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.

Not far from the September 11 Memorial at Ground Zero is a statue of a modern US soldier on horseback. Officially, it’s known as “America's Response Monument.” As rescue workers continued to work through the smoldering rubble at Ground Zero, Mark Nutsch spearheaded that response, leading a 12-man Green Beret unit that became famous as the "Horse Soldiers." Nutsch spoke to Host Marco Werman about how his vastly outnumbered team, together with Afghan allies, took the fight to the Taliban and al-Qaeda in the early days of the War on Terror. He joined the show from Somerset, Kentucky.

Not far from the September 11 Memorial at Ground Zero is a statue of a modern US soldier on horseback. Officially, it’s known as “America's Response Monument.” As rescue workers continued to work through the smoldering rubble at Ground Zero, Mark Nutsch spearheaded that response, leading a 12-man Green Beret unit that became famous as the "Horse Soldiers." Nutsch spoke to Host Marco Werman about how his vastly outnumbered team, together with Afghan allies, took the fight to the Taliban and al-Qaeda in the early days of the War on Terror. He joined the show from Somerset, Kentucky.

Green Beret veteran recalls US' response to 9/11 attacks

Mohamedou Ould Slahi was imprisoned without charge at Guantánamo Bay for nearly 15 years. Arrested in 2001 and transferred through various prisons before arriving at Guantánamo, Slahi endured years of torture and harsh interrogation under the US government's post-9/11 counterterrorism efforts. He was detained on suspicion of terrorism, but no charges were ever filed against him. The World's Shirin Jaafari spoke with Slahi and brings us his story.

Mohamedou Ould Slahi was imprisoned without charge at Guantánamo Bay for nearly 15 years.
Arrested in 2001 and transferred through various prisons before arriving at Guantánamo, Slahi endured years of torture and harsh interrogation under the US government's post-9/11 counterterrorism efforts. He was detained on suspicion of terrorism, but no charges were ever filed against him. The World's Shirin Jaafari spoke with Slahi and brings us his story.

'For 15 years, I didn't see the sun rise or go down'

There were ceremonies and events across the country today to remember the nearly 3,000 people who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, when 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked passenger jets and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA. Host Marco Werman reminds us of what happened on that day.

There were ceremonies and events across the country today to remember the nearly 3,000 people who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, when 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked passenger jets and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA. Host Marco Werman reminds us of what happened on that day.

A look back 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks

Host Marco Werman shares some personal recollections of 9/11 and also profiles two very different victims who died at Ground Zero, men from opposite sides of the globe: Father Mychal Judge, the chaplain at the time to the New York Fire Department, and Jupiter Yambem, the banquet manager at Windows on the World, the restaurant at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Host Marco Werman shares some personal recollections of 9/11 and also profiles two very different victims who died at Ground Zero, men from opposite sides of the globe: Father Mychal Judge, the chaplain at the time to the New York Fire Department, and Jupiter Yambem, the banquet manager at Windows on the World, the restaurant at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

9/11 affected people near and far

Susan Meiselas has worked for the famed photo agency Magnum Photos for 50 years. Her work has documented upheavals and conflicts in South and Central America, among other places. On September 11, 2001, she did not expect that conflict would come to her doorstep in New York City. She talks to Host Marco Werman near Ground Zero, next to a sculpture she captured in one of her most iconic photos from that day.

Susan Meiselas has worked for the famed photo agency Magnum Photos for 50 years. Her work has documented upheavals and conflicts in South and Central America, among other places. On September 11, 2001, she did not expect that conflict would come to her doorstep in New York City. She talks to Host Marco Werman near Ground Zero, next to a sculpture she captured in one of her most iconic photos from that day.

An American documentary photographer recalls her day on 9/11

Nazma Khan was a young Muslim woman in the Bronx, already accustomed to being bullied because she wore a hijab, or the Islamic head covering. But after the 9/11 attacks, she says, the harassment became more frightening and more personal. Her experience was painful, but it also inspired her to start World Hijab Day. Khan tells her story in her own words.

Nazma Khan was a young Muslim woman in the Bronx, already accustomed to being bullied because she wore a hijab, or the Islamic head covering. But after the 9/11 attacks, she says, the harassment became more frightening and more personal. Her experience was painful, but it also inspired her to start World Hijab Day. Khan tells her story in her own words.

