The Trump administration has made it a priority to eliminate DEI programs across the United States and even overseas. It’s put some private companies on notice and warned businesses working with US embassies and consulates to renounce their inclusion policies. But many of these groups are resisting and fighting back.

We tend to think of conversation as speech, but obviously listening is also a crucial part of every conversation — in theory, anyway. In practice, however, things tend to unfold quite differently, especially when conversations escalate. Joining Host Marco Werman, journalist Emily Kasriel delves into her new book about what might change if more politicians, pundits and everyday people at least tried to listen more.

Cases of the recently identified Covid-19 variant NB 1.8.1. are rising. Some have dubbed the variant “razor blade throat” for one of its notably painful symptoms. The World Health Organization says it’s monitoring the variant. The World’s Marco Werman spoke to Michael Mina, an epidemiologist and immunologist based in Boston.

In France, 25 people were recently charged over a series of kidnappings and attempted abductions.

The most popular foreign playwright in Russia is London-born Irish playwright Martin McDonagh. He is known in the US as the award-winning Hollywood director and screenwriter behind films such as “In Bruges,” ” Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.” In Russia, though, McDonagh is known for his plays, which are frequently put on in theaters throughout the country.