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.

British authorities are investigating whether a foreign state was involved in an apparent plot to attack an airbase used by the US military. Five masked men were arrested near an RAF base in England early yesterday on suspicion of "explosives and terrorism offenses." The base has been used by US warplanes to carry out what have been described as defensive operations against Iranian attacks. Iran’s embassy in London has denied any involvement in the incident, and the five suspects have since been released. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joins Host Aaron Schachter with the latest.

British authorities are investigating whether a foreign state was involved in an apparent plot to attack an airbase used by the US military. Five masked men were arrested near an RAF base in England early yesterday on suspicion of "explosives and terrorism offenses." The base has been used by US warplanes to carry out what have been described as defensive operations against Iranian attacks. Iran’s embassy in London has denied any involvement in the incident, and the five suspects have since been released. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joins Host Aaron Schachter with the latest.

Latest on UK airbase threat

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a growing problem. Much of it ends up in Ghana and Nigeria, where informal recycling operations have blossomed. There's now an effort to organize and formalize some of those informal networks. The World's Host Aaron Schacter speaks with Khiddir Iddris, researcher at the University of Ghana, about e-waste as an economic engine.

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a growing problem. Much of it ends up in Ghana and Nigeria, where informal recycling operations have blossomed. There's now an effort to organize and formalize some of those informal networks. The World's Host Aaron Schacter speaks with Khiddir Iddris, researcher at the University of Ghana, about e-waste as an economic engine.

The economics of e-waste

More than 30 people have been reported killed in a series of at least four separate mass shootings that have taken place in South Africa over the past week. The World's Host Aaron Schachter learned more from Guy Lamb, a criminologist at Stellenbosch University, who joined the show from Capetown.

More than 30 people have been reported killed in a series of at least four separate mass shootings that have taken place in South Africa over the past week. The World's Host Aaron Schachter learned more from Guy Lamb, a criminologist at Stellenbosch University, who joined the show from Capetown.

South African authorities investigate multiple mass shootings

Waves of jet-powered drones struck the National Academy of Sciences as well as a hospital in Kyiv today. Elsewhere, Russian attacks killed residents, including children, in Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipro. Increasingly, vital economic targets are coming under fire. Reporter Jared Goyette tells The World’s Host Aaron Schachter that Ukraine has few means to defend itself against escalating attacks on its infrastructure.

Waves of jet-powered drones struck the National Academy of Sciences as well as a hospital in Kyiv today. Elsewhere, Russian attacks killed residents, including children, in Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipro. Increasingly, vital economic targets are coming under fire. Reporter Jared Goyette tells The World’s Host Aaron Schachter that Ukraine has few means to defend itself against escalating attacks on its infrastructure.

Sustained Russian assaults target Kyiv and key Ukrainian cities

Teenagers across Latin America are turning an internet joke into a real-world competition. In “aura battles,” participants face off with poses, dance moves and swagger, trying to win over the crowd — and sometimes cash prizes. The trend has drawn hundreds to public plazas from Mexico to Argentina. The World’s Tibisay Zea looks at where “farming aura” came from, why it caught on, and why some adults see an unexpected social upside.

Teenagers across Latin America are turning an internet joke into a real-world competition. In “aura battles,” participants face off with poses, dance moves and swagger, trying to win over the crowd — and sometimes cash prizes. The trend has drawn hundreds to public plazas from Mexico to Argentina. The World’s Tibisay Zea looks at where “farming aura” came from, why it caught on, and why some adults see an unexpected social upside.

'Farming aura' battles draw crowds across Latin America and Spain

The right of the dead to be buried is a theme so ancient that Sophocles’ heroine Antigone gave her fictional life for it almost two and a half thousand years ago. Antigone’s principled insistence that the dead must be buried, no matter who they are or what they might have done, is something that speaks straight to us today. Lisa Louis reports from Latvia, where for decades, a group of international volunteers has been painstakingly digging up the remains of tens of thousands of soldiers fallen in battles past. Many of these soldiers were Russian — but the war in Ukraine is making things rather complicated.

