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.

Today is May Day, when workers mark the anniversary of the birth of the labor movement in the United States. This is an international movement that sees marches and protests demanding stronger protections for workers, and better pay, from South Africa to Vietnam. Host Marco Werman talks to Paul Ortiz, professor of labor history at Cornell University about the state of the global labor movement.

Today is May Day, when workers mark the anniversary of the birth of the labor movement in the United States. This is an international movement that sees marches and protests demanding stronger protections for workers, and better pay, from South Africa to Vietnam. Host Marco Werman talks to Paul Ortiz, professor of labor history at Cornell University about the state of the global labor movement.

The state of global labor as workers celebrate May Day

You might know that spring is here by how late the sun stays up, or by the sight of picnics in the park. In the small German village of Lehde, the arrival of spring is marked by the local post office delivering mail on a barge. That's because the village is linked by a network of canals that function as both a historic irrigation system and the best way to get around. Host Marco Werman has more details.

You might know that spring is here by how late the sun stays up, or by the sight of picnics in the park. In the small German village of Lehde, the arrival of spring is marked by the local post office delivering mail on a barge. That's because the village is linked by a network of canals that function as both a historic irrigation system and the best way to get around. Host Marco Werman has more details.

The German village where the seasons determine how the mail gets delivered

Friday is May Day, International Labor Day. In the Czech Republic, the giant parades of the communist era are long gone. But left-wing groups still gather each year in the center of Prague. This time, though, they do so under a controversial new law explicitly placing Communist propaganda and symbols under the same anti-extremism legislation used against Nazism. From Prague, Deutsche Welle, DW's, Rob Cameron reports.

Friday is May Day, International Labor Day. In the Czech Republic, the giant parades of the communist era are long gone. But left-wing groups still gather each year in the center of Prague. This time, though, they do so under a controversial new law explicitly placing Communist propaganda and symbols under the same anti-extremism legislation used against Nazism. From Prague, Deutsche Welle, DW's, Rob Cameron reports.

Czech Republic bans communist symbols in May Day parades

Academy and Grammy award-winning musician Jorge Drexler is back with his 19th album, called "Taracá." The album is something of a homecoming, since it’s the first record in over 20 years that Drexler has made in his native Uruguay. The musician has lived for years now in Spain. Reporter Natalio Cosoy caught up with Drexler in Buenos Aires and has this story.

Academy and Grammy award-winning musician Jorge Drexler is back with his 19th album, called "Taracá." The album is something of a homecoming, since it’s the first record in over 20 years that Drexler has made in his native Uruguay. The musician has lived for years now in Spain. Reporter Natalio Cosoy caught up with Drexler in Buenos Aires and has this story.

Jorge Drexler's new album made in native Uruguay

This week, US prosecutors indicted the sitting governor of Sinaloa state and nine others, alleging ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. The case is already raising difficult questions — not just about the specific allegations, but about accountability and sovereignty at a time of raised tensions between the two countries. To learn more, Host Marco Werman spoke to Parker Asmann, a Mexico-based investigator with InSight Crime.

This week, US prosecutors indicted the sitting governor of Sinaloa state and nine others, alleging ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. The case is already raising difficult questions — not just about the specific allegations, but about accountability and sovereignty at a time of raised tensions between the two countries. To learn more, Host Marco Werman spoke to Parker Asmann, a Mexico-based investigator with InSight Crime.

US indicts Mexican governor, alleging ties to Sinaloa Cartel

Colombia's government has announced a controversial plan to kill dozens of hippos that are roaming freely in one of the country’s most fertile areas. But the animals have become a beloved tourist attraction, years after they were introduced into the country by the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar. Officials say the hippos could become a danger to local farmers, and are also displacing native species like the river manatee. Reporter Manuel Rueda has the story from Doradal, Colombia.

Colombia's government has announced a controversial plan to kill dozens of hippos that are roaming freely in one of the country’s most fertile areas. But the animals have become a beloved tourist attraction, years after they were introduced into the country by the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar. Officials say the hippos could become a danger to local farmers, and are also displacing native species like the river manatee. Reporter Manuel Rueda has the story from Doradal, Colombia.

Plan to kill dozens of wild hippos generates fierce debate in Colombia

Saturday will mark 15 years to the day that Osama Bin Laden was killed inside a compound in Pakistan during a targeted nighttime raid by US Navy SEALs. It was the culmination of a decade-long manhunt following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Over a decade later al-Qaeda, the group Bin Laden founded, persists with affiliates and partners across the globe — but also faces steep competition from ISIS. The World's Host Marco Werman spoke to Aaron Zelin, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Saturday will mark 15 years to the day that Osama Bin Laden was killed inside a compound in Pakistan during a targeted nighttime raid by US Navy SEALs. It was the culmination of a decade-long manhunt following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Over a decade later al-Qaeda, the group Bin Laden founded, persists with affiliates and partners across the globe — but also faces steep competition from ISIS. The World's Host Marco Werman spoke to Aaron Zelin, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

15 years after US killed Bin Laden, al-Qaeda faces steep competition with ISIS

A jury resigns at the world's most important art fair. And a whale recently stranded in shallow water is successfully moved to its natural habitat. Host Marco Werman has more.

