The World: Latest Stories

Dengue Fever singer Chhom Nimol on developing her voice

Los Angeles' long-running Cambodian psychedelic rock group Dengue Fever released its sixth full-length album, "Ting Mong," nearly three years ago. It was the group's first new release in eight years, and showcased the band in a more relaxed, reflective mode than previous records — a perfect platform for the nimble voice of lead singer Chhom Nimol. As part of the series and podcast Movement, Meklit Hadero talked with Nimol about how she developed that unique voice, singing with her family in a refugee camp and later on Cambodia's first televised music competition.This story originally aired on Oct. 26, 2023.

China and Taiwan hit by Typhoon Bavi

One of the strongest storms so far this year, Typhoon Bavi, slammed into China over the weekend. Cities along its eastern coast were battered by fierce winds and driving rain. Bavi has now moved inland, where it's been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, but in the days when it was rated as Category 5, it left a trail of destruction across the Western Pacific. Ashish Valentine reports from Taipei.

Spain, lacking forest management, bets on suppression to handle wildfires

Spain pledged to be ready for fires this summer after a record number struck last year. But its approach is mostly more of the same: spending to fight, instead of prevent, the fires. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.

After Venezuela's earthquakes, anger over public housing

After two powerful earthquakes devastated Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, anger is growing in some of the hardest-hit communities. Survivors in La Guaira are asking why so many buildings collapsed — including public housing built under Hugo Chávez, the country's late socialist president. Residents say the homes were rushed and unsafe; engineers say the answer is more complicated. The World's Tibisay Zea reports from La Guaira, Venezuela.

How India's caste system persists across the globe

When the earliest form of caste was created in ancient India, it had roots in religion. In the 21st century, it lives on as a secular institution that cuts across race, gender, sexuality and class. Suraj Yengde is one of the world's leading experts in the study of caste. He joins Host Marco Werman to discuss why caste is so tricky, and how it reproduces itself in Indian diaspora communities worldwide.