The right of the dead to be buried is a theme so ancient that Sophocles’ heroine Antigone gave her fictional life for it almost two and a half thousand years ago. Antigone’s principled insistence that the dead must be buried, no matter who they are or what they might have done, is something that speaks straight to us today. Lisa Louis reports from Latvia, where for decades, a group of international volunteers has been painstakingly digging up the remains of tens of thousands of soldiers fallen in battles past. Many of these soldiers were Russian — but the war in Ukraine is making things rather complicated.

Burials for soldiers of wars past

Brazil's high-stakes presidential election is less than a week away, and a crisis is unraveling at the country’s Supreme Court. A corruption scandal has led to justices trading insults and canceling sessions. Now, some voters are casting their ballots to help shape the Court's future. Michael Fox has the story from Florianopolis, Brazil.

Brazil's high-stakes presidential election is less than a week away, and a crisis is unraveling at the country’s Supreme Court. A corruption scandal has led to justices trading insults and canceling sessions. Now, some voters are casting their ballots to help shape the Court's future. Michael Fox has the story from Florianopolis, Brazil.

Brazil's Supreme Court in crisis ahead of high-stakes election

The Mighty Sparrow, a musician known as the king of calypso, has died. Sparrow helped preserve and popularize the music of his home country Trinidad and Tobago.

The Mighty Sparrow, a musician known as the king of calypso, has died. Sparrow helped preserve and popularize the music of his home country Trinidad and Tobago.

Mighty Sparrow dies at 91

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping concluded a three-day state visit with a two-month extension of their trade truce, but no major breakthroughs on Taiwan, artificial intelligence or Iran. The World spoke with Wang Guan, an anchor and commentator for China's state-run CGTN, about how Beijing views the talks and why he considers the meeting crucial.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping concluded a three-day state visit with a two-month extension of their trade truce, but no major breakthroughs on Taiwan, artificial intelligence or Iran. The World spoke with Wang Guan, an anchor and commentator for China's state-run CGTN, about how Beijing views the talks and why he considers the meeting crucial.

A view from Beijing on Xi-Trump meeting

Global foreign aid is shrinking at a historic rate, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). US aid fell by 57% last year but America is far from alone. Several European countries, including the UK, France and Germany, have all slashed their overseas aid budgets in the past two years. International aid organizations warn that the cutbacks are already having a serious impact. The World’s Europe correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Global foreign aid is shrinking at a historic rate, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). US aid fell by 57% last year but America is far from alone. Several European countries, including the UK, France and Germany, have all slashed their overseas aid budgets in the past two years. International aid organizations warn that the cutbacks are already having a serious impact. The World’s Europe correspondent Orla Barry reports.

The global pullback from foreign aid

The US government says the war with Iran has cost about $44 billion so far. But experts say that figure captures only part of the bill, leaving out long-term costs like military repairs, veterans’ care, debt, economic ripple effects and environmental damage. The World’s Shirin Jaafari looks at why the true cost of a war can take a long time to come into focus.

The US government says the war with Iran has cost about $44 billion so far. But experts say that figure captures only part of the bill, leaving out long-term costs like military repairs, veterans’ care, debt, economic ripple effects and environmental damage. The World’s Shirin Jaafari looks at why the true cost of a war can take a long time to come into focus.

The true cost of war

The UK is planning to call a Parliamentary Select Committee hearing to ask why Britain always seems to do so badly in the Eurovision Song Contest. DW's Daniel Rosney gathered his own expert witnesses and made a valiant attempt to figure out why the UK can't win.

The UK is planning to call a Parliamentary Select Committee hearing to ask why Britain always seems to do so badly in the Eurovision Song Contest. DW's Daniel Rosney gathered his own expert witnesses and made a valiant attempt to figure out why the UK can't win.

