The World

Upcoming Trump-Putin meeting

<div>When President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on July 16, they will meet alone — without staff or advisors. Will this first official meeting accomplish anything of substance? Host Marco Werman finds out more from reporter Charles Maynes in Russia.</div>

2018071201.mp3

Soviet visuals

<div>Helsinki holds a special place for Washington and Moscow to find ground — common or otherwise — going back to the Soviet era. During the era of Cold War tensions there were intriguing visuals that today stir nostalgia. Host Marco Werman speaks with Moscow-born Varia Bortsova, who created a Twitter account called Soviet Visuals, which supplies a steady stream of videos, posters, photos and objects capturing various aspects of Soviet life.</div>

2018_0712_02.mp3

Paraguay’s #MeToo

<div>In deeply conservative Paraguay, it took a pop star sacrificing her career and a mother nearly going to jail for murder to convince women they shouldn’t tolerate domestic violence.</div>

2018_0712_03.mp3

Trump in Britain

<div>President Donald Trump has begun a four-day visit to the UK, his first as president. Large protests are expected, but there are also plenty of people who welcome and support him. Host Marco Werman speaks with The World's Matthew Bell in London.</div>

2018071204.mp3

Croatia celebrates

<div>Croatia defeated England in the World Cup semifinals, and the whole country celebrated its underdog win. Host Marco Werman talks to Croatian writer and translator Ivan Sršen about why this win feels bigger than football for many Croatians.</div>

2018_0712_05.mp3

Ditching plastic straws

<div>Starbucks announced plans to discontinue using plastic straws at its 28,000 locations worldwide. It's a positive development for the environment. But is it worthy of celebration? The World's Jason Margolis reports.</div>

2018071206.mp3

Lightning strikes in Nepal

<p>How dangerous lightning strikes are in Nepal. Roughly 100 people die from lightning there each year/</p>

2018_0712_07.mp3

Cold Calls

<div> </div><div>Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a historic peace deal ending 20 years of conflict. With phone services now restored, Ethiopian and Eritrean well-wishing strangers are calling each other. Ehiopian cold caller Roman Tafessework Gomeju speaks to Marco Werman from Addis Ababa.</div>