After 9/11, she turned Islamophobia into a movement

For some Arab and Muslim musicians in the US and the Middle East, the events of September 11th influenced both their content and style. Many wanted to present their identity and culture in a positive way. Danny Hajjar is a music journalist and fan of the Arabic global rap scene. He recently stopped by our studio in Boston to talk about a few of the artists to emerge in the post-9/11 musical landscape.

For some Arab and Muslim musicians in the US and the Middle East, the events of September 11th influenced both their content and style. Many wanted to present their identity and culture in a positive way. Danny Hajjar is a music journalist and fan of the Arabic global rap scene. He recently stopped by our studio in Boston to talk about a few of the artists to emerge in the post-9/11 musical landscape.

Arabic rappers find their identity after 9/11

The Colombian Paca Digestora Silva — the Silva digester bale — is a processing method for organic waste that has spawned a social movement. The unique composting method was developed in the 1980s by Colombian forester Guillermo Silva, but only took off in the late 2010s and surged during the pandemic. Tasha Sandoval has the story from Bogota about this attempt to keep organic waste out of the local landfill.

The Colombian Paca Digestora Silva — the Silva digester bale — is a processing method for organic waste that has spawned a social movement. The unique composting method was developed in the 1980s by Colombian forester Guillermo Silva, but only took off in the late 2010s and surged during the pandemic. Tasha Sandoval has the story from Bogota about this attempt to keep organic waste out of the local landfill.

Colombian organic waste processing method sparks social movement

The World's Carolyn Beeler investigates what could have been done better to prevent what is likely to amount to several thousands of deaths in Nepal, following the deadly avalanche and flooding that hit in late August. As she reports, Nepalese officials believe their future safety requires an international commitment.

The World's Carolyn Beeler investigates what could have been done better to prevent what is likely to amount to several thousands of deaths in Nepal, following the deadly avalanche and flooding that hit in late August. As she reports, Nepalese officials believe their future safety requires an international commitment.

As Nepal recovers, people ask how they can prepare for the next disaster

Susan Retik joined forces with another woman whose husband was killed on 9/11 to create Beyond the 11th. It's a charity that helps widows in Afghanistan who have been afflicted by war, terrorism and oppression. Host Marco Werman speaks with Susan Retick about her feelings on the attack, about the program she created and the annual bike ride that kicked off today to raise money for her organization.

Susan Retik joined forces with another woman whose husband was killed on 9/11 to create Beyond the 11th. It's a charity that helps widows in Afghanistan who have been afflicted by war, terrorism and oppression. Host Marco Werman speaks with Susan Retick about her feelings on the attack, about the program she created and the annual bike ride that kicked off today to raise money for her organization.

A 9/11 widow has helped Afghan widows for 25 years

They go by a few different names, but Japan's listening lounges are going through something of a revival. They are music bars where simply sitting and listening to records is the main attraction. In fact, some of these establishments have strict rules against conversation and other distractions like cell phone photos. It's all to maximize the listening experience, which often relies on extraordinarily expensive vintage stereo equipment that almost nobody can afford at home. The World's Matthew Bell reported this story from Tokyo last year.This story originally aired on Feb. 25, 2025.

They go by a few different names, but Japan's listening lounges are going through something of a revival. They are music bars where simply sitting and listening to records is the main attraction. In fact, some of these establishments have strict rules against conversation and other distractions like cell phone photos. It's all to maximize the listening experience, which often relies on extraordinarily expensive vintage stereo equipment that almost nobody can afford at home. The World's Matthew Bell reported this story from Tokyo last year.
This story originally aired on Feb. 25, 2025.

Japan's 'listening lounges' offer pure music, with a side of drinks

From it’s impact on students' education to its growing use on the battlefield in choosing targets, artificial Intelligence has multifaceted impacts on human life. But a former employee at the AI company Anthropic has taken to social media to warn that the technology could “kill us all” by 2030. The World’s Host Marco Werman spoke to two experts on AI to get their perspectives. Rumman Chowdhury is an AI ethicist and founder of Humane Intelligence. Daniel Kokotajlo is executive director of the AI Futures Project. He previously worked at OpenAI as a governance researcher specializing in scenario planning.

