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.

Pastor Khader Khalilia has spent the last decade educating his congregation at Redeemer-St John’s Lutheran Church in Dyker Heights, New York. For starters, many of his congregants initially assumed that all Palestinians were Muslims. Khalilia speaks with The World’s Marco Werman about challenges he’s encountered as one of the few Palestinian faith leaders in the US to lead a Christian church.

Pastor Khader Khalilia has spent the last decade educating his congregation at Redeemer-St John’s Lutheran Church in Dyker Heights, New York. For starters, many of his congregants initially assumed that all Palestinians were Muslims. Khalilia speaks with The World’s Marco Werman about challenges he’s encountered as one of the few Palestinian faith leaders in the US to lead a Christian church.

Palestinian-American pastor enlightens congregation

In Uganda, motorcycles are one of the most-popular forms of public transport. In the capital city, Kampala, there are hundreds of thousands of them. Until recently, all of them were driven by men.  But that’s starting to change, with a new initiative to get women into the business. Anita Elash has the story from Kampala.

In Uganda, motorcycles are one of the most-popular forms of public transport. In the capital city, Kampala, there are hundreds of thousands of them. Until recently, all of them were driven by men.  But that’s starting to change, with a new initiative to get women into the business. Anita Elash has the story from Kampala.

Motorcycle taxis increasingly driven by women in Uganda

According to a report this week by the National Association of Realtors, foreign buyers are purchasing fewer US homes right now. High interest rates and a strong US dollar are seen as the biggest factors in the drop in sales — the lowest since 2009. Host Marco Werman speaks with real estate professor Benjamin Keys, of the University of Pennsylvania, to understand what’s keeping foreign buyers from the US housing market.

According to a report this week by the National Association of Realtors, foreign buyers are purchasing fewer US homes right now. High interest rates and a strong US dollar are seen as the biggest factors in the drop in sales — the lowest since 2009. Host Marco Werman speaks with real estate professor Benjamin Keys, of the University of Pennsylvania, to understand what’s keeping foreign buyers from the US housing market.

US home sales to foreign buyers drops

Former military staffer Kevin Dutremble wanted to work with refugees to learn more about US foreign policy. But the lessons he learned went much deeper than that. He shares his experience with Stories From The Stage, a storytelling project from GBH.

Former military staffer Kevin Dutremble wanted to work with refugees to learn more about US foreign policy. But the lessons he learned went much deeper than that. He shares his experience with Stories From The Stage, a storytelling project from GBH.

One man's world expands as he helps refugees settle in the US

The closing of the Acropolis in Greece is just one sign of a heat wave that's suffocating southern Europe this week. Meteorologists say temperatures are expected to keep hitting well into the triple digits through Sunday. Host Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have more.

The closing of the Acropolis in Greece is just one sign of a heat wave that's suffocating southern Europe this week. Meteorologists say temperatures are expected to keep hitting well into the triple digits through Sunday. Host Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have more.

Heat clobbers southern Europe

Thousands of students armed with sticks and rocks have been clashing with armed police in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, and across the country. The protests began with a demand to update a quota system for government jobs. Now, it has expanded to a demand for a stop to government repression. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Samina Luthfa, associate professor of sociology at the University of Dhaka about the protests and the lethal response by authorities.

Thousands of students armed with sticks and rocks have been clashing with armed police in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, and across the country. The protests began with a demand to update a quota system for government jobs. Now, it has expanded to a demand for a stop to government repression. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Samina Luthfa, associate professor of sociology at the University of Dhaka about the protests and the lethal response by authorities.

Bangladesh quota protests

Several countries in Africa have moved toward protecting LGBTQ rights in recent years. But in about half of African nations, homosexuality is illegal. These legal codes make it difficult for many in LGBTQ communities to get the health services they need. Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman looks into the problem of LGBTQ access to health care in Malawi.

Several countries in Africa have moved toward protecting LGBTQ rights in recent years. But in about half of African nations, homosexuality is illegal. These legal codes make it difficult for many in LGBTQ communities to get the health services they need. Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman looks into the problem of LGBTQ access to health care in Malawi.

Discrimination against LGBTQ communities in Malawi limits access to health care

A report from Human Rights Watch details how El Salvador's war on gangs and waves of arrests have also targeted children, who are often detained and sentenced without due process. The abuse they face in prison can be harrowing. Host Marco Werman speaks with André Rangal, a communications director for Human Rights Watch, about the findings.