The UK is set to launch an inquiry into why the UK can’t win a Eurovision contest

Once a week, since late August, a plane has left Louisiana, carrying Haitians across the sea to the city of Cap-Haïtien. Many had been living in the US under Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. But the Department of Homeland Security ended TPS for Haitians in late July. Today, we focus on what that decision actually means for one individual. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with the Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles, who has been closely following the fate of 33-year-old Haitian pastor Molis Augustave.

Once a week, since late August, a plane has left Louisiana, carrying Haitians across the sea to the city of Cap-Haïtien. Many had been living in the US under Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. But the Department of Homeland Security ended TPS for Haitians in late July. Today, we focus on what that decision actually means for one individual. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with the Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles, who has been closely following the fate of 33-year-old Haitian pastor Molis Augustave.

The story of a Haitian deportee

New research is shedding light on the murky evolutionary history of bats. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with evolutionary biologist Ariadna Morales about the latest findings from the largest analysis of the bat genome.

New research is shedding light on the murky evolutionary history of bats. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with evolutionary biologist Ariadna Morales about the latest findings from the largest analysis of the bat genome.

Big news for bats

It's the end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, which means the season of a certain fermented fish delicacy is over. While Swedish food doesn’t quite capture international attention, surströmming — fermented herring in a can — is getting noticed in some corners of the internet. Now, the Swedes are hoping to get this delicacy designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage — despite how disgusting some people find it. The World’s Joshua Coe brought us this story earlier this year as he set out to see what all the fuss was about.This originally aired on March 9, 2026

It's the end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, which means the season of a certain fermented fish delicacy is over. While Swedish food doesn’t quite capture international attention, surströmming — fermented herring in a can — is getting noticed in some corners of the internet. Now, the Swedes are hoping to get this delicacy designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage — despite how disgusting some people find it. The World’s Joshua Coe brought us this story earlier this year as he set out to see what all the fuss was about.
This originally aired on March 9, 2026

How to eat Surströmming — the world’s worst-smelling food – the Swedish way

The English Premier League has reportedly found one of its top soccer teams, Manchester City F.C., guilty of wide-ranging financial misconduct. According to several media reports — which have yet to be officially confirmed — investigators have found Man City guilty of 114 violations of league rules.

The English Premier League has reportedly found one of its top soccer teams, Manchester City F.C., guilty of wide-ranging financial misconduct. According to several media reports — which have yet to be officially confirmed — investigators have found Man City guilty of 114 violations of league rules.

One of the UK’s top soccer teams found guilty on financial breaches

A new database holds close to 4 million records of people enslaved in British colonies from the Caribbean to South Africa during the early 1800s. Now free to use and searchable online, the archive was created by Ancestry.com with cooperation from the Center for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery at University College London. Host Marco Werman learned more from Matthew Smith, the director of that center at University College London.

A new database holds close to 4 million records of people enslaved in British colonies from the Caribbean to South Africa during the early 1800s. Now free to use and searchable online, the archive was created by Ancestry.com with cooperation from the Center for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery at University College London. Host Marco Werman learned more from Matthew Smith, the director of that center at University College London.

New database offers millions of records of people enslaved in British colonies

The town of Betrawati Bazaar in Nepal was nearly entirely flattened by the avalanche and floods on August 26th. Locals say they don't want to rebuild. The World's Carolyn Beeler reports on what the once-vibrant town looks like now and how locals are thinking about what comes next.

The town of Betrawati Bazaar in Nepal was nearly entirely flattened by the avalanche and floods on August 26th. Locals say they don't want to rebuild. The World's Carolyn Beeler reports on what the once-vibrant town looks like now and how locals are thinking about what comes next.

What’s next for Nepal?