A jury resigns at the world's most important art fair. And a whale recently stranded in shallow water is successfully moved to its natural habitat. Host Marco Werman has more.

Some quick news updates

For 19 days, the route up to the summit of Mount Everest was obstructed by a huge block of ice which held back climbers from fulfilling their dreams of getting to the top of the world's tallest mountain. Sherpas were brought in to clear the ice and, earlier this week, it slowly disintegrated, opening the way. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the details.

For 19 days, the route up to the summit of Mount Everest was obstructed by a huge block of ice which held back climbers from fulfilling their dreams of getting to the top of the world's tallest mountain. Sherpas were brought in to clear the ice and, earlier this week, it slowly disintegrated, opening the way. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the details.

Path to top of Mount Everest open again

Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was quickly picked as the successor. But since his ascent to power, there has been no audio or video of him — only statements attributed to him. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports that evidence suggests the new supreme leader of Iran has been seriously injured and has nowhere near the power his late father had.

Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was quickly picked as the successor. But since his ascent to power, there has been no audio or video of him — only statements attributed to him. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports that evidence suggests the new supreme leader of Iran has been seriously injured and has nowhere near the power his late father had.

How supreme is Iran's new supreme leader?

Hungary’s incoming prime minister is moving quickly to make his mark. Péter Magyar, who takes office next month, met top European officials in Brussels this week to set out his plans to restore the rule of law in Hungary. Billions of euros in EU funding have been withheld amid concerns about corruption and democratic backsliding under outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Magyar has promised voters he will unlock that money. But first, he must convince Brussels he can deliver reform. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Hungary’s incoming prime minister is moving quickly to make his mark. Péter Magyar, who takes office next month, met top European officials in Brussels this week to set out his plans to restore the rule of law in Hungary. Billions of euros in EU funding have been withheld amid concerns about corruption and democratic backsliding under outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Magyar has promised voters he will unlock that money. But first, he must convince Brussels he can deliver reform. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Hungary's Magyar races to unlock EU billions

After a long political impasse, Ali al-Zaidi has been tapped to become Iraq's new prime minister. A wealthy oligarch, al-Zaidi is seen as both a compromise candidate, but also a political outsider. The World's Host Marco Werman learned more from Hamzeh Hadad, an Iraqi political analyst with the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think tank.

After a long political impasse, Ali al-Zaidi has been tapped to become Iraq's new prime minister. A wealthy oligarch, al-Zaidi is seen as both a compromise candidate, but also a political outsider. The World's Host Marco Werman learned more from Hamzeh Hadad, an Iraqi political analyst with the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think tank.

With war on its doorstep, Iraq taps a political outsider to become prime minister

The keeping of livestock requires both maintaining a bond with the animals and effective communication. National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek knows that from his own past as a cattle rancher in Mexico. And, as he tells Host Carolyn Beeler, so do the shepherds and nomads he has met along his global walking project, the Out of Eden Walk. He explains and demonstrates some of the language of animal husbandry.

The keeping of livestock requires both maintaining a bond with the animals and effective communication. National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek knows that from his own past as a cattle rancher in Mexico. And, as he tells Host Carolyn Beeler, so do the shepherds and nomads he has met along his global walking project, the Out of Eden Walk. He explains and demonstrates some of the language of animal husbandry.

The music of animal husbandry

Today is International Jazz Day, declared by the United Nations in 2011 "to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe." On this annual celebration of the smooth form of music, Puerto Rican folk musician Fabiola Méndez came into The World's studio to talk with Host Carolyn Beeler about her music and the traditional stringed instrument she plays, the cuatro.

Today is International Jazz Day, declared by the United Nations in 2011 "to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe." On this annual celebration of the smooth form of music, Puerto Rican folk musician Fabiola Méndez came into The World's studio to talk with Host Carolyn Beeler about her music and the traditional stringed instrument she plays, the cuatro.

International jazz musician Fabiola Méndez and her cuatro

The war in Iran has caused a massive crunch in the global supply chain. But nothing has been hit harder than jet fuel. Prices have more than doubled, tickets are getting costlier, and some airlines might not survive the crisis. The World's Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel reports.

The war in Iran has caused a massive crunch in the global supply chain. But nothing has been hit harder than jet fuel. Prices have more than doubled, tickets are getting costlier, and some airlines might not survive the crisis. The World's Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel reports.