From it’s impact on students' education to its growing use on the battlefield in choosing targets, artificial Intelligence has multifaceted impacts on human life. But a former employee at the AI company Anthropic has taken to social media to warn that the technology could “kill us all” by 2030. The World’s Host Marco Werman spoke to two experts on AI to get their perspectives. Rumman Chowdhury is an AI ethicist and founder of Humane Intelligence. Daniel Kokotajlo is executive director of the AI Futures Project. He previously worked at OpenAI as a governance researcher specializing in scenario planning.

Ex-Anthropic employee warns AI could 'kill us all' by 2030. Not everyone agrees.

Guest Maria Mitri with the Friends Committee on National Legislation argues that today’s militarized immigration enforcement grew out of the post-9/11 “War on Terror." National security tactics that were developed abroad, she tells Host Carolyn Beeler, have increasingly been brought home.

Guest Maria Mitri with the Friends Committee on National Legislation argues that today’s militarized immigration enforcement grew out of the post-9/11 “War on Terror." National security tactics that were developed abroad, she tells Host Carolyn Beeler, have increasingly been brought home.

Impact of the 'War on Terror' on immigration enforcement at home

The political combination that could move Spain to the far-right would bring together the Populist, anti-immigrant Vox party in a coalition with Spain's center-right Popular Party. The two groups don't always see eye to eye, but they do smell the same thing: power. A poll this week suggests it's within reach, albeit barely, with just over 50% of voters saying they'd back the bloc. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

The political combination that could move Spain to the far-right would bring together the Populist, anti-immigrant Vox party in a coalition with Spain's center-right Popular Party. The two groups don't always see eye to eye, but they do smell the same thing: power. A poll this week suggests it's within reach, albeit barely, with just over 50% of voters saying they'd back the bloc. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

Spain's far-right polls closer to power than ever

This Friday marks the debut of a new album from Morocco. It’s a collaboration between opposite ends of the musical spectrum. On one end, Bnat Louz, or “the Almond Girls,” perform traditional ahwach music from Morocco’s rural south, while Casablanca band Raskas combines digital beats and electric guitar. The album is part of a larger effort to carry Morocco’s vast musical heritage into the future, using an unlikely vehicle: electronic music. From Casablanca, Lauren Schenkman reports.

This Friday marks the debut of a new album from Morocco. It’s a collaboration between opposite ends of the musical spectrum. On one end, Bnat Louz, or “the Almond Girls,” perform traditional ahwach music from Morocco’s rural south, while Casablanca band Raskas combines digital beats and electric guitar. The album is part of a larger effort to carry Morocco’s vast musical heritage into the future, using an unlikely vehicle: electronic music. From Casablanca, Lauren Schenkman reports.

Moroccan village music finds an unlikely legacy: hardcore electronica

A delegation from Jamaica is asking King Charles to seek guidance on whether Britain is obligated to pay reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.

A delegation from Jamaica is asking King Charles to seek guidance on whether Britain is obligated to pay reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.

Jamaican delegation gives King Charles reparations petition

Not every virus or disease responds to medicine. And the number of drug-resistant bugs is growing. It's largely the result of overusing antibiotics in medicine and agriculture, when pharmaceuticals end up in our water and soil. The World Health Organization has called antibiotic resistance one of the most complex and frightening health challenges of our time. Without urgent action, drug resistant infections could kill 10 million people per year by 2050. For Deutsche Welle, DW's, "Living Planet" podcast, Neil King looked at what can be done.

Not every virus or disease responds to medicine. And the number of drug-resistant bugs is growing. It's largely the result of overusing antibiotics in medicine and agriculture, when pharmaceuticals end up in our water and soil. The World Health Organization has called antibiotic resistance one of the most complex and frightening health challenges of our time. Without urgent action, drug resistant infections could kill 10 million people per year by 2050. For Deutsche Welle, DW's, "Living Planet" podcast, Neil King looked at what can be done.

