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.

On June 11, 1922, American filmmaker Robert Flaherty premiered “Nanook of the North: A Story of Life and Love in the Actual Arctic” in New York City. Set in Inukjuak on the Hudson Bay in northern Quebec, the silent film documented the daily struggles of an Inuk man and his family. It was the first significant nonfiction film ever released and led to a new category of film: the documentary. A century later, another American filmmaker returned to Inukjuak to examine what has happened to the community over the past 100 years. Host Marco Werman speaks to Inukjuak town manager Shoamik Inukpuk and Kirk French, a filmmaker and anthropologist at Penn State.This story originally aired on June 8, 2022.

On June 11, 1922, American filmmaker Robert Flaherty premiered “Nanook of the North: A Story of Life and Love in the Actual Arctic” in New York City. Set in Inukjuak on the Hudson Bay in northern Quebec, the silent film documented the daily struggles of an Inuk man and his family. It was the first significant nonfiction film ever released and led to a new category of film: the documentary. A century later, another American filmmaker returned to Inukjuak to examine what has happened to the community over the past 100 years. Host Marco Werman speaks to Inukjuak town manager Shoamik Inukpuk and Kirk French, a filmmaker and anthropologist at Penn State.
This story originally aired on June 8, 2022.

‘Nanook of the North’ a century later

Hezbollah has been a powerful force in Lebanon for decades. But after yet another devastating war with Israel, the group is facing calls to give up its weapons, and there are growing doubts among some of its supporters. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports from Lebanon.

Hezbollah has been a powerful force in Lebanon for decades. But after yet another devastating war with Israel, the group is facing calls to give up its weapons, and there are growing doubts among some of its supporters. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports from Lebanon.

As Israel continues attacks in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah faces questions

An arms race is escalating above us, as military powers vie for control of space. The satellites we rely on are vulnerable to attack and space debris is increasingly filling a crowded orbit. The PBS documentary "Space Wars" explores the dangers of militarizing space. Jonathan McDowell is an astrophysicist and contributed to the documentary. He recently spoke to Host Carolyn Beeler.

An arms race is escalating above us, as military powers vie for control of space. The satellites we rely on are vulnerable to attack and space debris is increasingly filling a crowded orbit. The PBS documentary "Space Wars" explores the dangers of militarizing space. Jonathan McDowell is an astrophysicist and contributed to the documentary. He recently spoke to Host Carolyn Beeler.

NOVA documentary explores the militarization of space

Allegations of a horrific sexual assault at Cornell University in New York State have reignited questions about how colleges protect students and hold perpetrators to account. But the problem extends far beyond US campuses. In England, a survey of more than 50,000 final-year students last year found that 14% had been sexually assaulted since starting university. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Allegations of a horrific sexual assault at Cornell University in New York State have reignited questions about how colleges protect students and hold perpetrators to account. But the problem extends far beyond US campuses. In England, a survey of more than 50,000 final-year students last year found that 14% had been sexually assaulted since starting university. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Sexual assault at universities extends far beyond the US

Thousands of people marched through New Delhi Monday toward India's Supreme Court, where opposition leaders sought to challenge a sweeping revision of the country's voter registration lists. More than 130 million names have been removed from those voter lists, which opposition politicians and civil society leaders have called into question as tampering by the ruling party's government. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Mukulika Banerjee, a social anthropologist at the London School of Economics who researches India's democracy.

Thousands of people marched through New Delhi Monday toward India's Supreme Court, where opposition leaders sought to challenge a sweeping revision of the country's voter registration lists. More than 130 million names have been removed from those voter lists, which opposition politicians and civil society leaders have called into question as tampering by the ruling party's government. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Mukulika Banerjee, a social anthropologist at the London School of Economics who researches India's democracy.

Voter poll purge ignites march on India's Supreme Court

We take a couple of minutes to listen to a talented 12-year-old busking on the famous Grafton Street in Dublin. Riordan Hopwood has covered "Dreams" by The Cranberries and "Anna" by The Beatles. Host Marco Werman has the details.