Climate control for art and artifacts accounts for a huge share of museum carbon emissions. These protection standards have been in place for decades. But several years ago, new protocols were published that offer more flexibility to curb emissions while maintaining protection. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with Caitlin Southwick, an art conservator and founder of Ki Futures, about the growth of these new protocols.

Climate control for art and artifacts accounts for a huge share of museum carbon emissions. These protection standards have been in place for decades. But several years ago, new protocols were published that offer more flexibility to curb emissions while maintaining protection. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with Caitlin Southwick, an art conservator and founder of Ki Futures, about the growth of these new protocols.

The Big Fix: Inside the effort to curb emissions in museums

Forces in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region seized three airports this week — just days after seven armed and political groups announced an alliance against the country's government. The developments threaten to unravel a fragile 2022 peace agreement that ended two years of civil war. For the latest, The World's Carolyn Beeler spoke with Alex De Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation and an expert on the Horn of Africa.

Forces in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region seized three airports this week — just days after seven armed and political groups announced an alliance against the country's government. The developments threaten to unravel a fragile 2022 peace agreement that ended two years of civil war. For the latest, The World's Carolyn Beeler spoke with Alex De Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation and an expert on the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia faces specter of renewed war

A study published in the medical journal The Lancet found an average rise in sudden deaths of just over three percent per year from 2010 to 2020. Causes include less healthy eating habits and stress. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Girona, Spain.

A study published in the medical journal The Lancet found an average rise in sudden deaths of just over three percent per year from 2010 to 2020. Causes include less healthy eating habits and stress. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Girona, Spain.

Sudden deaths, mostly related to heart ailments, are rising quickly in Europe

Storyteller Shweta Bhatt was just thirteen when her mom took her to have her upper lip hair threaded. Many young Indian girls and others with dark hair have to deal with this experience. Bhatt shared her experience with GBH's Stories From The Stage on World TV. This first aired on August 22, 2024.

Storyteller Shweta Bhatt was just thirteen when her mom took her to have her upper lip hair threaded. Many young Indian girls and others with dark hair have to deal with this experience. Bhatt shared her experience with GBH's Stories From The Stage on World TV.
This first aired on August 22, 2024.

Stories from the Stage: Rite of passage for Indian American teenager and her mustache

On the outskirts of Edinburgh, a potato field could soon become the site of a massive AI data center. It is one of two dozen projects proposed across Scotland. But campaigners warn that if every proposed center were built, the data centers alone could consume more electricity than Scotland currently uses. DW's Richard Baynes has been finding out how Scots are taking on the might of data center developers — and may even be starting to win. His story first appeared on the Living Planet podcast.

On the outskirts of Edinburgh, a potato field could soon become the site of a massive AI data center. It is one of two dozen projects proposed across Scotland. But campaigners warn that if every proposed center were built, the data centers alone could consume more electricity than Scotland currently uses. DW's Richard Baynes has been finding out how Scots are taking on the might of data center developers — and may even be starting to win. His story first appeared on the Living Planet podcast.

Scottish residents protest new data center on the outskirts of Edinburgh

The Atlantic has yet to see a hurricane this season, while Hurricane Polo, which briefly reached Category 5 strength, threatens Mexico’s Pacific coast. The contrast comes as a powerful El Niño develops, bringing potentially devastating consequences worldwide:<a href="https://impactlab.org/news-insights/more-than-451000-heat-deaths-projected-from-super-el-nino/"> a new report</a> from the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab estimates that unusually high temperatures could contribute to more than 451,000 deaths between June 2026 and February 2027. Indiana University climate scientist Chris Callahan joins The World to discuss the report, the potential impacts of a “Super El Niño,” and what can be done to protect vulnerable populations.

The Atlantic has yet to see a hurricane this season, while Hurricane Polo, which briefly reached Category 5 strength, threatens Mexico’s Pacific coast. The contrast comes as a powerful El Niño develops, bringing potentially devastating consequences worldwide: a new report from the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab estimates that unusually high temperatures could contribute to more than 451,000 deaths between June 2026 and February 2027. Indiana University climate scientist Chris Callahan joins The World to discuss the report, the potential impacts of a “Super El Niño,” and what can be done to protect vulnerable populations.

