Host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories that remind us just how small our planet really is. The World, the radio program, is heard each weekday on over 300 public stations across North America.

It was just one Saturday night — on Oct. 24 — but the group of around 500 mostly under-aged teenagers, calling themselves "Blocus" managed to loot several downtown stores in Barcelona, Spain. What worries police more is the group's online presence and its calls for more ransacking. On Halloween, hundreds of police kept another call to chaos from materializing, but at a high cost. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

It was just one Saturday night — on Oct. 24 — but the group of around 500 mostly under-aged teenagers, calling themselves "Blocus" managed to loot several downtown stores in Barcelona, Spain. What worries police more is the group's online presence and its calls for more ransacking. On Halloween, hundreds of police kept another call to chaos from materializing, but at a high cost. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

Tiny Spanish spinoff of French student protests sows chaos

Since World War II, the US has built up the world’s most powerful navy. But in recent years, China has been playing a game of catch-up and it now boasts the world’s largest military fleet. Oriana Skylar Mastro discusses the situation. She's been an adviser on China strategy at the Pentagon and spoke to the World's Host Marco Werman in her civilian capacity, as the director of the Indo-Pacific Policy Lab at Stanford University.

Since World War II, the US has built up the world’s most powerful navy. But in recent years, China has been playing a game of catch-up and it now boasts the world’s largest military fleet. Oriana Skylar Mastro discusses the situation. She's been an adviser on China strategy at the Pentagon and spoke to the World's Host Marco Werman in her civilian capacity, as the director of the Indo-Pacific Policy Lab at Stanford University.

China's rapid naval buildup is challenging US dominance at sea

On Sunday, Mexicans celebrated "Día de muertos," an annual holiday when families honor deceased relatives. One popular character always shows up: La Catrina, a fancy skeleton lady wearing an elegant dress and a flowered hat. In 2024, The World’s Tibisay Zea went to a big parade in Mexico City, to get the story behind La Catrina's starring role in the seasonal festivities.This story originally aired on Nov. 1, 2024.

On Sunday, Mexicans celebrated "Día de muertos," an annual holiday when families honor deceased relatives. One popular character always shows up: La Catrina, a fancy skeleton lady wearing an elegant dress and a flowered hat. In 2024, The World’s Tibisay Zea went to a big parade in Mexico City, to get the story behind La Catrina's starring role in the seasonal festivities.
This story originally aired on Nov. 1, 2024.

How 'La Catrina' became a symbol for Mexico's Day of the Dead

Twenty-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest driver in F1 history to be crowned champion. Giles Richards, sports reporter for The Guardian was in the crowd in Mexico City’s Hermanos Rodríguez Autódromo for Sunday’s race. Richards tells The World’s Host Marco Werman that Antonelli is an “impossibly young” champion and destined for greatness.

Twenty-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest driver in F1 history to be crowned champion. Giles Richards, sports reporter for The Guardian was in the crowd in Mexico City’s Hermanos Rodríguez Autódromo for Sunday’s race. Richards tells The World’s Host Marco Werman that Antonelli is an “impossibly young” champion and destined for greatness.

Antonelli clinches F1 championship five years after first race

When Israelis went to the polls last week, the livelihoods of Palestinians living under occupation was not a top concern for most Jewish voters. But the outcome of the vote will have a direct impact on Palestinians who live in the West Bank and Gaza. The World's Carolyn Beeler reports from a village outside Ramallah on what the election results mean for Palestinians in the occupied territories.

When Israelis went to the polls last week, the livelihoods of Palestinians living under occupation was not a top concern for most Jewish voters. But the outcome of the vote will have a direct impact on Palestinians who live in the West Bank and Gaza. The World's Carolyn Beeler reports from a village outside Ramallah on what the election results mean for Palestinians in the occupied territories.

How Israel's election will impact Palestinians in the West Bank

Climate change is not just an environmental problem; it can be a mental health one, as well. A new study of 20,000 adults in Nigeria's northern states, where most people make a living from farming and herding, explores the links between climate change, poverty and drug use. The World's Host Marco Werman spoke with with the lead author of this study, Abdullahi Abdulwahab Yakubu, a senior lecturer from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria.

Climate change is not just an environmental problem; it can be a mental health one, as well. A new study of 20,000 adults in Nigeria's northern states, where most people make a living from farming and herding, explores the links between climate change, poverty and drug use. The World's Host Marco Werman spoke with with the lead author of this study, Abdullahi Abdulwahab Yakubu, a senior lecturer from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria.