Jet fuel spike puts airlines and travelers on edge

The United Arab Emirates says it will leave OPEC, a consortium of oil producing countries, effective May 1. That would strip the cartel of its third-largest producer and further weaken its leverage over global oil supplies and prices. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman explain.

The United Arab Emirates says it will leave OPEC, a consortium of oil producing countries, effective May 1. That would strip the cartel of its third-largest producer and further weaken its leverage over global oil supplies and prices. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman explain.

UAE suggests it will quit OPEC

Spain has been struggling for years to find people willing to live and work as shepherds. It can be tough, lonely work at times. But a new training program has found a way to fill those rural jobs: by tapping into Spain's immigrant and newly-arrived refugee communities, many of whom have shepherding experience back home and who love the idea of working with animals. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Ciudad Real, in central Spain.

Spain has been struggling for years to find people willing to live and work as shepherds. It can be tough, lonely work at times. But a new training program has found a way to fill those rural jobs: by tapping into Spain's immigrant and newly-arrived refugee communities, many of whom have shepherding experience back home and who love the idea of working with animals. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Ciudad Real, in central Spain.

Spain fills vacant shepherd jobs with people from elsewhere

Technical difficulties nearly scuttled the performance of the Canadian national anthem before last night's NHL match between the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins. But, when the singer's microphone cut out, the fans came together to finish the tune.

Technical difficulties nearly scuttled the performance of the Canadian national anthem before last night's NHL match between the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins. But, when the singer's microphone cut out, the fans came together to finish the tune.

US fans sing Canadian anthem

The far-right has made great gains in Europe over the past couple of decades. In France, the RN, or National Rally, has gone from fringe movement to the largest party of the nation. The party is now hoping that its leader, 30-year-old Jordan Bardella, will win the French presidency next year. Host Marco Werman gets the details from Victor Mallet, senior editor with the Financial Times and author of "Far-Right France: Le Pen, Bardella and the Future of Europe."

The far-right has made great gains in Europe over the past couple of decades. In France, the RN, or National Rally, has gone from fringe movement to the largest party of the nation. The party is now hoping that its leader, 30-year-old Jordan Bardella, will win the French presidency next year. Host Marco Werman gets the details from Victor Mallet, senior editor with the Financial Times and author of "Far-Right France: Le Pen, Bardella and the Future of Europe."

France's far-right is hoping for a big win

The sewage of some 300,000 people is being sent directly into Mexico's Lake Chapala. It's the source of water for 60% of residents of Guadalajara. Further downstream, international companies send industrial waste into the Santiago River. Studies have found that people in the area suffer kidney disease at higher-than-normal rates. What used to be known as a vacation destination has recently been dubbed a "slow moving Chernobyl." Glynis Board reports from Jalisco, Mexico.

The sewage of some 300,000 people is being sent directly into Mexico's Lake Chapala. It's the source of water for 60% of residents of Guadalajara. Further downstream, international companies send industrial waste into the Santiago River. Studies have found that people in the area suffer kidney disease at higher-than-normal rates. What used to be known as a vacation destination has recently been dubbed a "slow moving Chernobyl." Glynis Board reports from Jalisco, Mexico.

Attempts to clean up water supplies in Mexico

The Lost Boys of Sudan — that's the phrase commonly used to describe the refugees whose parents had been killed in Sudan's civil war more than 30 years ago. But not all of those young people were boys — including Rebecca Deng. She was one of the girls less often included in the telling of that history. So, she wrote a memoir about her experience and shares one story from the book with GBH'S Stories from the Stage.

The Lost Boys of Sudan — that's the phrase commonly used to describe the refugees whose parents had been killed in Sudan's civil war more than 30 years ago. But not all of those young people were boys — including Rebecca Deng. She was one of the girls less often included in the telling of that history. So, she wrote a memoir about her experience and shares one story from the book with GBH'S Stories from the Stage.

SFTS: A lost girl of Sudan

If you drive south, from the US, into Mexico, you'll notice some very different car brands on the roads. Increasingly, they are Chinese-made, and many of them are electric. From the Fronteras Desk at KJZZ, Nina Kravinsky reports from Hermosillo, Mexico, on how the US is responding, and what it means for the future of EVs in Mexico.

If you drive south, from the US, into Mexico, you'll notice some very different car brands on the roads. Increasingly, they are Chinese-made, and many of them are electric. From the Fronteras Desk at KJZZ, Nina Kravinsky reports from Hermosillo, Mexico, on how the US is responding, and what it means for the future of EVs in Mexico.

