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.

Since 1972, a brotherhood of monks who have left the Greek Orthodox Church have retained control of the Esphigmenou Monastery on Mt. Athos. "Rebel monks" have effectively been squatting in a monastery in the self-governed territory of the church, defying the orders of the Patriarch in Istanbul. Police efforts to evict them have been met with stones and Molotov cocktails. Durrie Bouscaren reports from Istanbul.

Since 1972, a brotherhood of monks who have left the Greek Orthodox Church have retained control of the Esphigmenou Monastery on Mt. Athos. "Rebel monks" have effectively been squatting in a monastery in the self-governed territory of the church, defying the orders of the Patriarch in Istanbul. Police efforts to evict them have been met with stones and Molotov cocktails. Durrie Bouscaren reports from Istanbul.

Tensions simmer as rival brotherhoods lay claim to 10th-century monastery

Fima Chupakhin is a jazz pianist from Ukraine. For the past 10 years, though, he's been living in New York City. Chupakhin hasn't been back in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion, however, he's been a staunch advocate for his home country. In fact, if you're a Ukrainian musician visiting New York for a fundraising concert or any other advocacy event, you've probably met or even performed with Fima Chupakhin. The World's Daniel Ofman reports.

Fima Chupakhin is a jazz pianist from Ukraine. For the past 10 years, though, he's been living in New York City. Chupakhin hasn't been back in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion, however, he's been a staunch advocate for his home country. In fact, if you're a Ukrainian musician visiting New York for a fundraising concert or any other advocacy event, you've probably met or even performed with Fima Chupakhin. The World's Daniel Ofman reports.

Ukrainian jazz pianist serenades his home country from afar

Apiwe Nxasani-Mawela launched her craft brewery Tolokazi Beer in 2021 — making her South Africa's first Black female brewery owner. Now, she's teaching the next generation of female brewers how to make their own craft beers, as she tells Host Marco Werman.

Apiwe Nxasani-Mawela launched her craft brewery Tolokazi Beer in 2021 — making her South Africa's first Black female brewery owner. Now, she's teaching the next generation of female brewers how to make their own craft beers, as she tells Host Marco Werman.

South Africa's first Black female brewery owner teaches the next generation of brewers

China and India are beginning to view each other as possible allies — instead of historic adversaries. It's one of the side-effects of new US trade policy, which includes imposing significant tariffs on both countries. Host Marco Werman speaks with political scientist Sumit Ganguly about the significance of this change.

China and India are beginning to view each other as possible allies — instead of historic adversaries. It's one of the side-effects of new US trade policy, which includes imposing significant tariffs on both countries. Host Marco Werman speaks with political scientist Sumit Ganguly about the significance of this change.

India-China relations enter a new era

Founded in 2004, the Amawtay Wasi University is the only Indigenous university in Ecuador, and one of only a handful of Indigenous universities across South America. Roughly 2,000 students study there today. It’s goal is not only to help educate Indigenous peoples in Ecuador, but also promote their ancestral knowledge and languages. Michael Fox reports from the capital Quito.

Founded in 2004, the Amawtay Wasi University is the only Indigenous university in Ecuador, and one of only a handful of Indigenous universities across South America. Roughly 2,000 students study there today. It’s goal is not only to help educate Indigenous peoples in Ecuador, but also promote their ancestral knowledge and languages. Michael Fox reports from the capital Quito.

Ecuador's first Indigenous university has proven to be a big hit

Chicago has so many ethnic enclaves — it has Greektown, it has Chinatown. But what happened to the Lake View Japanese American community, and where did it go? The answer is directly tied to a Chicago immigrant experience like no other. Japanese Americans didn’t end up in Chicago of their own accord: The US government forcibly resettled 20,000 of them to the city from World War II incarceration camps. And, as part of that effort, the government pressured them to shed their Japanese identities and assimilate into white society. Katherine Nagasawa reports from WBEZ in Chicago.

