Since the arrival of its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines last month, Kenya has been rushing to vaccinate its front-line workers amid a deadly third wave. And, two months after a military coup in Myanmar, troops have killed more than 500 civilians, often simply for demanding the army give power back to elected officials. Also, since its launch in December 2020, the Calma Line has received about 1,300 calls from men in the city of Bogotá, Colombia, where they can speak with a psychologist about their feelings. It's an effort to dismantle machismo — oftentimes linked to domestic violence.

The world needs a coronavirus vaccine that can protect people against emerging variants. But this idea — a vaccine to combat multiple strains — is easier said than done. And, the number of transgender people who hide their identity at work has risen sharply in Britain. Also, a few years ago, banning plastic straws was the hot environmental trend. China is on board and banned disposable plastic in restaurants at the beginning of this year, generating a backlash from bubble-tea fans.

As Jordan’s royal dispute plays out between two top royals, many Jordanians are just trying to get by. And, the EU has announced a quarter billion euros to fund five new refugee camps on the Greek islands, including Lesbos, but some are worried the new sites will not improve conditions for migrants. Also, in Egypt this weekend, 22 mummies were on the move in a multimillion-dollar parade featuring 18 kings and four queens who were transported from the Egyptian Museum to their new resting place — the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

Twenty-three years ago on Friday, the Irish and British governments, along with most of the political parties in Northern Ireland signed the Good Friday accords. Former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern says Brexit has undercut the peace pact. And, migrant women have alleged gender discrimination in US seasonal work. For the first time, they now have a way to file complaints directly with Mexico or the US. Also, as more Venezuelans migrate to Colombia, integration has not been easy. A kickball league in one Colombian border town has eased tensions through cross-cultural communication. 

Myanmar’s military regime has killed more than 500 unarmed civilians since seizing power in a coup eight weeks ago. But the troops aren't just killing protesters. They’re also shooting at medics, nurses and EMTs who try to save the lives of injured protesters. And, across Africa, new daily cases of the coronavirus are rising at an alarming rate. Also, Apple announced that its iPhone digital assistant, Siri, would not by default be a woman's voice.

Brazil’s top military commanders resigned Wednesday following a shuffling of President Jair Bolsonaro’s Cabinet. The political shake-up comes amid a worsening crisis over the coronavirus in the country where emergency rooms are beyond capacity. Also, US President Joe Biden unveiled his $2 trillion infrastructure plan on Wednesday. He framed the eight-year spending plan as a program to create jobs, promote racial equity and tackle the climate crisis. And, while France is locking down to prevent a third wave of the coronavirus, artists are demanding that theaters and live performances return.

Brazil — Latin America’s largest country — is experiencing a deepening crisis with the coronavirus pandemic. As part of The World's regular series of conversations about the pandemic and as a special in our podcast feed, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Marcia Castro, chair of the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who addresses the situation in Brazil.

Explore more of The World's Coronavirus Conversation series: https://www.theworld.org/coronavirus-conversations

A long-awaited report was released on Tuesday outlining findings on the origins of the coronavirus outbreak. And, a top European Union official traveled to Greece this week to announce funding for several new refugee plans on Greek islands. Also, students in a bilingual program at Winnipeg's Isaac Brock School won first prize in an Indigenous language competition for their Cree rendition of the Raffi song “Baby Beluga."

Myanmar’s military celebrated Armed Forces Day on Saturday with a display of tanks, missiles and marches. Meanwhile, its troops were dispatched across the country, quelling a civilian uprising that left more than 100 citizens dead, including young children. And, a much-anticipated report is expected this week, laying out the findings of a World Health Organization joint mission to China. The report says that animals were likely the source of the coronavirus outbreak. Also, the world’s most expensive traffic jam is finally easing up after the Ever Given container ship was dislodged from the Suez Canal in Egypt.

Many families, most from parts of Central America, are being turned back by US officials at the US-Mexico border in the name of a Trump-era policy to block non-US citizens entering the US by land. And, in the week since American and Chinese officials had their frosty meetings in Alaska, tensions between China and North American and European nations have only escalated. Also, a cargo ship the size of the Empire State Building is blocking traffic in the Suez Canal. It’s a nightmare for the global supply chain but a boon for memes on social media.