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's do or die from here on out at the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. It's the knock-out round of 32, when sudden elimination begins. But there was plenty of excitement in the final weekend of the group phase. The World's Gerry Hadden wraps it all up for us.

It's do or die from here on out at the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. It's the knock-out round of 32, when sudden elimination begins. But there was plenty of excitement in the final weekend of the group phase. The World's Gerry Hadden wraps it all up for us.

The World Cup knockout round has begun

Journalist Sally Hayden has reported on crises across the globe — harrowing stories of war, displacement and political violence. But in her new book, “This Is Also a Love Story,” Hayden turns her attention to something often overlooked in crisis coverage: the relationships that help people endure. Hayden spoke to Host Marco Werman from Beirut, where she's covering the current conflict in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

Journalist Sally Hayden has reported on crises across the globe — harrowing stories of war, displacement and political violence. But in her new book, “This Is Also a Love Story,” Hayden turns her attention to something often overlooked in crisis coverage: the relationships that help people endure. Hayden spoke to Host Marco Werman from Beirut, where she's covering the current conflict in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

War correspondent Sally Hayden examines acts of love amid conflict

Cases involving Chinese immigrants from San Francisco reached the US Supreme Court and helped establish birthright citizenship, now under threat as America celebrates 250 years as a nation. Birthright citizenship is just one of the landmark legal victories won by 19th-century Chinese immigrants. Their court battles helped secure constitutional protections that remain at the center of today’s debates over citizenship, due process and democracy. KQED's Cecilia Lei reports from San Francisco.

Cases involving Chinese immigrants from San Francisco reached the US Supreme Court and helped establish birthright citizenship, now under threat as America celebrates 250 years as a nation. Birthright citizenship is just one of the landmark legal victories won by 19th-century Chinese immigrants. Their court battles helped secure constitutional protections that remain at the center of today’s debates over citizenship, due process and democracy. KQED's Cecilia Lei reports from San Francisco.

Chinese immigrants helped define birthright citizenship in the US

Zahili Zamora was born and raised in the Cuban port city of Manzanillo, but her music has taken her to Canada, Southeast Asia and now the United States, where she's recently become a citizen. Her Cuban heritage and status as an immigrant inspired her new album, "Overcoming." Zamora first spoke to Host Carolyn Beeler last winter.This story originally aired on Dec. 9, 2025.

Zahili Zamora was born and raised in the Cuban port city of Manzanillo, but her music has taken her to Canada, Southeast Asia and now the United States, where she's recently become a citizen. Her Cuban heritage and status as an immigrant inspired her new album, "Overcoming." Zamora first spoke to Host Carolyn Beeler last winter.
This story originally aired on Dec. 9, 2025.

The musical journey of Cuban-born pianist Zahili Zamora

At least 1,400 are dead in Venezuela, as rescuers continue to hunt for survivors, but their efforts are being hampered by aftershocks, with the latest occurring on Monday morning. Host Marco Werman has the latest.

At least 1,400 are dead in Venezuela, as rescuers continue to hunt for survivors, but their efforts are being hampered by aftershocks, with the latest occurring on Monday morning. Host Marco Werman has the latest.

Venezuela earthquake updates

Ugandan officials have shut down the country's two leading media outlets on the orders of the military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba. He is the son of President Yoweri Museveni and widely viewed as his likely successor, and said he ordered the closures because he does not "believe in a free press." Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan journalist, lawyer and human rights activist discusses the implications with The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Ugandan officials have shut down the country's two leading media outlets on the orders of the military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba. He is the son of President Yoweri Museveni and widely viewed as his likely successor, and said he ordered the closures because he does not "believe in a free press." Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan journalist, lawyer and human rights activist discusses the implications with The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Uganda cracks down on press freedom

For almost a month, protesters have gathered every evening in Albania's capital, Tirana, many carrying signs declaring "Albania is not for sale." The demonstrations were sparked by plans for a multi-million-dollar luxury tourism development backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. But the rallies have since become something much bigger. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

For almost a month, protesters have gathered every evening in Albania's capital, Tirana, many carrying signs declaring "Albania is not for sale." The demonstrations were sparked by plans for a multi-million-dollar luxury tourism development backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. But the rallies have since become something much bigger. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Anger over Jared Kushner-backed luxury development in Albania fuels wider protest movement

There is little relief in sight in the fight against Ebola. This new strain of the virus is the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak ever, with over a thousand cases detected and more than 300 deaths in just one month. Host Marco Werman speaks with infectious diseases physician Dr. Nahid Bhadelia about what is facing healthcare workers in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