Climate change can cause mental health struggles, Nigerian study shows

The people of Rjukan, a town in Norway, live in a valley so deep, surrounded by mountains so high that the sun used to not reach them from late October until March. But 13 years ago, three giant mirrors were installed on the mountainside, reflecting sunlight down into the town square even during the darkest months. From our partners at Deutsche Welle, DW, reporter Lars Bevanger spoke to the man behind the idea.

The people of Rjukan, a town in Norway, live in a valley so deep, surrounded by mountains so high that the sun used to not reach them from late October until March. But 13 years ago, three giant mirrors were installed on the mountainside, reflecting sunlight down into the town square even during the darkest months. From our partners at Deutsche Welle, DW, reporter Lars Bevanger spoke to the man behind the idea.

Getting out of the dark takes ingenuity — and some really big mirrors

El Salvador has sent 2,000 troops to Haiti to rescue four military technicians who disappeared in a gang ambush. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele says his forces know how to defeat gangs, pointing to his controversial crackdown at home. But Haiti's gangs are heavily armed and control much of the capital. While some Haitians welcome the intervention, others fear civilian casualties and question whether military force alone can bring lasting security to the country. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

El Salvador has sent 2,000 troops to Haiti to rescue four military technicians who disappeared in a gang ambush. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele says his forces know how to defeat gangs, pointing to his controversial crackdown at home. But Haiti's gangs are heavily armed and control much of the capital. While some Haitians welcome the intervention, others fear civilian casualties and question whether military force alone can bring lasting security to the country. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

El Salvador sends 2,000 troops to Haiti, raising hopes and fears

In Turkey, families commemorate their loved ones by sharing lokma — a small, deep-fried desert — and by saying prayers for the departed. Lokmaci Baba, dubbed Papa Doughnut, rolls through Istanbul with his lokma-mobile when summoned by those who lost someone. Reporter Dorian Jones joined him to uncover the story behind  this heartfelt ritual.

In Turkey, families commemorate their loved ones by sharing lokma — a small, deep-fried desert — and by saying prayers for the departed. Lokmaci Baba, dubbed Papa Doughnut, rolls through Istanbul with his lokma-mobile when summoned by those who lost someone. Reporter Dorian Jones joined him to uncover the story behind  this heartfelt ritual.

Sharing sweet, deep-fried dough to remember loved ones

Almost two years after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Syrians in the diaspora are still processing all they lost under more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family. You can hear much of that in the music of Tawabil, a trio based in Berlin. Tawabil is composed of a German guitarist and two artists who emigrated from Syria. From our archives, Alexa Dvorson sent us this story from Berlin.

Almost two years after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Syrians in the diaspora are still processing all they lost under more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family. You can hear much of that in the music of Tawabil, a trio based in Berlin. Tawabil is composed of a German guitarist and two artists who emigrated from Syria. From our archives, Alexa Dvorson sent us this story from Berlin.

Trio in Berlin plays music suffused with sounds from Syria

A new survey of the Canadian accent from McGill University has found that the Canadian accent is shifting closer to the American accent. The World's Host Marco Werman learned more from the survey's co-investigator Claire Henderson.

A new survey of the Canadian accent from McGill University has found that the Canadian accent is shifting closer to the American accent. The World's Host Marco Werman learned more from the survey's co-investigator Claire Henderson.

The Canadian accent is changing — and sounding a bit more American

A quick update from Cambodia, where hundreds of people have been evicted from their dream home and forced to walk the proverbial plank. The dream home being the Villa Vie Odyssey, a Florida-based ship, that had been on a world-wide cruise, now indefinitely grounded.

A quick update from Cambodia, where hundreds of people have been evicted from their dream home and forced to walk the proverbial plank. The dream home being the Villa Vie Odyssey, a Florida-based ship, that had been on a world-wide cruise, now indefinitely grounded.

Update on evicted cruise ship residents

Through hundreds of hours of interviews with North Korean defectors, author Jieun Baek has pieced together insights into the "Hermit Kingdom’s" privileged class of elites. In a new essay for Foreign Affairs, Baek explores the stifled discontent growing among the cadre of high ranking officials running the country for the Kim family. As Baek tells Host Marco Werman, the Kims have created a system of a few carrots and many, brutal sticks to keep the elites in check.