We take a couple of minutes to listen to a talented 12-year-old busking on the famous Grafton Street in Dublin. Riordan Hopwood has covered "Dreams" by The Cranberries and "Anna" by The Beatles. Host Marco Werman has the details.

12-year-old busker wows on Ireland's streets

A small population of desert lions in Namibia have become the only maritime lions in the world. They’ve moved to the country’s Atlantic coast in search of food, as climate change and extreme weather force a shift in their hunting patterns. Griet Van Malderen is a wildlife photographer who has spent years following the pride. She spoke with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about what she’s seen. This story originally aired on Oct. 17, 2025.

A small population of desert lions in Namibia have become the only maritime lions in the world. They’ve moved to the country’s Atlantic coast in search of food, as climate change and extreme weather force a shift in their hunting patterns. Griet Van Malderen is a wildlife photographer who has spent years following the pride. She spoke with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about what she’s seen.
This story originally aired on Oct. 17, 2025.

In search of food, desert lions in Namibia move to the sea

The Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in 2021, after the hasty conclusion to a 20-year US military occupation. Since then, music has been officially banned in the country. Musicians are driven underground, instruments are destroyed and recordings are contraband. In the East Bay, across from San Francisco, one Afghan American is working hard to preserve what he can. He’s digitizing tapes he’s sourced from back home and posting them in an online database he started calling the Afghan Cassette Archive. But getting those tapes out of Afghanistan is not as simple as an online order … it's an illegal, expensive and dangerous odyssey. Reporter Christopher Alam met up with Omid J, aka OMJVinyls, at his Oakland studio to check out his rare collection.

The Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in 2021, after the hasty conclusion to a 20-year US military occupation. Since then, music has been officially banned in the country. Musicians are driven underground, instruments are destroyed and recordings are contraband. In the East Bay, across from San Francisco, one Afghan American is working hard to preserve what he can. He’s digitizing tapes he’s sourced from back home and posting them in an online database he started calling the Afghan Cassette Archive. But getting those tapes out of Afghanistan is not as simple as an online order … it's an illegal, expensive and dangerous odyssey. Reporter Christopher Alam met up with Omid J, aka OMJVinyls, at his Oakland studio to check out his rare collection.

Keeping Afghanistan's musical tradition alive

As Syria tries to recover from civil war, it's working to create a constitution, and enact the rule of law. But a devastating problem persists: so-called “honor crimes,” where women and girls are killed in the name of “family honor.” Today, we hear the story of Nour — whose life was cut short by such an honor killing. Lina Chawaf reports from Syria.

As Syria tries to recover from civil war, it's working to create a constitution, and enact the rule of law. But a devastating problem persists: so-called “honor crimes,” where women and girls are killed in the name of “family honor.” Today, we hear the story of Nour — whose life was cut short by such an honor killing. Lina Chawaf reports from Syria.

Honor killings continue to dishonor Syria as it seeks to modernize

Czechs went to the polls today. It's the first of two days of voting to elect local representatives and fill one-third of senate seats. More than 8 million Czechs are eligible to vote. So are 237,000 non-Czech EU citizens living in the country, though many of them don't know it. But, as Deutsche Welle, DW's, Rob Cameron reports, three foreign-born residents have been trying to change that.

Czechs went to the polls today. It's the first of two days of voting to elect local representatives and fill one-third of senate seats. More than 8 million Czechs are eligible to vote. So are 237,000 non-Czech EU citizens living in the country, though many of them don't know it. But, as Deutsche Welle, DW's, Rob Cameron reports, three foreign-born residents have been trying to change that.

Some EU citizens get to vote in Czech elections

Workers building a vast new US consulate in Milan, Italy, got a big pay day this week. More than 60 laborers, mostly from India, got around $50,000 each for alleged labor abuses. It was part of a nearly $35-million settlement agreed to last month with Alabama-based Caddell Construction.

Workers building a vast new US consulate in Milan, Italy, got a big pay day this week. More than 60 laborers, mostly from India, got around $50,000 each for alleged labor abuses. It was part of a nearly $35-million settlement agreed to last month with Alabama-based Caddell Construction.