Prescription for a superbug crisis

The US recently sent its last forward-deployed aircraft carrier in the Pacific, the USS George Washington, to the Middle East. With so many eyes right now focusing on events in the Persian Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz, some security analysts are concerned that the US is taking its eye off the ball when it comes to China. The World's Aaron Schachter learned more from Mira Rapp-Hooper, a visiting fellow at The Brookings Institution in Washington.

The US recently sent its last forward-deployed aircraft carrier in the Pacific, the USS George Washington, to the Middle East. With so many eyes right now focusing on events in the Persian Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz, some security analysts are concerned that the US is taking its eye off the ball when it comes to China. The World's Aaron Schachter learned more from Mira Rapp-Hooper, a visiting fellow at The Brookings Institution in Washington.

How prepared is the US military to defend its Pacific allies?

A new collection of music from the remote African islands of Sao Tome and Principe is a revelation. This nation in the Atlantic Ocean doesn't get a lot of attention, but as we hear in songs by bands from the 1960s and '70s, like Sangazuza, it's worth listening up.This story originally aired on Jan. 15, 2026.

A new collection of music from the remote African islands of Sao Tome and Principe is a revelation. This nation in the Atlantic Ocean doesn't get a lot of attention, but as we hear in songs by bands from the 1960s and '70s, like Sangazuza, it's worth listening up.
This story originally aired on Jan. 15, 2026.

A new music collection from some old African artists

In the South Pacific archipelago of Fiji, HIV cases have spiked in the past five years. It is estimated that 1 in 60 adults currently lives with the virus. A drug epidemic and stigma have made the transmission difficult to keep under control. Host Marco Werman talks to Sharon McLennan, a scientist with Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, about this issue.

In the South Pacific archipelago of Fiji, HIV cases have spiked in the past five years. It is estimated that 1 in 60 adults currently lives with the virus. A drug epidemic and stigma have made the transmission difficult to keep under control. Host Marco Werman talks to Sharon McLennan, a scientist with Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, about this issue.

Fiji is in the midst of an HIV crisis

Two paintings by the French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir were stolen from a museum in southern France Tuesday morning. It's the latest in a growing trend of "smash and grab"-style museum heists across Europe, says Arthur Brand, an independent art detective who has helped authorities recover artwork after similar thefts. He spoke to Host Marco Werman from Amsterdam.

Two paintings by the French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir were stolen from a museum in southern France Tuesday morning. It's the latest in a growing trend of "smash and grab"-style museum heists across Europe, says Arthur Brand, an independent art detective who has helped authorities recover artwork after similar thefts. He spoke to Host Marco Werman from Amsterdam.

Renoir museum heist in France is latest in wave of art thefts across Europe

Israel does not allow absentee voting, forcing the 500,000 Israeli ex-pats eligible to vote to choose between an expensive trip home or sitting out the country’s most consequential election in years. To help Israelis return, the AID Coalition, a US-based nonprofit organization, launched an initiative called Fly&amp;Vote. From Tel Aviv, Stephanie Freid reports.

Israel does not allow absentee voting, forcing the 500,000 Israeli ex-pats eligible to vote to choose between an expensive trip home or sitting out the country’s most consequential election in years. To help Israelis return, the AID Coalition, a US-based nonprofit organization, launched an initiative called Fly&Vote. From Tel Aviv, Stephanie Freid reports.

Israeli 'Fly&Vote' movement gaining steam

Flooding is common in Nepal. But the avalanche that triggered water and debris to surge down the Trishuli River was of an entirely different magnitude. The World's Carolyn Beeler explains what caused the disaster, and what role scientists say climate change may have played.

Flooding is common in Nepal. But the avalanche that triggered water and debris to surge down the Trishuli River was of an entirely different magnitude. The World's Carolyn Beeler explains what caused the disaster, and what role scientists say climate change may have played.

The causes that triggered the Nepal-Tibet flooding disaster

The United Nations voted on Friday in favor of adopting a resolution to replace the Mercator projection, which distorts the size of the world's landmasses, with one that represents the continents more accurately. The resolution passed almost unanimously, with only a single country voting no: the United States. Marco Werman has more details.

The United Nations voted on Friday in favor of adopting a resolution to replace the Mercator projection, which distorts the size of the world's landmasses, with one that represents the continents more accurately. The resolution passed almost unanimously, with only a single country voting no: the United States. Marco Werman has more details.