Through hundreds of hours of interviews with North Korean defectors, author Jieun Baek has pieced together insights into the "Hermit Kingdom’s" privileged class of elites. In a new essay for Foreign Affairs, Baek explores the stifled discontent growing among the cadre of high ranking officials running the country for the Kim family. As Baek tells Host Marco Werman, the Kims have created a system of a few carrots and many, brutal sticks to keep the elites in check.

The growing discontent among North Korean elites

The Norwegian village of Longyearbyen is one of the most remote settlements in the world. It's located on the Svalbard archipelago, a collection of islands way up in the Arctic Circle. Not an easy place to live, and now there's a new challenge for the 2,600 residents there: They've been told not to drink the tap water after tests found higher than average levels of heavy metals and contaminants in the local water supply. The suspected cause: the area's thawing permafrost due to climate change. Marjolaine Verret is an expert on permafrost at the University Centre in Svalbard. She spoke with Host Carolyn Beeler about what's going on.

The Norwegian village of Longyearbyen is one of the most remote settlements in the world. It's located on the Svalbard archipelago, a collection of islands way up in the Arctic Circle. Not an easy place to live, and now there's a new challenge for the 2,600 residents there: They've been told not to drink the tap water after tests found higher than average levels of heavy metals and contaminants in the local water supply. The suspected cause: the area's thawing permafrost due to climate change. Marjolaine Verret is an expert on permafrost at the University Centre in Svalbard. She spoke with Host Carolyn Beeler about what's going on.

Norway village told not to drink the water

Around 1 million Ukrainian refugees, most of them women and children, have been living in Poland since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It's a vulnerable group: According to a report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Ukrainian women who have received protection in EU countries are frequently subjected to physical, sexual and psychological violence. Now, in Poland, the situation is becoming even more fraught as support for Ukrainians begins to erode. Adam Easton visited Martynka — a shelter for female refugees escaping gender-based violence in the Polish city of Krakow.

Around 1 million Ukrainian refugees, most of them women and children, have been living in Poland since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It's a vulnerable group: According to a report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Ukrainian women who have received protection in EU countries are frequently subjected to physical, sexual and psychological violence. Now, in Poland, the situation is becoming even more fraught as support for Ukrainians begins to erode. Adam Easton visited Martynka — a shelter for female refugees escaping gender-based violence in the Polish city of Krakow.

A shelter worker talks about protecting Ukrainian women

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is on a years-long journey around the world, mostly on foot, called the Out of Eden Walk. He recently made a stop in the remote Alaskan village of Kake, population: 543. Many people who live in Kake, and villages like it, come from urban settings seeking what Paul calls a "geographical cure" to the complications of modern life. He speaks to The World's Host Aaron Schachter about how that pans out.

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is on a years-long journey around the world, mostly on foot, called the Out of Eden Walk. He recently made a stop in the remote Alaskan village of Kake, population: 543. Many people who live in Kake, and villages like it, come from urban settings seeking what Paul calls a "geographical cure" to the complications of modern life. He speaks to The World's Host Aaron Schachter about how that pans out.

Is 'small village life as escapism' all it's cracked up to be?

Nobel laureate Maria Ressa’s new book, "The Fight Back: A Citizen's Guide to Standing Up to Dictators," considers how online networks can be harnessed to drive real-world change. Ressa tells The World’s Host Marco Werman that pro-democracy advocates must build their own technology if they want to wrestle back control of citizens' destinies.

Nobel laureate Maria Ressa’s new book, "The Fight Back: A Citizen's Guide to Standing Up to Dictators," considers how online networks can be harnessed to drive real-world change. Ressa tells The World’s Host Marco Werman that pro-democracy advocates must build their own technology if they want to wrestle back control of citizens' destinies.

A global activists' handbook for beating back dictatorships

The votes are still being counted in Israel after Tuesday's parliamentary elections. One thing that's clear is that no party or coalition of parties has a definitive shot at forming a government. So now, the horse-trading and wrangling begins. The World's Carolyn Beeler reports from Jerusalem.

The votes are still being counted in Israel after Tuesday's parliamentary elections. One thing that's clear is that no party or coalition of parties has a definitive shot at forming a government. So now, the horse-trading and wrangling begins. The World's Carolyn Beeler reports from Jerusalem.