Chicago has so many ethnic enclaves — it has Greektown, it has Chinatown. But what happened to the Lake View Japanese American community, and where did it go? The answer is directly tied to a Chicago immigrant experience like no other. Japanese Americans didn’t end up in Chicago of their own accord: The US government forcibly resettled 20,000 of them to the city from World War II incarceration camps. And, as part of that effort, the government pressured them to shed their Japanese identities and assimilate into white society. Katherine Nagasawa reports from WBEZ in Chicago.

Chicago's last Japanese neighborhood

The Kiruna Church and its famed belfry are being moved this week along a three-mile route to a new city center. The move is part of Kiruna's relocation, because the world’s largest underground iron-ore mine is threatening to swallow the town. Kiruna is Sweden's northernmost town, at 124 miles above the Arctic Circle. Host Marco Werman has the details.

The Kiruna Church and its famed belfry are being moved this week along a three-mile route to a new city center. The move is part of Kiruna's relocation, because the world’s largest underground iron-ore mine is threatening to swallow the town. Kiruna is Sweden's northernmost town, at 124 miles above the Arctic Circle. Host Marco Werman has the details.

Historic Swedish church being moved 3 miles down the road

Host Marco Werman remembers composer and musician Jamshied Sharifi. He created a sound that echoed his family's roots in Iran, making it a part of his own work, whether it was for his own ensemble, for Broadway or film.

Host Marco Werman remembers composer and musician Jamshied Sharifi. He created a sound that echoed his family's roots in Iran, making it a part of his own work, whether it was for his own ensemble, for Broadway or film.

Remembering Iranian musician Jamshied Sharifi

Thousands of ancient texts returned to Timbuktu, a historical center of learning in West Africa. The manuscripts were smuggled out of the city over a decade ago as al-Qaeda affiliates took over and destroyed much of the city's UNESCO World Heritage site. Host Marco Werman speaks with analyst Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Sahel program, which is based in the Malian capital Bamako.

Thousands of ancient texts returned to Timbuktu, a historical center of learning in West Africa. The manuscripts were smuggled out of the city over a decade ago as al-Qaeda affiliates took over and destroyed much of the city's UNESCO World Heritage site. Host Marco Werman speaks with analyst Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Sahel program, which is based in the Malian capital Bamako.

Mali returns precious documents to Timbuktu, projecting normalcy amid instability

Chappell Roan has name-dropped Los Angeles and Tennessee in hit songs of albums past. But on "The Subway," out this month, the pop star mentions a Canadian province. Now, that province is getting a bit of a boost from the singer's fans. The World's Bianca Hillier has the story.

Chappell Roan has name-dropped Los Angeles and Tennessee in hit songs of albums past. But on "The Subway," out this month, the pop star mentions a Canadian province. Now, that province is getting a bit of a boost from the singer's fans. The World's Bianca Hillier has the story.

The 'Midwest Princess' sets her sights up north in new song

Globally, plastic producers make more than 400 million tons of plastic each year. But less than 10% is ever recycled. So what happens to the rest? In Indonesia, some of it is burned during the tofu production process. Host Marco Werman speaks with anthropologist Gauri Pathak about why plastic is burned, what it does to human health and how Indonesia and other countries are dealing with plastic imports from countries in the Global North.

Globally, plastic producers make more than 400 million tons of plastic each year. But less than 10% is ever recycled. So what happens to the rest? In Indonesia, some of it is burned during the tofu production process. Host Marco Werman speaks with anthropologist Gauri Pathak about why plastic is burned, what it does to human health and how Indonesia and other countries are dealing with plastic imports from countries in the Global North.

To deal with the inundation of plastic waste, some countries burn it. In Indonesia, the end product is tofu.

Journalist Fatih Atayli is a household name in Turkey — known for his straight-down-the-aisle commentary on his popular YouTube channel. On June 21, he was taken into custody on charges of insulting the Turkish president, and remains one of 17 Turkish journalists currently behind bars. But as Durrie Bouscaren reports from Istanbul, Atayli refuses to be silenced.