New study projects over 450,000 El Niño-related heat deaths

Ezgi Karakus is a Turkish cellist who moved to Kansas City to study at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. She’s become an important figure in local classical and jazz communities. But she's also starting to make a name for herself playing Turkish disco based on Turkish folk songs. From Kansas City, Sylvia Maria Gross reports.

Ezgi Karakus is a Turkish cellist who moved to Kansas City to study at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. She’s become an important figure in local classical and jazz communities. But she's also starting to make a name for herself playing Turkish disco based on Turkish folk songs. From Kansas City, Sylvia Maria Gross reports.

Turkish psychedelic music is making a comeback — seriously

Host Marco Werman tells us about the Guinness World Record that has just been claimed by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris for his DJ set in the streets of São Paulo, Brazil, last February, by a single DJ. One million, six hundred thousand people were in the streets. How does that happen? Actually, given Harris' fan base and São Paulo's population, it isn't too hard.

Host Marco Werman tells us about the Guinness World Record that has just been claimed by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris for his DJ set in the streets of São Paulo, Brazil, last February, by a single DJ. One million, six hundred thousand people were in the streets. How does that happen? Actually, given Harris' fan base and São Paulo's population, it isn't too hard.

Scottish DJ makes history with the world’s biggest DJ dance party

Chinese leader Xi Jinping lands in Washington today for his first state visit since 2015. Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chief for The Economist, speaks with The World’s Marco Werman about the two leaders’ agenda, including questions around safety and artificial intelligence, Taiwan's future and the possible extension of a trade truce.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping lands in Washington today for his first state visit since 2015. Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chief for The Economist, speaks with The World’s Marco Werman about the two leaders’ agenda, including questions around safety and artificial intelligence, Taiwan's future and the possible extension of a trade truce.

Xi-Trump summit pageantry masks deep rifts

In the aftermath of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, an American Expressive Arts Therapist created an international network of mental health practitioners to support mental health colleagues in Ukraine. Host Marco Werman speaks with Nathalie Robelot-Timtchenko about this effort and her non-profit organization, First Aid of the Soul.

In the aftermath of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, an American Expressive Arts Therapist created an international network of mental health practitioners to support mental health colleagues in Ukraine. Host Marco Werman speaks with Nathalie Robelot-Timtchenko about this effort and her non-profit organization, First Aid of the Soul.

As the war in Ukraine rages on, mental health support needs are growing

Latin Grammy winner and Brazilian soul icon Liniker has been a musical trailblazer since 2015. Her latest album is Caju. It's a groundbreaking album for the artist, not just musically, but also personally. Liniker speaks to host Carolyn Beeler.This segment originally aired on Aug. 18, 2025.

Latin Grammy winner and Brazilian soul icon Liniker has been a musical trailblazer since 2015. Her latest album is Caju. It's a groundbreaking album for the artist, not just musically, but also personally. Liniker speaks to host Carolyn Beeler.
This segment originally aired on Aug. 18, 2025.

Brazilian soul singer Liniker releases her most personal album yet

Drones are changing the kinds of injuries that doctors see in war. They say they create complex wounds that can look deceptively small from the outside, but do immense damage inside. From Gaza to Ukraine, surgeons describe treating civilians with devastating shrapnel and blast injuries, while also adapting to a battlefield where getting patients to care can be more dangerous and take much longer. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

Drones are changing the kinds of injuries that doctors see in war. They say they create complex wounds that can look deceptively small from the outside, but do immense damage inside. From Gaza to Ukraine, surgeons describe treating civilians with devastating shrapnel and blast injuries, while also adapting to a battlefield where getting patients to care can be more dangerous and take much longer. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.