Chinese EVs on the rise in Mexico

Mali's military junta is fighting off coordinated attacks across the country that began this weekend. Led by Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda-linked fighters, the country’s defense minister was among those killed in one of the attacks. The joint militant forces have also claimed control of the northeastern city of Kidal. The Russian government-linked Africa Corps confirmed that it pulled out of the city. To help make sense of this complicated picture, The World's Host Marco Werman spoke to Ulf Laessing, a security analyst with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Mali's military junta is fighting off coordinated attacks across the country that began this weekend. Led by Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda-linked fighters, the country’s defense minister was among those killed in one of the attacks. The joint militant forces have also claimed control of the northeastern city of Kidal. The Russian government-linked Africa Corps confirmed that it pulled out of the city. To help make sense of this complicated picture, The World's Host Marco Werman spoke to Ulf Laessing, a security analyst with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Coordinated attacks in Mali expose weaknesses of military junta

Robot news has been coming fast and furious this month. One robot won a half-marathon in Beijing, others captured a Russian position in Ukraine. And last week, we learned of a robotic arm that beat table-tennis champions at their own game. To learn about this moment in robotics, The World's Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Kenechukwu Mbanisi. He's an assistant professor of robotics engineering at Olin College in Massachusetts.

Robot news has been coming fast and furious this month. One robot won a half-marathon in Beijing, others captured a Russian position in Ukraine. And last week, we learned of a robotic arm that beat table-tennis champions at their own game. To learn about this moment in robotics, The World's Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Kenechukwu Mbanisi. He's an assistant professor of robotics engineering at Olin College in Massachusetts.

The latest in the world of robotics

The annual marmalade festival and competition is a contest that draws around 3,000 entries per year, and the whole town "goes orange," gathering at Dalemain Mansion in the UK for the event. Reporter Leo Hornak profiles some creators of very traditional recipes, as well as some from the "experimental" category. Judges say it can be hard not to get sick tasting about 60 marmalades in a row.

The annual marmalade festival and competition is a contest that draws around 3,000 entries per year, and the whole town "goes orange," gathering at Dalemain Mansion in the UK for the event. Reporter Leo Hornak profiles some creators of very traditional recipes, as well as some from the "experimental" category. Judges say it can be hard not to get sick tasting about 60 marmalades in a row.

A sweet competition

The World's Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman take us in the way back machine, to 1993, and the first release by the Senegalese super group Africando. The name of this track is Gouye Gui. In the Wolof language, it refers to the massive baobab trees found across Senegal. The song is an homage to the baobab's symbolism of longevity and wisdom.

The World's Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman take us in the way back machine, to 1993, and the first release by the Senegalese super group Africando. The name of this track is Gouye Gui. In the Wolof language, it refers to the massive baobab trees found across Senegal. The song is an homage to the baobab's symbolism of longevity and wisdom.

Africando oldie music

The issue of plastic waste is not going anywhere. In fact, globally, we continue to generate more of it. In the EU, plastic packaging waste alone makes up about 16 million tons a year — and less than half of that is recycled. But across Europe, new recycling plants have been popping up, promising to recycle hundreds of thousands of tons of the particularly-hard-to-recycle stuff using a technology called chemical — or "advanced" — recycling. Deutsche Welle, DW's, investigative environmental journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor look into the idea.

The issue of plastic waste is not going anywhere. In fact, globally, we continue to generate more of it. In the EU, plastic packaging waste alone makes up about 16 million tons a year — and less than half of that is recycled. But across Europe, new recycling plants have been popping up, promising to recycle hundreds of thousands of tons of the particularly-hard-to-recycle stuff using a technology called chemical — or "advanced" — recycling. Deutsche Welle, DW's, investigative environmental journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor look into the idea.

Is chemical recycling the solution to plastic waste?

Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler catch us up on a few stories flying just below the radar.

Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler catch us up on a few stories flying just below the radar.

Things you may have missed

When Spain went dark for a day, on April 28, 2025, the tiny village of San Vicente del Monte went about business as usual. The town maintained power because of an experimental lithium battery that many other municipalities had declined to try out. The World's Gerry Hadden explains.This story originally aired on May 23, 2025.

When Spain went dark for a day, on April 28, 2025, the tiny village of San Vicente del Monte went about business as usual. The town maintained power because of an experimental lithium battery that many other municipalities had declined to try out. The World's Gerry Hadden explains.
This story originally aired on May 23, 2025.

The one village in Spain that didn't lose power in last April's blackout

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla are in the United States today for a four-day state visit marking the year of the 250th anniversary of US independence. The trip comes amid strained relations between London and Washington, after Britain resisted pressure to support US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The visit is being closely watched in London, where officials may be hoping it will help ease tensions between US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joins Host Marco Werman.

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla are in the United States today for a four-day state visit marking the year of the 250th anniversary of US independence. The trip comes amid strained relations between London and Washington, after Britain resisted pressure to support US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The visit is being closely watched in London, where officials may be hoping it will help ease tensions between US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joins Host Marco Werman.