Milan worker payout

Musician El León Pardo pronounces himself king of Cumbia Espacial, or Space Cumbia. It's here that he's created a tropical, psychedelic-like world where the coral is constantly changing color and the trees have a language all their own. And because El León Pardo is king ,when he gives the signal, we all have to get up and dance. We'll hear the music of El León Pardo.

Musician El León Pardo pronounces himself king of Cumbia Espacial, or Space Cumbia. It's here that he's created a tropical, psychedelic-like world where the coral is constantly changing color and the trees have a language all their own. And because El León Pardo is king ,when he gives the signal, we all have to get up and dance. We'll hear the music of El León Pardo.

A musical trip to Cumbia Espacial

Mexico is bringing back the bison — also elk and prairie dogs. It's part of an effort to re-wild a massive swath of land in the state of Sonora, along the US-Mexico border. A binational nonprofit is helping to make it happen. From KJZZ, Nina Kravinsky has the story.

Mexico is bringing back the bison — also elk and prairie dogs. It's part of an effort to re-wild a massive swath of land in the state of Sonora, along the US-Mexico border. A binational nonprofit is helping to make it happen. From KJZZ, Nina Kravinsky has the story.

Mexico brings back the bison

Former International Criminal Court judge Navi Pillay is the recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Iva Vukušić, assistant professor of international history at Utrecht University in the Netherlands who specializes in international courts, about Pillay's work and legacy.

Former International Criminal Court judge Navi Pillay is the recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Iva Vukušić, assistant professor of international history at Utrecht University in the Netherlands who specializes in international courts, about Pillay's work and legacy.

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to former ICC judge

One of the Guinea-Bissau's most important songwriters was Jose Carlos Schwarz. His politically-charged songs helped the country win its 11-year independence war against Portugal in 1974. A group of musicians from the West African country is now celebrating his legacy. From Lisbon, Ricci Shryock reports.

One of the Guinea-Bissau's most important songwriters was Jose Carlos Schwarz. His politically-charged songs helped the country win its 11-year independence war against Portugal in 1974. A group of musicians from the West African country is now celebrating his legacy. From Lisbon, Ricci Shryock reports.

Guinea-Bissau celebrates legendary independence-era musician

Nine months after former President Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces, protests are surging across Venezuela. People are taking to the streets over blackouts, low wages, political prisoners and demands for new elections. Even some longtime "Chavistas" are protesting the government for its closer relationship with Washington. The World’s Tibisay Zea looks at why Venezuelans are taking to the streets again — and what that says about the country’s uneasy political transition.

Nine months after former President Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces, protests are surging across Venezuela. People are taking to the streets over blackouts, low wages, political prisoners and demands for new elections. Even some longtime "Chavistas" are protesting the government for its closer relationship with Washington. The World’s Tibisay Zea looks at why Venezuelans are taking to the streets again — and what that says about the country’s uneasy political transition.

A new wave of protests spreads across Venezuela

Acclaimed poet, essayist and translator Anne Carson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature today. The work of the genre-bending writer includes prose and essays that lean heavily into classical myths. Classicist Natalie Haynes tells The World’s Host Marco Werman how Carson plays with the strange and joyous in classics works.

Acclaimed poet, essayist and translator Anne Carson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature today. The work of the genre-bending writer includes prose and essays that lean heavily into classical myths. Classicist Natalie Haynes tells The World’s Host Marco Werman how Carson plays with the strange and joyous in classics works.

Canadian poet clinches Nobel Prize in Literature

Germany has a new roadmap for its transition away from fossil fuels. It sets a deadline of 2045 and moves up the target to eliminate the use of coal. But the plan is being presented against a domestic political backdrop of significant disagreement over energy policy. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Miranda Schreurs, professor of climate policy at the Technical University of Munich, about what's going on.

Germany has a new roadmap for its transition away from fossil fuels. It sets a deadline of 2045 and moves up the target to eliminate the use of coal. But the plan is being presented against a domestic political backdrop of significant disagreement over energy policy. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Miranda Schreurs, professor of climate policy at the Technical University of Munich, about what's going on.