There is little relief in sight in the fight against Ebola. This new strain of the virus is the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak ever, with over a thousand cases detected and more than 300 deaths in just one month. Host Marco Werman speaks with infectious diseases physician Dr. Nahid Bhadelia about what is facing healthcare workers in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Little relief in sight in the latest fight against Ebola

Fancy a tax break on your pension income? Or how about a house for $1.15? Then rural Italy may just be for you! These are just two examples of real-life incentives some local authorities have come up with to combat their depopulation problems. But do these measures actually work? From our partners at Deutsche Welle, DW, Inside Europe's Angelo Van Schaik has been finding out.

Fancy a tax break on your pension income? Or how about a house for $1.15? Then rural Italy may just be for you! These are just two examples of real-life incentives some local authorities have come up with to combat their depopulation problems. But do these measures actually work? From our partners at Deutsche Welle, DW, Inside Europe's Angelo Van Schaik has been finding out.

Italy's attempt to repopulate mountain villages is falling short

The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for Haitian and Syrian migrants, putting roughly 356,000 people at risk of losing work permits and facing deportation. To discuss the impact on Haitians in the US, we’re joined by Francois Pierre-Louis of Faith in Action International in New York City. We then hear from Krish Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, to understand the wider implications of the ruling on the future of TPS.

The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for Haitian and Syrian migrants, putting roughly 356,000 people at risk of losing work permits and facing deportation. To discuss the impact on Haitians in the US, we’re joined by Francois Pierre-Louis of Faith in Action International in New York City. We then hear from Krish Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, to understand the wider implications of the ruling on the future of TPS.

Impact of Supreme Court TPS ruling on Haitians, Syrians and tens of thousands in the US

Europe continues to be trapped under a "heat dome," with temperatures climbing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some places. The extreme heat has resulted in casualties. Governments across Europe are cancelling outdoor activities to protect lives. Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

Europe continues to be trapped under a "heat dome," with temperatures climbing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some places. The extreme heat has resulted in casualties. Governments across Europe are cancelling outdoor activities to protect lives. Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

Efforts to protect Europeans from extreme heat

The story of the American Revolution, as it is typically told, is the story of two parties in conflict: the British crown, and the rebelling colonies. But this story ignores the role North America's sovereign tribal nations played in the revolution, and the impact that revolution had on Indigenous people around the world. For our series on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Yale University historian Ned Blackhawk, about this complicated history.

The story of the American Revolution, as it is typically told, is the story of two parties in conflict: the British crown, and the rebelling colonies. But this story ignores the role North America's sovereign tribal nations played in the revolution, and the impact that revolution had on Indigenous people around the world. For our series on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Yale University historian Ned Blackhawk, about this complicated history.

America 250: Indigenous nations and the American Revolution

Qatar and Pakistan are currently playing the role of mediators between Iran and the United States. They’re involved in what could be described as some of the most delicate and consequential negotiations between the two countries. But what propels a country to become a mediator? What’s in it for them? The World’s Shirin Jaafari explains.

Qatar and Pakistan are currently playing the role of mediators between Iran and the United States. They’re involved in what could be described as some of the most delicate and consequential negotiations between the two countries. But what propels a country to become a mediator? What’s in it for them? The World’s Shirin Jaafari explains.

What makes countries want to become mediators?

The official death toll from Venezuela’s back-to-back earthquakes has climbed to around 600, with thousands injured and more than 50,000 reported still missing. The hardest-hit area is La Guaira, where may residents have been digging through rubble themselves as rescue teams and international aid begin to arrive. The disaster is now testing the fragile government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, and exposing the limits of a country already weakened by years of humanitarian crisis. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

The official death toll from Venezuela’s back-to-back earthquakes has climbed to around 600, with thousands injured and more than 50,000 reported still missing. The hardest-hit area is La Guaira, where may residents have been digging through rubble themselves as rescue teams and international aid begin to arrive. The disaster is now testing the fragile government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, and exposing the limits of a country already weakened by years of humanitarian crisis. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

Venezuelans search rubble as quake toll rises

Health workers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, got an exciting email recently. It thanked them for slogging through the implementation of a new digital health information system, and offered them a day off if they registered for it. But ... it was not a real offer. Host Carolyn Beeler has the details.

Health workers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, got an exciting email recently. It thanked them for slogging through the implementation of a new digital health information system, and offered them a day off if they registered for it. But ... it was not a real offer. Host Carolyn Beeler has the details.

