The World Podcast

The World

PRX
Host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories that remind us just how small our planet really is.
The Strait of Hormuz and its geographical constraints
The US Navy says it is now providing “guidance” to commercial shipping vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. But because of the strait’s geographical constraints, protecting vessels from threats will be far from easy. Also, this year’s Beijing Auto Show was all about SUVs, but these cars are not like other gas guzzlers. And, the Nigerian government is planning to repatriate its citizens amid surging anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa. Plus, Cameroonian singer Irma adds her own twist in a performance accompanied by DRC’s Kinshasa Orchestra.
May 4
49 min
The state of labor as workers celebrate May Day around the world
Today is May Day, when workers mark the anniversary of the birth of the labor movement in the United States. It’s an international movement that sees marches and protests demanding better pay and stronger protections for workers. Also, US prosecutors have indicted the sitting governor of Sinaloa state in Mexico and nine others, alleging ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. And, Colombia's government has announced a controversial plan to kill dozens of hippos that have been roaming freely in one of the country’s most fertile areas, but that have also become a beloved tourist attraction. Plus, in the German village of Lehde, spring is marked when the local post office starts delivering mail on a barge.
May 1
50 min
Hungary's Magyar meets with European officials and makes his mark
Hungary’s incoming prime minister is moving quickly to make his mark. Péter Magyar, who takes office next month, met top European officials in Brussels this week to set out his plans to restore the rule of law in Hungary. Also, after a long political impasse, wealthy oligarch and political outsider Ali al-Zaidi is tapped to become Iraq's new prime minister. And, a look at who the new supreme leader of Iran really is. Plus, on International Jazz Day, The World speaks with Puerto Rican folk musician Fabiola Mendez about her music and the traditional stringed instrument she plays, the cuatro.
Apr 30
50 min
Jet fuel price hike puts airlines and travelers on edge
The war in Iran has caused a massive crunch in the global supply chain, but nothing has been hit harder than jet fuel, with its prices more than doubling. Also, the United Arab Emirates says it will leave OPEC, a consortium of oil producing countries, on May 1. And, Spain is searching people to fill its vacant shepherding jobs. Plus, a look at the future of Chinese EVs in Mexico.
Apr 29
50 min
Coordinated attacks in Mali expose weaknesses of military junta
Mali's military junta is fighting off coordinated attacks across the country, led by Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda-linked fighters, in violence that’s left the country’s defense minister dead. Also, a look at the latest in the world of robotics. And, across Europe, new recycling plants are promising to recycle hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic waste using a technology called chemical — or "advanced" — recycling. Plus, the annual marmalade festival kicks off in the UK.
Apr 28
49 min
Mexico hopes to fix health care access — but can it deliver?
Mexico’s government says it plans to expand access to health care and unify the system, but questions remain about whether those reforms can succeed without more funding and resources. Also, Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla are in the US for a four-day state visit, but their trip comes amid strained relations between London and Washington after the UK resisted pressure to support US and Israeli strikes on Iran. And, landmark trials have begun in Syria that are expected to bring members of the former Assad regime to justice. Plus, a look at record-breaking moments at the London Marathon.
Apr 27
50 min
G7 removes ‘climate change’ from environment talks
A G7 meeting on the environment kicked off in Paris yesterday, but in an effort to avoid a dispute with the Trump administration, two words were barred from the agenda: "climate" and "change." Also, the conflict in northern Cameroon is impacting education, especially for girls. And, smaller, more agile security tech start-ups are playing an increasingly significant role in European military readiness, especially in places like Ukraine. Plus, the Swiss super group Viragezero in Geneva gets ready to hit the road and play summer music festivals across Europe.
Apr 24
49 min
Israeli forces kill Lebanese journalist, injure photographer
Israeli forces have killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and injured her photographer colleague Zeinab Faraj in what officials in Lebanon are calling a war crime. Also, thousands of Afghans who assisted US troops were promised safe passage to the United States, but the Trump administration is now considering sending many who remain in limbo to Democratic Republic of Congo. And, the author of a new book about the late founding leader of North Korea's communist regime Kim Il Sung discusses the nation’s complex relationship with its Christian past. Plus, a story about how one woman redefined home after her son moved halfway across the globe.
Apr 23
49 min
With new EU aid unblocked, Ukraine deepens its turn toward Europe
European Union envoys seem set to unblock a $106 billion loan for Kyiv now that Ukraine is once again sending Russian oil to Europe. Also, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney lays out a strategy for the country to move forward without economic or military support from the United States. And, Spain announced last year that it would grant working papers to hundreds of thousands of immigrants who'd entered the country without permission, but it wasn't prepared for the deluge of applications that soon poured in. Plus, some light-hearted music from the German indy-pop quartet Rikas.
Apr 22
50 min
Some displaced Lebanese families remain in Beirut despite ceasefire
The war in Lebanon has displaced roughly 1 million people from the south of the country. Despite a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, and although some have returned to what’s left of their homes, others say they have no choice but to stay in Beirut. Also, Japan has rolled back restrictions on its sale of weapons abroad, reinterpreting its pacifist post-World War II constitution. And, a new wave of investors is eyeing Venezuela, drawn by the promise of massive natural resources, cheap assets and a potential economic rebound after years of crisis. Plus, a look at the issues of funding, gender and access in the Brazilian film industry.
Apr 21
50 min
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