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Strike on Venezuela gang leader may open door to mineral wealth

The US Southern Command airstrike on a compound in Venezuela last week killed Tren de Aragua leader Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias “Niño Guerrero.” Guerrero was hiding for many years in a vast strip of land in southern Venezuela, rich with gold and cobalt. Phil Gunson, Caracas-based analyst for the International Crisis Group, tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler that eliminating Guerrero may be one “first, small step” to opening up the mining region to US interests.

The US's miraculous World Cup win came thanks to a man from Haiti

This year, Haiti’s national team will be in the World Cup for only the second time ever, having last participated in 1974. However, the country’s World Cup history is more interesting than that. In 1950, as the US vied for the World Cup, it was led by Haitian Joe Gaetjens. Gaetjens scored the only goal of the game, leading the US to a miraculous 1-0 over the powerhouse team from England. Reporter Amy Bracken has the story.

A brief history of the West's weirdest music

Most songs that reach the top of the charts have a few traits in common: They are a few minutes long, they're played on familiar instruments, and you can dance to them. But what if a composer doesn't care about popularity or dancing? That's when they get into mischief. That's the theme of a new book, "The Madman's Orchestra: The Greatest Curiosities from the History of Music." Author Edward Brooke-Hitching joins Host Marco Werman to take us on a tour through some of history's musical oddities.

Soccer underdogs undermining world's best at World Cup

Most of the way through the opening round of the World Cup, a slew of ties is injecting hope into teams not expected to get terribly far in the tournament. From Iran to Qatar to Japan to Cape Verde, underdogs aren't winning — but they aren't losing either. And some historically dominant teams are feeling stunned. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

The world sees a growing number of icebergs

Greenland's melting glaciers are contributing to rising sea levels. And, they're also reshaping deep-sea ecosystems on the ocean floor, according to a new study in the journal Nature. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

At G7 summit, 'middle power moment' on display, but also hurdles for cohesion

Earlier this year, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged countries caught between the world's superpowers to work together and forge a "third path." Now, as leaders gather for the G7 summit in France, questions remain about whether Carney can translate that vision into real influence. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, about whether this so-called "middle power moment" has momentum.

'One man's trash is another man's treasure'

"AWAY" is a three-minute audio piece created by Tanzanian audio visual storyteller Edgar Hudson for the Audio Flux audio contest. It's a delightful musing on how one man's trash is another's treasure, and nothing really gets thrown "away." Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Hudson about his inspirations for the piece.

Some updates on recent news

We bring you updates on some of the news stories that we've been covering over the past week.

Inside a school bus with Scottish fans headed to the World Cup

More than a thousand supporters of Scotland’s national soccer team packed into a fleet of school buses for a 45-minute trip from Providence, Rhode Island, to "Boston Stadium" to watch their squad compete in the FIFA World Cup for the first time in nearly three decades. The unlikely transportation method began as a novel way to save money as local officials and FIFA organizers have come under mounting criticism over steep prices for trains and buses to the international sporting event. The World's Jeremy Siegel joined the Scots onboard.

How global forces helped shape American democracy

Two-hundred and fifty years ago, the American revolution sent shockwaves around the globe. At the same time, events taking place outside the US impacted how democracy grew in America. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with historian Heather Cox Richardson about how the contradictions inherent in the American experiment have played out on the global stage.

New research maps vast fungal networks beneath our feet

For the first time, scientists have mapped the vast networks of fungi that run beneath the Earth's surface. If you stretched them out, they would run more than a billion times longer than the distance from the Earth to the sun. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Professor Katie Field, who worked on the study, about why these networks are so important to plant and ecosystem health.

Iran's nuclear ambitions, born under the shah

Many people assume Iran's nuclear program began after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. But in his new book, "Iran and the Bomb," author Sina Azodi traces the country’s nuclear program to the early days of the Cold War. Azodi joins The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler to discuss the long complex history of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and argues that knowledge of how to build a nuclear weapon “can’t be bombed away.”

Iranians reflect on a potential US deal

During the initial phase of the war between Iran and the US, some Iranians hoped that the attacks would lead to regime change in Iran. After decades of protesting the government of the Islamic Republic without success, they thought that a foreign military intervention could pave the way to freedom. Now, with a potential deal between the two sides in the works, Iranians reflect on what the war achieved. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

David Hockney, British artist who defined LA's aesthetic, dies at 88

British painter David Hockney was one of the most famous living painters of the past half century. Known for his colorful, sun-soaked depictions of Los Angeles, he was 88 when he died. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Mark Rozzo, writer with Vanity Fair, about his life and legacy.

Switzerland weighs world's first population cap

Switzerland could become the first country in the world to put a legal cap on its population. In a referendum this weekend, voters will decide whether to limit the country's population to 10 million people. It currently stands at 9.1 million. Supporters say the move would ease housing shortages and reduce pressure on public transport but critics warn it could be disastrous for the Swiss economy. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Spinal cord injury treatment in Brazil offers path to recovery

Over 15 million people around the world live with a spinal cord injury, according to the World Health Organization. It’s a lifelong diagnosis that can permanently affect a patient's mobility. In Brazil, an experimental treatment has yielded promising results, high hopes and legal challenges to get access to clinical trials. The World’s Julia França reports on the treatment, and the patients caught between hope for recovery and uncertainty over when, or whether, they will be able to access it.