Big Fix: Germany's new roadmap away from fossil fuels

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman give quick updates on stories we've been following: Ethiopia's government retakes control of the northern city of Mekelle; Maria del Carmen Abascal, the face of Spain's housing reform movement, has died; NASA releases new photos taken by the Curiosity rover on Mars.

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman give quick updates on stories we've been following: Ethiopia's government retakes control of the northern city of Mekelle; Maria del Carmen Abascal, the face of Spain's housing reform movement, has died; NASA releases new photos taken by the Curiosity rover on Mars.

News you may have missed

For the first time in history, the World Bank has completely rejected the findings of its internal watchdog, prompting the head of the monitor to resign. The watchdog found that the bank had violated its own policies and failed to do proper due diligence before investing $400 million into Cambodian microfinance firms. Those firms harmed impoverished borrowers, pushing them to sell land and make their children work to repay loans, the watchdog determined. Leila Goldstein reports from Ratanakiri, Cambodia.

For the first time in history, the World Bank has completely rejected the findings of its internal watchdog, prompting the head of the monitor to resign. The watchdog found that the bank had violated its own policies and failed to do proper due diligence before investing $400 million into Cambodian microfinance firms. Those firms harmed impoverished borrowers, pushing them to sell land and make their children work to repay loans, the watchdog determined. Leila Goldstein reports from Ratanakiri, Cambodia.

World Bank ignores its own internal watchdog

The Canadian government is preparing to destroy the testimonies given by tens of thousands of First Nations people about the abuse they endured as children at residential schools. The government promised survivors of these schools that their testimony would remain confidential. About 10 years ago, the Supreme Court ordered those records destroyed. But that plan has been controversial. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with journalist Connie Walker about what is happening with that process.

The Canadian government is preparing to destroy the testimonies given by tens of thousands of First Nations people about the abuse they endured as children at residential schools. The government promised survivors of these schools that their testimony would remain confidential. About 10 years ago, the Supreme Court ordered those records destroyed. But that plan has been controversial. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with journalist Connie Walker about what is happening with that process.

Canada to destroy residential school testimonies in one year

Hamas’ attack on Israel three years ago today transformed the Middle East, setting in motion events that would have been implausible before the incursion. Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, and The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler discuss how the balance of power has shifted, and what new regional order is emerging.

Hamas’ attack on Israel three years ago today transformed the Middle East, setting in motion events that would have been implausible before the incursion. Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, and The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler discuss how the balance of power has shifted, and what new regional order is emerging.

How Oct. 7, 2023, reshaped the Middle East

Gaza City resident Mohammed Aklouk has difficulty navigating through his hometown because landmarks are still not recognizable after three years of war. The father of three young children works as a Shelter Cluster Information Management Coordinator with the Norwegian Refugee Council. Although his children are back in school, Aklouk tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler his family still lives in constant fear of Israeli attacks.

Gaza City resident Mohammed Aklouk has difficulty navigating through his hometown because landmarks are still not recognizable after three years of war. The father of three young children works as a Shelter Cluster Information Management Coordinator with the Norwegian Refugee Council. Although his children are back in school, Aklouk tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler his family still lives in constant fear of Israeli attacks.

Gaza: Lives altered beyond recognition

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Lebanon has been through repeated waves of war, displacement and uncertainty. From a woman seeking solace by the Mediterranean to residents divided over Hezbollah’s role, The World's Shirin Jaafari reports from Lebanon on a country struggling to rebuild while uncertainty over another round of fighting lingers.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Lebanon has been through repeated waves of war, displacement and uncertainty. From a woman seeking solace by the Mediterranean to residents divided over Hezbollah’s role, The World's Shirin Jaafari reports from Lebanon on a country struggling to rebuild while uncertainty over another round of fighting lingers.

Beirut residents speak of life interrupted by war and uncertainty

Germany’s former top spy appeared in federal court yesterday, suspected of spying and treason. Authorities say that retired spy chief August Hanning and an accomplice inside the Bundesnachrichtendienst, the country's foreign intelligence agency, stole an estimated 2,000 documents, and may have used some that classified information to compile a report for a foreign country's intelligence services. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learned more from Hans-Jakob Schindler, a German security analyst and director of the Counter-Extremism Project, who joined from New York.