Canadian phishing test gone wrong

The government of Venezuela has declared a national emergency as the death toll climbs and rescuers attempt to dig people out of the rubble after two earthquakes. The quakes hit a country already weakened by years of economic collapse, strained healthcare and political disruption. The World's Tibisay Zea has been speaking with people on the ground and shares the latest with Host Carolyn Beeler.

The government of Venezuela has declared a national emergency as the death toll climbs and rescuers attempt to dig people out of the rubble after two earthquakes. The quakes hit a country already weakened by years of economic collapse, strained healthcare and political disruption. The World's Tibisay Zea has been speaking with people on the ground and shares the latest with Host Carolyn Beeler.

Venezuela reels from double earthquakes

Last year, tens of thousands joined Hungary’s Pride march in defiance of laws used to ban public LGBTQ events. While the government of Viktor Orbán is out and the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has expressed support for this year’s Pride parade, many of Orbán’s anti-LGBTQ laws are still on the books. The World’s Host Marco Werman speaks with Tamás Dombos, a Hungarian human rights researcher.

Last year, tens of thousands joined Hungary’s Pride march in defiance of laws used to ban public LGBTQ events. While the government of Viktor Orbán is out and the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has expressed support for this year’s Pride parade, many of Orbán’s anti-LGBTQ laws are still on the books. The World’s Host Marco Werman speaks with Tamás Dombos, a Hungarian human rights researcher.

Budapest prepares for Pride parade with hope and concern

Earthquakes of similar strength may strike different parts of the world on the same day, and yet the damage and recovery are likely to look dramatically different. Some societies are able to build quake-resistant communities while others remain vulnerable. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with seismologist Lucy Jones about how natural disasters shape communities and what can be done to minimize damage.

Earthquakes of similar strength may strike different parts of the world on the same day, and yet the damage and recovery are likely to look dramatically different. Some societies are able to build quake-resistant communities while others remain vulnerable. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with seismologist Lucy Jones about how natural disasters shape communities and what can be done to minimize damage.

How natural disasters expose and worsen existing weaknesses

There's lots going on these days in the world of sports. Starting, of course, with the World Cup. But there's also news with the International Olympic Committee and the Grand Slam tennis tournaments, with Wimbledon coming up next week. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have the latest.

There's lots going on these days in the world of sports. Starting, of course, with the World Cup. But there's also news with the International Olympic Committee and the Grand Slam tennis tournaments, with Wimbledon coming up next week. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have the latest.

Sports stories you may have missed

New analysis from the London School of Economics finds an increase in lawsuits around the world targeting data centers. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with the report's researcher, Eoin Jackson.

New analysis from the London School of Economics finds an increase in lawsuits around the world targeting data centers. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with the report's researcher, Eoin Jackson.

Global climate litigation is increasingly targeting data centers

The Census 2026-2027 is afoot in India — the biggest, most elaborate administrative data collection exercise carried out in the country. In the last census that happened in 2011, there were 1.21 billion people who were recorded and 250 million households surveyed. Turns out that most of the people collecting this data are women. Ashrita Achar reports from Bengaluru.

The Census 2026-2027 is afoot in India — the biggest, most elaborate administrative data collection exercise carried out in the country. In the last census that happened in 2011, there were 1.21 billion people who were recorded and 250 million households surveyed. Turns out that most of the people collecting this data are women. Ashrita Achar reports from Bengaluru.

The women behind India's census

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has been walking across continents for his project, the Out of Eden Walk. He describes that project as an exercise in what he calls "slow journalism." But as he explains, journalists often see the world in a very different way than artists often do. That's why it's been important to him to walk with artists along his journey. He tells Host Marco Werman what that adds to the project, and about the Out of Eden Walk art exhibitions he has hosted.

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has been walking across continents for his project, the Out of Eden Walk. He describes that project as an exercise in what he calls "slow journalism." But as he explains, journalists often see the world in a very different way than artists often do. That's why it's been important to him to walk with artists along his journey. He tells Host Marco Werman what that adds to the project, and about the Out of Eden Walk art exhibitions he has hosted.

How art augments a global walk

Activists and human rights groups abroad say the Iranian government is going after their loved ones inside Iran, arresting and intimidating them. They say it also goes after their assets, properties and bank accounts. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

Activists and human rights groups abroad say the Iranian government is going after their loved ones inside Iran, arresting and intimidating them. They say it also goes after their assets, properties and bank accounts. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

Iran expands campaign against dissidents abroad

Nassau, in the Bahamas, was the center of the Golden Age of Piracy. Hundreds of pirates lived on, and sailed from, its shores. Now, for the first time, marine archaeologists have discovered shipwrecks in the harbor tied to that era. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Sean Kingsley, who led the expedition, to learn more about the find.