United Nations votes for new world map

Around 1.5 million Chinese tourists visited France last year. Beyond Versailles or the Eiffel Tower, there's another destination that’s high on many Chinese visitors' lists: Montargis, a working-class town about a 90-minute drive from Paris. That's because a Chinese work-study program in the early 20th century left a lasting mark on China’s history. From Deutsche Welle, DW, Lisa Bryant reports from Montargis.

Around 1.5 million Chinese tourists visited France last year. Beyond Versailles or the Eiffel Tower, there's another destination that’s high on many Chinese visitors' lists: Montargis, a working-class town about a 90-minute drive from Paris. That's because a Chinese work-study program in the early 20th century left a lasting mark on China’s history. From Deutsche Welle, DW, Lisa Bryant reports from Montargis.

Chinese students visit a village in France to learn about Chinese history

Berlin-based Syrian singer Siba Alkhiami, or simply "Siba," wrote "Dounana" — or "Without Us" — two years ago out of anger of the destruction of Gaza and the bombing of Palestinians. A year ago, she released it as a song and it's slowly gone viral. We listen to "Dounana" and hear from Siba that it's relevance has gone beyond Gaza. It's a song about colonialism and how it impacts Indigenous people.

Berlin-based Syrian singer Siba Alkhiami, or simply "Siba," wrote "Dounana" — or "Without Us" — two years ago out of anger of the destruction of Gaza and the bombing of Palestinians. A year ago, she released it as a song and it's slowly gone viral. We listen to "Dounana" and hear from Siba that it's relevance has gone beyond Gaza. It's a song about colonialism and how it impacts Indigenous people.

Berlin-based Syrian singer makes her mark on 'Without Us'

Some 800 students and ‌teachers in Central Java got food poisoning last week, just after lunch time at a local high school. Officials were forced to end the day early as bathrooms were overwhelmed with people in the throes of intestinal distress. As Host Marco Werman explains, this was yet another embarrassing moment for Indonesia's government and its ill-fated free lunch program.

Some 800 students and ‌teachers in Central Java got food poisoning last week, just after lunch time at a local high school. Officials were forced to end the day early as bathrooms were overwhelmed with people in the throes of intestinal distress. As Host Marco Werman explains, this was yet another embarrassing moment for Indonesia's government and its ill-fated free lunch program.

Indonesia's free student meal program still making students and teachers sick

The hopes and dreams of thousands of Japanese who were incarcerated in camps during World War II were crushed. Many were never able to reconcile what their lives could have been and what they did become. Paul Watanabe, a professor at University of Massachusetts, Boston found out what his mother lost when she was on her deathbed. He shared it with GBH's Stories From The Stage.

The hopes and dreams of thousands of Japanese who were incarcerated in camps during World War II were crushed. Many were never able to reconcile what their lives could have been and what they did become. Paul Watanabe, a professor at University of Massachusetts, Boston found out what his mother lost when she was on her deathbed. He shared it with GBH's Stories From The Stage.

A Japanese mother's stolen dream is revealed

As the United States honors its workers this Labor Day, it's been 250 years since the nation was founded. A defining ideal in the Declaration of Independence is “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” but when it was written, they were meant to not only be American pursuits. The Declaration explicitly addresses the larger world. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with historian Nathan Perl-Rosenthal, author of the 2024 book “The Age of Revolutions: And the Generations Who Made It."This story originally aired on June 4, 2026.

As the United States honors its workers this Labor Day, it's been 250 years since the nation was founded. A defining ideal in the Declaration of Independence is “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” but when it was written, they were meant to not only be American pursuits. The Declaration explicitly addresses the larger world. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with historian Nathan Perl-Rosenthal, author of the 2024 book “The Age of Revolutions: And the Generations Who Made It."
This story originally aired on June 4, 2026.

How the American Revolution kicked off a global 'Age of Revolutions'

As the United States commemorates its 250th birthday this year, we celebrate by listening to two songs that arrived from overseas and became a part of the country's early history. Host Marco Werman explains.

As the United States commemorates its 250th birthday this year, we celebrate by listening to two songs that arrived from overseas and became a part of the country's early history. Host Marco Werman explains.