Families of Air India crash victims still without answers a year later

Friday marks one year since an Air India flight bound for London crashed just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people. Only one passenger survived. A much-anticipated report from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau did not arrive on the anniversary, with investigators saying the probe remains ongoing. No timeline has been set for a final report. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks to Hassan Shahidi, president of the Flight Safety Foundation.

Mexico opens World Cup with victory and celebrations

Mexico opened the World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa. But for many fans in Mexico City, the celebration unfolded far from the stadium. At the the city's main public squares, one of the biggest in the world, thousands gathered for a giant public watch party — braving heat, confusing access, nearby protests and even a heavy downpour. The result was a messy, joyful, rain-soaked version of the opener, where fans without tickets turned the capital’s main square into their own stadium. The World's Tibisay Zea reports from Mexico City.

Robot magician denied entry into magicians' club

D4RYL is a small humanoid robot that assists magician David Penn on stage. But while audiences are impressed with the robot's tricks, London's famous Magic Circle magicians' club says D4RYL is not eligible for membership.

Living in the shadow of Indonesia's Mount Merapi

About 20 years ago, farmers living near the Mount Merapi volcano in Indonesia built a radio station to keep their neighbors informed about impending eruptions. That station has now shut down as listeners instead turn to their phones. But not everyone has — or wants — a smartphone. Naina Rao reports on how locals are staying informed.

'Life gave me lemons, and I'm pickling them'

During citrus harvest season in southern Turkey, reporter Durrie Bouscaren found herself with 10 pounds of lemons. After running out of sweet dessert recipes, a colleague suggested making pickled lemons — sending her on a quest to learn about the art and history of Turkish pickling.

This story originally aired on Oct. 20, 2023.

Trapped in an era of forever wars

A new report out this week shows conflicts between states have now surged to their highest level since World War II. Meanwhile, protracted conflict in the Middle East suggests the world may be entering into an era in which states increasingly remain in perpetual confrontation without crossing into all-out war.  The World’s Host Marco Werman talks with Monica Duffy Toft, director of the Center for Strategic Studies at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, about the current state of global conflict.

Border conflicts are common. Here's a rare resolution.

Global conflict is increasing — more than at any time since World War II, according to some estimates. Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are driving the surge. But there are exceptions to the grim headlines. Last year, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in Central Asia signed a deal that ended a decades-old border conflict. From southern Kyrgyzstan, Levi Bridges has this story of two countries making peace.

Do social media bans work?

Australia is now about six months into a social media ban that prohibits children under 16 from using certain platforms. But whether or not that ban is working is still up for debate, as kids have resisted, found work arounds or not been kicked off at all. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with author and psychology professor Angela Duckworth about why bans may not be the best way to get kids off of social media.

A view from South Africa on Day 1 of the FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup Host Mexico will play in the first match, going toe-to-toe — or cleat to cleat — with South Africa. The visiting squad is making its first appearance at the men's World Cup in 16 years. Host Marco Werman hears from Kamogelo Ndlovu, a soccer fan and sports journalist in Johannesburg who says there's not as much hype in South Africa as he had hoped.

How gender shapes a global walk

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has been walking around the globe on foot for over 13 years. One facet of life that he encounters everywhere he goes is gender. He joins Carolyn Beeler to talk about the importance of walking alongside women in his travels, and what's missing from his project when social barriers make speaking to women difficult.

A season of shrine festivals kick off in Japan

Summertime in Japan means festivals to deities, and each individual shrine hosts its own. A highlight of the season is happening now: a 10-day festival in Tokyo, which will culminate in a parade on Friday, featuring the god of fortune riding a shrimp. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have more.

Teaching the American Revolution abroad

As part of The World's Chasing Democracy series, about American democracy on the world stage 250 years after the country was founded, we look at how the colonies' fight for independence is taught elsewhere, namely, in the countries whose authority was defeated: England, France and Spain. Reporter Gerry Hadden has our story.

What's fueling attacks on immigrants in Belfast neighborhoods?

Violent anti-immigrant riots erupted in Belfast last night in Northern Ireland, in response to a viral video showing a stabbing attack perpetrated by a Sudanese national. Masked protesters burnt down houses and torched cars overnight, sending some families fleeing, and others into hiding. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joins Host Marco Werman with the latest.

What it means to 'Eat Like a Sardinian'

It's not uncommon for people in Sardinia to live to be 100 years old, and some have attributed their famous longevity to the foods commonly eaten on the island. Italian chef Francesco Mattana is out with a new cookbook, "Eat Like a Sardinian: Live to 100." Mattana grew up in Sardinia, but now lives most of the time in London. He came on The World to talk about his book with Host Marco Werman.