Nassau, in the Bahamas, was the center of the Golden Age of Piracy. Hundreds of pirates lived on, and sailed from, its shores. Now, for the first time, marine archaeologists have discovered shipwrecks in the harbor tied to that era. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Sean Kingsley, who led the expedition, to learn more about the find.

Archaeologists discover first shipwrecks in the Bahamas tied to Golden Age of Piracy

Children account for roughly 30% of those killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in recent years. That’s according to a new UN report that charges Israel with deliberately targeting and killing Palestinian youth. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Dr. Bing Li, an ER doctor who works at Nasser Medical complex in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, who reated dazed and confused children injured in an Israeli airstrike today.

Children account for roughly 30% of those killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in recent years. That’s according to a new UN report that charges Israel with deliberately targeting and killing Palestinian youth. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Dr. Bing Li, an ER doctor who works at Nasser Medical complex in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, who reated dazed and confused children injured in an Israeli airstrike today.

The erasure of childhood in Gaza

German mathematician and economist Joachim Klement has predicted the past three World Cup winners using a mathematical model. Host Marco Werman spoke to the man behind the model. Joining the show from London, Klement said he factors in economics, luck and love of the game.

German mathematician and economist Joachim Klement has predicted the past three World Cup winners using a mathematical model. Host Marco Werman spoke to the man behind the model. Joining the show from London, Klement said he factors in economics, luck and love of the game.

The German economist who correctly predicted the last three World Cup winners

Caryn Davies, a former Olympic rower, wanted to try her luck in one more round of the Olympic Games. When she showed up to practice, and for months later, it seemed like her teammates shunned her. When the Olympics were postponed because of COVID-19, she couldn't take it anymore and confronted several of the other women on the squad. As she told GBH's Stories From the Stage, what she heard shocked her.

Caryn Davies, a former Olympic rower, wanted to try her luck in one more round of the Olympic Games. When she showed up to practice, and for months later, it seemed like her teammates shunned her. When the Olympics were postponed because of COVID-19, she couldn't take it anymore and confronted several of the other women on the squad. As she told GBH's Stories From the Stage, what she heard shocked her.

Former Olympian couldn't figure out why her teammates shunned her

It’s estimated that 1 million plants and animals are at risk of going extinct. Conservation can stop this trend, but how you protect a species looks different around the world. Reporter Levi Bridges recently hiked up a hill called Aigul-Tash in southern Kyrgyzstan, to get a rare peek at an endangered flower. He tells us how the trip changed how he thinks about conservation.

It’s estimated that 1 million plants and animals are at risk of going extinct. Conservation can stop this trend, but how you protect a species looks different around the world. Reporter Levi Bridges recently hiked up a hill called Aigul-Tash in southern Kyrgyzstan, to get a rare peek at an endangered flower. He tells us how the trip changed how he thinks about conservation.

The lure of a rare flower

Western Europe is in the midst of a severe heat wave. The temperature in Paris was hovering close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit tonight. An estimated 45 people have already died in France as a result, many from drowning while trying to cool off. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Isabelle Coll, an environmental scientist who says a lot needs to change to mitigate heat waves in France.

Western Europe is in the midst of a severe heat wave. The temperature in Paris was hovering close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit tonight. An estimated 45 people have already died in France as a result, many from drowning while trying to cool off. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Isabelle Coll, an environmental scientist who says a lot needs to change to mitigate heat waves in France.

Heat wave crisis in Europe

If you're making the long walk to a soccer stadium, or you're just on your feet for hours a day, you might want to consider a pair of "cool shoes." Not as in trendy — but actually cool, and comfortable. They were created by a young Kenyan inventor who wanted to soothe his mother's aching feet. They're made entirely from trash and bits and pieces of old electronics. Jonathan Miller reported the story for Audio Flux, an independent platform for short-form audio storytelling.

If you're making the long walk to a soccer stadium, or you're just on your feet for hours a day, you might want to consider a pair of "cool shoes." Not as in trendy — but actually cool, and comfortable. They were created by a young Kenyan inventor who wanted to soothe his mother's aching feet. They're made entirely from trash and bits and pieces of old electronics. Jonathan Miller reported the story for Audio Flux, an independent platform for short-form audio storytelling.