What does your personal morning news routine look like?
My day typically begins by tuning into the BBC’s Global News Podcast; it’s an incredibly efficient way to get a truly worldwide overview. During the school run with my son, I often catch up on ‘The Daily’ or ‘Ezra Klein,’ or enjoy a German podcast called ‘Die Lage der Nation’.
Living in the U.K., I also make an effort to follow ‘The Rest is Politics,’ though it’s not always possible. Once I’m at my desk, my routine involves checking The Times’ homepage and quickly scanning various newsletters. I find Adam Tooze’s newsletter particularly insightful for geopolitics and economics, and Azeem Azhar provides brilliant analysis on AI and other technological advancements.
How do your children stay informed about current events, and what insights have you gained from their news consumption habits regarding our work?
I strongly encourage my children to watch ‘Logo,’ a German news program that excels at explaining current events to kids. My daughters also receive WhatsApp alerts from The New York Times, BBC, and Wales Online. However, in all honesty, they primarily consume news via TikTok and YouTube. They’ve explicitly stated they won’t read my newsletter (“Reading is not my thing,” my 13-year-old declared), but will watch the videos. This personal insight was a significant motivator for integrating video into ‘The World’ from its inception.
What’s a unique superpower of yours that you’d never include on a professional resume?
I can perform a backflip off a five-meter diving board!