Journalist Fatih Atayli is a household name in Turkey — known for his straight-down-the-aisle commentary on his popular YouTube channel. On June 21, he was taken into custody on charges of insulting the Turkish president, and remains one of 17 Turkish journalists currently behind bars. But as Durrie Bouscaren reports from Istanbul, Atayli refuses to be silenced.

The story of Fatih Atayli's empty chair

Canada's labor relations board said today that the Air Canada strike is illegal and ordered the 10,000 flight attendants back to work. Host Marco Werman has more.

Canada's labor relations board said today that the Air Canada strike is illegal and ordered the 10,000 flight attendants back to work. Host Marco Werman has more.

Air Canada strike continues

Latin Grammy winner and Brazilian soul icon Liniker has been a musical trailblazer since 2015. Her latest album is Caju. It's a ground-breaking album for the artist, not just musically, but also personally. Liniker speaks to host Carolyn Beeler.

Latin Grammy winner and Brazilian soul icon Liniker has been a musical trailblazer since 2015. Her latest album is Caju. It's a ground-breaking album for the artist, not just musically, but also personally. Liniker speaks to host Carolyn Beeler.

Brazilian soul singer Liniker releases her most personal album yet

Ukraine is Russia, and the invasion of Ukraine simply represents the return to an older, fundamental reality. That’s the worldview of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The World’s Marco Werman speaks with Nina Khrushcheva, a professor of international affairs at the New School in New York and the great granddaughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, about the mistrust on both sides of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Ukraine is Russia, and the invasion of Ukraine simply represents the return to an older, fundamental reality. That’s the worldview of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The World’s Marco Werman speaks with Nina Khrushcheva, a professor of international affairs at the New School in New York and the great granddaughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, about the mistrust on both sides of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Russia does have 'legitimate grievances,' says Kremlin analyst

Bolivia has had one ruling party for more than two decades, and that is coming to an end. Yesterday, Bolivian voters gave an unprecedented rebuke to the Movement Toward Socialism party, or MAS, in a presidential vote. Host Marco Werman has more.

Bolivia has had one ruling party for more than two decades, and that is coming to an end. Yesterday, Bolivian voters gave an unprecedented rebuke to the Movement Toward Socialism party, or MAS, in a presidential vote. Host Marco Werman has more.

Ruling party knocked out of Bolivian election

Negotiations for a global treaty to regulate plastic have stalled out in Geneva. So where does that leave us on a global effort to reduce the amount of plastic in our environment and even our bodies? Host Marco Werman discusses the state of the world's plastic problem and the inadequacy of current interventions with Amy Youngman, legal and policy analyst for the Environmental Investigations Agency.

Negotiations for a global treaty to regulate plastic have stalled out in Geneva. So where does that leave us on a global effort to reduce the amount of plastic in our environment and even our bodies? Host Marco Werman discusses the state of the world's plastic problem and the inadequacy of current interventions with Amy Youngman, legal and policy analyst for the Environmental Investigations Agency.

Treaty negotiations have collapsed, but the plastics problem demands solutions

For almost two years, Palestinians in Gaza have been recording everything – some as trained journalists, others as citizen journalists. They're documenting what's happening all around them, recording as much as possible in case their version of events is called into question. But it's more than that, too: they're also making sure the world knows they existed. The World’s Shirin Jaafari explains.

For almost two years, Palestinians in Gaza have been recording everything – some as trained journalists, others as citizen journalists. They're documenting what's happening all around them, recording as much as possible in case their version of events is called into question. But it's more than that, too: they're also making sure the world knows they existed. The World’s Shirin Jaafari explains.

'Tell the world I was here': Documenting life in Gaza

Crate diggers are a passionate bunch, and with websites like Discogs and eBay, they've got something of a global network. Jayesh Veralkar is a part of it. He's a record collector in Dubai and co-founder of Vinyl Souk, a grassroots organization for record collectors in the United Arab Emirates. Host Marco Werman chats with Veralkar about what makes the scene unique, and they play some great music while they're at it.