Germany’s former top spy appeared in federal court yesterday, suspected of spying and treason. Authorities say that retired spy chief August Hanning and an accomplice inside the Bundesnachrichtendienst, the country's foreign intelligence agency, stole an estimated 2,000 documents, and may have used some that classified information to compile a report for a foreign country's intelligence services. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learned more from Hans-Jakob Schindler, a German security analyst and director of the Counter-Extremism Project, who joined from New York.

Germany's former top spy accused of stealing thousands of classified documents

Last year, inspired by musician Brian Eno, London's Heathrow airport produced a four-minute ambient music track titled "Music for Heathrow." Host Carolyn Beeler gives us a listen.This story originally aired on July 10, 2025.

Last year, inspired by musician Brian Eno, London's Heathrow airport produced a four-minute ambient music track titled "Music for Heathrow." Host Carolyn Beeler gives us a listen.
This story originally aired on July 10, 2025.

The sounds of (not) silence

Sometimes the biggest events in our lives can be triggered by a moment of serendipity.  That was the case for National Geographic photographer Amy Toensing. A chance meeting when she was on assignment leads to a whole new chapter in her life. She shares her experience on GBH's Stories from the Stage.

Sometimes the biggest events in our lives can be triggered by a moment of serendipity.  That was the case for National Geographic photographer Amy Toensing. A chance meeting when she was on assignment leads to a whole new chapter in her life. She shares her experience on GBH's Stories from the Stage.

A chance encounter leads to a huge life change

Kibbutz Be'eri was one of the first-ever communities created in Israel, in 1946, before the state itself. It was also one of the worst-hit kibbutzim on Oct. 7, 2023. One hundred thirty homes were burned down or reduced to rubble. More than 100 of its 1,100 residents were killed and another 30 abducted to Gaza. Some survivors of the attack have called it one of the starkest symbols of Hamas' brutality on that day. Reporter Stephanie Freid was at Be'eri in the days after the attack, and she revisits to see how things are now.

Kibbutz Be'eri was one of the first-ever communities created in Israel, in 1946, before the state itself. It was also one of the worst-hit kibbutzim on Oct. 7, 2023. One hundred thirty homes were burned down or reduced to rubble. More than 100 of its 1,100 residents were killed and another 30 abducted to Gaza. Some survivors of the attack have called it one of the starkest symbols of Hamas' brutality on that day. Reporter Stephanie Freid was at Be'eri in the days after the attack, and she revisits to see how things are now.

Revisiting one of the worst-hit kibbutzim from Oct. 7

Today, protesters marched across France for better public school funding, including more teachers, better facilities and shorter days. The demonstrations have often turned violent, and police have reacted in kind, injuring hundreds of mostly minors, while arresting thousands. The government of President Emmanuel Macron says the students' complaints are legitimate. But France is buckling under trillions of dollars of debt and its unclear how it might fix public schools. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Béziers, France.

Today, protesters marched across France for better public school funding, including more teachers, better facilities and shorter days. The demonstrations have often turned violent, and police have reacted in kind, injuring hundreds of mostly minors, while arresting thousands. The government of President Emmanuel Macron says the students' complaints are legitimate. But France is buckling under trillions of dollars of debt and its unclear how it might fix public schools. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Béziers, France.

High schoolers in France continue to take their frustrations out into the streets

Valerio Tuveri, aka Mr. Tuvs, has become a viral sensation known for videos of him removing graffiti in Rome. He's launched a one-man crusade against the street art which plagues Italy’s ancient capital. From our partners at Deutsche Welle, DW, reporter Angelo van Schaik spent a morning walking around the city with him.

Valerio Tuveri, aka Mr. Tuvs, has become a viral sensation known for videos of him removing graffiti in Rome. He's launched a one-man crusade against the street art which plagues Italy’s ancient capital. From our partners at Deutsche Welle, DW, reporter Angelo van Schaik spent a morning walking around the city with him.