While the votes are being counted, the jockeying begins in Israel

A quick update that is not directly related to the Israeli election, but very much involves Mideast politics. You'll recall that about a month ago, the American rapper Macklemore was supposed to open for Ed Sheeran on his Loop Tour. But arena owners accused Macklemore's pro-Palestinian views of veering into antisemitism, and told Sheeran to drop him from the bill. In response, Macklemore decided to forge his own mini-tour.

A quick update that is not directly related to the Israeli election, but very much involves Mideast politics. You'll recall that about a month ago, the American rapper Macklemore was supposed to open for Ed Sheeran on his Loop Tour. But arena owners accused Macklemore's pro-Palestinian views of veering into antisemitism, and told Sheeran to drop him from the bill. In response, Macklemore decided to forge his own mini-tour.

Middle East conflict divides music tours

For the better part of a century, Germany’s two-track education system offered prestigious college degrees for the few and high-quality vocational qualifications for the many. But that's changed over the past decade or so, and many more students have gotten a shot at higher education. But, as Valerie Hamilton reports from Weisbach, Germany, that's left the country with a massive shortage of apprentices who might do anything from cutting hair to building weapons.

For the better part of a century, Germany’s two-track education system offered prestigious college degrees for the few and high-quality vocational qualifications for the many. But that's changed over the past decade or so, and many more students have gotten a shot at higher education. But, as Valerie Hamilton reports from Weisbach, Germany, that's left the country with a massive shortage of apprentices who might do anything from cutting hair to building weapons.

German officials want kids to stop going to college and take on trades instead

King Charles III has embarked on his first official Caribbean tour as monarch but the high stakes trip comes amid renewed calls for Britain to apologize for its role in the transatlantic slave trade and pay reparations. Buckingham Palace has made clear the king will not issue a formal apology, in line with the UK government’s position. Some Caribbean leaders look set to demand that the royal family and the UK government do more to confront Britain’s colonial past. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

King Charles III has embarked on his first official Caribbean tour as monarch but the high stakes trip comes amid renewed calls for Britain to apologize for its role in the transatlantic slave trade and pay reparations. Buckingham Palace has made clear the king will not issue a formal apology, in line with the UK government’s position. Some Caribbean leaders look set to demand that the royal family and the UK government do more to confront Britain’s colonial past. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

King Charles' Caribbean tour puts Britain's slavery legacy under scrutiny

Monday's 5:00 News in Belgrade began with the anchor offering an apology to viewers for shoddy service over the past decade while Aleksandar Vučić’s ruling alliance was in power. He said that the journalists at the station didn't ask the right questions, or didn't ask questions at all. Host Marco Werman has more.

Monday's 5:00 News in Belgrade began with the anchor offering an apology to viewers for shoddy service over the past decade while Aleksandar Vučić’s ruling alliance was in power. He said that the journalists at the station didn't ask the right questions, or didn't ask questions at all. Host Marco Werman has more.

Anchor on Serbian State TV apologizes for years of shoddy service

Pope Leo XIV will visit Argentina between Nov. 8-11. One of the main stops will be the city of Luján, where he’ll celebrate Mass outside a basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Weeks before his arrival, Catholics walked about 37 miles (60 kilometers) to the same shrine in an annual youth pilgrimage. A record 2.7 million people attended this year, in a town of just over 100,000 inhabitants. Reporter Natalio Cosoy asked two of them to record their journeys.

Pope Leo XIV will visit Argentina between Nov. 8-11. One of the main stops will be the city of Luján, where he’ll celebrate Mass outside a basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Weeks before his arrival, Catholics walked about 37 miles (60 kilometers) to the same shrine in an annual youth pilgrimage. A record 2.7 million people attended this year, in a town of just over 100,000 inhabitants. Reporter Natalio Cosoy asked two of them to record their journeys.

A 37-mile pilgrimage to the town Pope Leo will visit

Every morning in Beirut, parents turn on their phones to see what their children are doing thousands of miles away. Lebanon has experienced a sustained wave of emigration, with young people leaving amid an economic crisis, political instability and repeated conflict. Reporter Shirin Jafaari went to Lebanon to see how the people who remain — the parents, grandparents and relatives whose families have been scattered across the world — are adapting and creating new community.