Crate diggers are a passionate bunch, and with websites like Discogs and eBay, they've got something of a global network. Jayesh Veralkar is a part of it. He's a record collector in Dubai and co-founder of Vinyl Souk, a grassroots organization for record collectors in the United Arab Emirates. Host Marco Werman chats with Veralkar about what makes the scene unique, and they play some great music while they're at it.

The vinyl-collecting scene in Dubai

Ahead of today's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rolled up to the conference wearing a sweatshirt plastered with the letters "C-C-C-P." That's "U-S-S-R," written in the Cyrillic alphabet. It was Lavrov's cheeky way of reminding people that Ukraine was once a Soviet state. Coincidentally last week, two other former Soviet states in longstanding conflict just signed a peace declaration: Armenia and Azerbaijan. As Dorian Jones reports for our partners at Deutsche Welle, that agreement has big implications for Russia and for Turkey.

Ahead of today's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rolled up to the conference wearing a sweatshirt plastered with the letters "C-C-C-P." That's "U-S-S-R," written in the Cyrillic alphabet. It was Lavrov's cheeky way of reminding people that Ukraine was once a Soviet state. Coincidentally last week, two other former Soviet states in longstanding conflict just signed a peace declaration: Armenia and Azerbaijan. As Dorian Jones reports for our partners at Deutsche Welle, that agreement has big implications for Russia and for Turkey.

A peace deal for Armenia and Azerbaijan has far-reaching implications

In the south of Thailand, the dialect is faster, the sun is hotter and the food is not just spicy... it’s atomic. Reporter Patrick Winn visited a small-town cook who makes a curry soup that people travel from afar to taste. It's got a special ingredient — big, gooey eggs from giant catfish. This story originally aired in the wintertime, but the soup is a delicacy for every season.

In the south of Thailand, the dialect is faster, the sun is hotter and the food is not just spicy... it’s atomic. Reporter Patrick Winn visited a small-town cook who makes a curry soup that people travel from afar to taste. It's got a special ingredient — big, gooey eggs from giant catfish. This story originally aired in the wintertime, but the soup is a delicacy for every season.

Spicy Thai soup with a twist: Big, gooey fish eggs

Today marks 80 year since Japan surrendered to allied forces — including China — at the end of World War II. Decades later, China-Japan relations are as complex as ever. Competition between the US and China has grown, and now Japan is caught in the middle. Daisuke Kawai offered a perspective on those dynamics, in conversation with Host Marco Werman. Kawai is Director of the Economic Security and Policy Innovation Program at the University of Tokyo.

Today marks 80 year since Japan surrendered to allied forces — including China — at the end of World War II. Decades later, China-Japan relations are as complex as ever. Competition between the US and China has grown, and now Japan is caught in the middle. Daisuke Kawai offered a perspective on those dynamics, in conversation with Host Marco Werman. Kawai is Director of the Economic Security and Policy Innovation Program at the University of Tokyo.

How Japan and China get along, 80 years after V-J Day

Over 8 million people were lifted out of poverty in Mexico in recent years, according to new government statistics. The roughly 18% reduction has been credited, in part, to the policies of the country's previous administration under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Viri Ríos of Mexico Decoded joined Host Marco Werman to discuss the findings.

Over 8 million people were lifted out of poverty in Mexico in recent years, according to new government statistics. The roughly 18% reduction has been credited, in part, to the policies of the country's previous administration under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Viri Ríos of Mexico Decoded joined Host Marco Werman to discuss the findings.

Poverty declines in Mexico

Ukraine will not be in the room when Russian President Vladimir Putin meets US President Donald Trump on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, but they are watching intently for what comes out of that summit. We hear two views from Ukraine from Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze in Kyiv and Alex Zaytsev in Ivano-Frankivsk, who exemplify mixed feelings about a possible end to the war, and whether peace with Russia can be trusted.

