The upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup is being billed as the biggest edition to date, with host countries Australia and New Zealand hoping to leverage the buzz and ensure the momentum surrounding women’s sports sticks around long after the tournament. Also, Paris is taking another step in fighting climate change by announcing that SUVs and other heavier vehicles will be charged more to park in the city center. And, Iraq is facing its worst water shortage in a century, with 7 million people experiencing reduced access to water. Plus, a Ukrainian filmmaker captures life in the besieged city of Mariupol as most residents fled for safety before it was overrun by Russian forces.

After months of blocking Sweden's efforts to join NATO, Turkey has agreed to support Swedish membership in the Western military alliance. Also, the UN secretary-general warned this week that Sudan is on the brink of a “full-scale civil war.” USAID Chief Samantha Power tells us about global efforts to assist increasingly desperate Sudanese civilians. And, with extreme weather events proliferating across the globe, we discuss how parts of the world are becoming less and less habitable. Plus, a look at a 22-pound waxy chunk of what’s known as ambergris discovered in a sperm whale on Spain’s Canary Islands that could fetch some $550,000.

The Biden administration and Kyiv are making the case that cluster munitions would make a critical weapon in Ukraine's counteroffensive, even though they are widely condemned, and even banned, by many nations for the risks they pose. Also, the health care industry in the US has been at the forefront of labor shortages since the pandemic erupted. But foreign nurses hoping to work in the US continue to face delays in the processing of their green cards. And, the breadmaking industry in Senegal is facing a shortage of wheat imports from Russia, disrupted by the war in Ukraine, so the government is looking for a new plan. Plus, a Venezuelan artist is using bottle caps to create large-scale eco-murals to raise awareness about recycling.

Where is Yevgeny Prigozhin? In a country where simply expressing public dissent can land you in serious trouble, the Russian warlord who just weeks ago marched thousands of fighters toward Moscow is now, apparently, free to roam the country. Also, in the last decade or so, Egypt has gone from military dictatorship to revolution, from fledgling democracy and then back to military dictatorship. And the Spanish military this week used a well-known Michael Jackson song during an awards ceremony and sparked some controversy. It was another reminder to pay attention to the lyrics before you use popular music in an official capacity.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in Beijing for four days of talks on trade, investment and tariffs. We look into how the two superpowers might find common ground amid growing tensions. Also, a new report reveals larger-than-usual profits for top corporations over the past two years, all while people around the world struggled through a cost-of-living crisis. And, the Taliban have given all women’s beauty salons in Afghanistan one month to close down in another blow to women's rights. Plus, the Tour de France bicycling race kicks off. We take a look at the races within the race.

The Israeli military wrapped up its biggest operation in the occupied West Bank in many years. At least 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in the fighting that took place early this week. We'll hear more about what happened and what it could mean for the future. Plus, need to get your US passport renewed this summer? You might need to be patient. And, why is the new "Barbie" movie banned in Vietnam?

Climate change is undeniably bad for the animal kingdom. But some animals are able to adapt — so far — by changing their behaviors or even their bodies. In this special series all about animals, we travel the world to learn about medicine for cats in Turkey, invasive bees in Spain, the status of bullfighting in Colombia and a frog so small it can't jump. Also, a tiny owl was discovered on Príncipe Island in Africa, and now it is endangered. And, we hear the story of two brothers in India who are going out of their way to protect black kites, the most-hated carnivorous raptor in the country. Plus, we remember biologist Roger Payne and his "Songs of the Humpback Whale."

Sports touch so many facets of our lives, and often play a central role in global news about culture, money and politics. This special podcast takes you around the world through the lens of sports, from tennis in Sierra Leone to the NFL in Spain, boxing in Cuba to judo in France. We also hear about racism endured by soccer players in Spain, and the need for an anti-discrimination network for global soccer. Also, how many World Cup stadiums are there in Qatar? And, what do athletes eat at Olympic dining halls? Plus, a small but growing group of extreme athletes in Sonora, Mexico, who are pushing themselves to new heights.

The fatal police shooting of a Black 17-year-old boy outside Paris this week has fueled social divisions along racial lines. What are the issues associated with racism in France, and how do they play out in a society that prides itself on "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité"? And, early into the fire season in Canada, it is already the worst fire year on record. Blazes are particularly bad in eastern Canada, where the forest industry is reeling. Also, the UN General Assembly voted to set up an independent body to investigate and clarify the status of missing persons in Syria. More than 130,000 people are considered missing or "disappeared" in Syria since the start of the country's uprising and civil war. Plus, Tijuana loves Little League baseball.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a crisis Cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon as protests continued in France in response to the police shooting of a teenager. Authorities deployed 40,000 police officers across the country as they brace for a third night of violent demonstrations. Also, historian Samuel Lamontagne, who co-leads the Hip Hop Initiative, tells us about the enduring power of hip-hop in France. And, much of the DEA's early efforts were focused on Southeast Asia, where US troops in Vietnam were using heroin. We hear the story of an investigator who tried to bust up a heroin ring in Thailand and was stymied by the CIA. Plus, the presence and future of the Wagner Group in Africa.