Every morning in Beirut, parents turn on their phones to see what their children are doing thousands of miles away. Lebanon has experienced a sustained wave of emigration, with young people leaving amid an economic crisis, political instability and repeated conflict. Reporter Shirin Jafaari went to Lebanon to see how the people who remain — the parents, grandparents and relatives whose families have been scattered across the world — are adapting and creating new community.

The people who stayed behind in Lebanon

Hindus across the globe are celebrating Diwali today. The festival of lights involves oil lamps and fireworks. But friendly gambling is also a big part of the holiday spirit, especially for the Hindu diaspora. Sushmita Pathak explains, from a card party in New York City.

Hindus across the globe are celebrating Diwali today. The festival of lights involves oil lamps and fireworks. But friendly gambling is also a big part of the holiday spirit, especially for the Hindu diaspora. Sushmita Pathak explains, from a card party in New York City.

Why betting on card games is part of celebrating Diwali

Record turnout at the polls by Palestinian citizens of Israel has positioned Arab parties to win a historic 19 out of 120 seats in Israel's parliament. With no coalition gaining an outright majority, one question now is if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opponents will partner with Arab parties to oust the longstanding leader. From Abu Ghosh, Israel, The World's Carolyn Beeler reports.

Record turnout at the polls by Palestinian citizens of Israel has positioned Arab parties to win a historic 19 out of 120 seats in Israel's parliament. With no coalition gaining an outright majority, one question now is if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opponents will partner with Arab parties to oust the longstanding leader. From Abu Ghosh, Israel, The World's Carolyn Beeler reports.

Israel's Arab parties could be election kingmakers

Spain's trains have suffered yet another deadly crash, after two in January. Those were due to infrastructure faults, but today's appears to be human error. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

Spain's trains have suffered yet another deadly crash, after two in January. Those were due to infrastructure faults, but today's appears to be human error. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

Deadly train collision in Spain kills and injures dozens

Jamaicans are marking the one year anniversary of the strongest hurricane to ever hit the island. Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica’s southwest coast as a Category 5 storm. The storm tracked north and east, leveling homes and mangling farms and businesses. Ultimately it killed 45 people and displaced thousands more. Since then, recovery has been ongoing but inconsistent.  From Jamaica, The World’s Hannah Chanatry joined Host Aaron Schachter with updates on the recovery and rebuilding one year after the worst hurricane to ever hit Jamaica.

Jamaicans are marking the one year anniversary of the strongest hurricane to ever hit the island. Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica’s southwest coast as a Category 5 storm. The storm tracked north and east, leveling homes and mangling farms and businesses. Ultimately it killed 45 people and displaced thousands more. Since then, recovery has been ongoing but inconsistent. 
From Jamaica, The World’s Hannah Chanatry joined Host Aaron Schachter with updates on the recovery and rebuilding one year after the worst hurricane to ever hit Jamaica.

Jamaicans mark one year after Hurricane Melissa

A vaccine could soon help prevent the deadliest form of skin cancer — melanoma — from returning in those diagnosed. Researchers at the Melanoma Institute Australia led an international human trial of the tailored vaccine, which lowered the risk of recurring melanoma by 42%. To understand the implications of this pioneering vaccine therapy, The World's Host Aaron Schachter spoke to Dr. Robert Vonderheide, the director of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and president-elect of the American Association for Cancer Research.

A vaccine could soon help prevent the deadliest form of skin cancer — melanoma — from returning in those diagnosed. Researchers at the Melanoma Institute Australia led an international human trial of the tailored vaccine, which lowered the risk of recurring melanoma by 42%. To understand the implications of this pioneering vaccine therapy, The World's Host Aaron Schachter spoke to Dr. Robert Vonderheide, the director of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and president-elect of the American Association for Cancer Research.

This new vaccine therapy could prevent melanoma from returning

Next month, world leaders will gather in Antalya, Turkey, for COP31 — the annual United Nations climate summit. For Africa, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Last year, extreme weather affected at least 13 million people across the continent and killed more than 3,000, according to the World Meteorological Organization. For African countries, the challenge is not just coping with climate disasters, but securing the money and technology needed to respond. Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman reports from Ghana.

Next month, world leaders will gather in Antalya, Turkey, for COP31 — the annual United Nations climate summit. For Africa, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Last year, extreme weather affected at least 13 million people across the continent and killed more than 3,000, according to the World Meteorological Organization. For African countries, the challenge is not just coping with climate disasters, but securing the money and technology needed to respond. Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman reports from Ghana.