Ukraine will not be in the room when Russian President Vladimir Putin meets US President Donald Trump on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, but they are watching intently for what comes out of that summit. We hear two views from Ukraine from Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze in Kyiv and Alex Zaytsev in Ivano-Frankivsk, who exemplify mixed feelings about a possible end to the war, and whether peace with Russia can be trusted.

Ukrainians cast wary eyes toward Alaska

Vanna Howard was just 11 years old when she came to the US from Cambodia. She didn't speak any English. Apart from fleeing the large-scale violence that plagued Cambodia, Howard also experienced violence in her personal life. But instead of hiding that part of her past, she decided to use her pain to advocate for change. Vanna Howard shared her experiences with GBH's Stories From The Stage. (This story has descriptions of domestic violence that may be difficult for some listeners.)

Vanna Howard was just 11 years old when she came to the US from Cambodia. She didn't speak any English. Apart from fleeing the large-scale violence that plagued Cambodia, Howard also experienced violence in her personal life. But instead of hiding that part of her past, she decided to use her pain to advocate for change. Vanna Howard shared her experiences with GBH's Stories From The Stage.
(This story has descriptions of domestic violence that may be difficult for some listeners.)

A Cambodian immigrant to the US advocates for change, leaning on personal experience

Fifty-year-old Manuel Jaén's family has been making Roman balances for centuries. The scales are extremely accurate and — if taken care of — last for hundreds of years. In many remote corners of the world, an old fashioned Roman balance beats out digital scales anytime. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Santibáñez de Béjar, Spain.

Fifty-year-old Manuel Jaén's family has been making Roman balances for centuries. The scales are extremely accurate and — if taken care of — last for hundreds of years. In many remote corners of the world, an old fashioned Roman balance beats out digital scales anytime. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Santibáñez de Béjar, Spain.

The Spanish artisan keeping an ancient Roman tradition alive

It's the final day of talks in Geneva to to nail down a global treaty governing the lifecycle of plastic. But negotiations have hit an impasse. One of the main disagreements pertains to plastic production. Many countries want to set a universal target for reducing the amount of plastic being produced, but others worry about potential economic impacts. Chris Dixon, an observer with the Environment Investigations Agency, joined The World's Host Marco Werman from Geneva.

It's the final day of talks in Geneva to to nail down a global treaty governing the lifecycle of plastic. But negotiations have hit an impasse. One of the main disagreements pertains to plastic production. Many countries want to set a universal target for reducing the amount of plastic being produced, but others worry about potential economic impacts. Chris Dixon, an observer with the Environment Investigations Agency, joined The World's Host Marco Werman from Geneva.

Plastic pollution treaty in deadlock

Fiona Hill advised US President Donald Trump on Russia during his first term and is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. She's also one of the few people to have been in a room with  Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. She's watched their dynamics up close. As the high-stakes Alaska summit approaches, she shares concerns and predictions with The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Fiona Hill advised US President Donald Trump on Russia during his first term and is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. She's also one of the few people to have been in a room with  Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. She's watched their dynamics up close. As the high-stakes Alaska summit approaches, she shares concerns and predictions with The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Trump 'can't hand Ukraine on a platter' to Putin, says former top advisor

A children's song both loved and reviled for its stuck-in-your-head catchiness has been at the center of a legal dispute since 2019, when an American composer filed a lawsuit in Seoul alleging that the Korean band Pinkfong copied his song. The World's Host Marco Werman has the latest on today's ruling.

A children's song both loved and reviled for its stuck-in-your-head catchiness has been at the center of a legal dispute since 2019, when an American composer filed a lawsuit in Seoul alleging that the Korean band Pinkfong copied his song. The World's Host Marco Werman has the latest on today's ruling.

South Korean court says 'Baby Shark' tune was not plagiarized

Historically, for athletes, playing for the Canadian Hockey League has meant giving up a big opportunity: playing NCAA hockey in the US. This season, though, that all changes. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

Historically, for athletes, playing for the Canadian Hockey League has meant giving up a big opportunity: playing NCAA hockey in the US. This season, though, that all changes. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.