A report from Human Rights Watch details how El Salvador's war on gangs and waves of arrests have also targeted children, who are often detained and sentenced without due process. The abuse they face in prison can be harrowing. Host Marco Werman speaks with André Rangal, a communications director for Human Rights Watch, about the findings.

El Salvador is arresting and imprisoning children

In the northeast city of Girona, Spain, the ever-growing resentment toward overtourism has boiled over into acts of aggression against an unlikely demographic: people on bicycles. Girona has a been a hub for serious cyclists for decades. A new group has formed to keep out cyclists, and vandals are attacking local bike shops. The World's Gerry Hadden pays a visit to Girona to find out why.

In the northeast city of Girona, Spain, the ever-growing resentment toward overtourism has boiled over into acts of aggression against an unlikely demographic: people on bicycles. Girona has a been a hub for serious cyclists for decades. A new group has formed to keep out cyclists, and vandals are attacking local bike shops. The World's Gerry Hadden pays a visit to Girona to find out why.

Bicycle backlash in Girona, Spain

On Oct. 7, 39 workers from Thailand were murdered by Hamas in Israel. Another 31 were taken hostage into Gaza. So it's probably no surprise that around a third of the 30,000 strong community — which has been taking up agricultural jobs on Israel’s farms for decades — left the country in the aftermath of the attacks. Now, they’re coming back, in large part motivated by the financial incentives. Rebecca Rosman reports from Israel.

On Oct. 7, 39 workers from Thailand were murdered by Hamas in Israel. Another 31 were taken hostage into Gaza. So it's probably no surprise that around a third of the 30,000 strong community — which has been taking up agricultural jobs on Israel’s farms for decades — left the country in the aftermath of the attacks. Now, they’re coming back, in large part motivated by the financial incentives. Rebecca Rosman reports from Israel.

Thai workers return to farms in Israel

Robert Menendez , a New Jersey senator, and former head of the Senate foreign relations committee, has been convicted of bribery, fraud and extortion. The jury in the Manhattan court found Menendez guilty of acting on behalf of Egyptian intelligence and steering financial aid and weapons to the country. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports.

Robert Menendez , a New Jersey senator, and former head of the Senate foreign relations committee, has been convicted of bribery, fraud and extortion. The jury in the Manhattan court found Menendez guilty of acting on behalf of Egyptian intelligence and steering financial aid and weapons to the country. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports.

Bob Menendez convicted of corruption

Poppy seeds are a flavorful ingredient in Trader Joe's "Everything But the Bagel" seasoning blend, and in South Korea, they are classified as a narcotic — which has led to a ban on importation of the product. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler tell how poppy seeds, beloved in cakes, muffins and on bagels, are now increasingly under scrutiny by authorities around the globe.

Poppy seeds are a flavorful ingredient in Trader Joe's "Everything But the Bagel" seasoning blend, and in South Korea, they are classified as a narcotic — which has led to a ban on importation of the product. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler tell how poppy seeds, beloved in cakes, muffins and on bagels, are now increasingly under scrutiny by authorities around the globe.

Poppy seed seasoning banned by South Korea

It's summer and the US and other countries are seeing a rise in rates of COVID-19. Could certain aspects of summer life be contributing: like huddling indoors with air conditioning? Or is it new variants? Host Carolyn Beeler explores these questions with Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health.

It's summer and the US and other countries are seeing a rise in rates of COVID-19. Could certain aspects of summer life be contributing: like huddling indoors with air conditioning? Or is it new variants? Host Carolyn Beeler explores these questions with Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health.

Summer spike in COVID-19

Latinos make up a little more than 10% of North Carolina's population. But they're expected to play a key role in this November's election. The Biden campaign is using Spanish-language media to target Latino voters. Meanwhile, a conservative nonprofit called the LIBRE Initiative is playing a long game. It's not necessarily trying to get Latinos to vote for Donald Trump, but to embrace conservative ideas. WFAE's Steve Harrison reports from Chapel Hill.

Latinos make up a little more than 10% of North Carolina's population. But they're expected to play a key role in this November's election. The Biden campaign is using Spanish-language media to target Latino voters. Meanwhile, a conservative nonprofit called the LIBRE Initiative is playing a long game. It's not necessarily trying to get Latinos to vote for Donald Trump, but to embrace conservative ideas. WFAE's Steve Harrison reports from Chapel Hill.

North Carolina conservative group woos Latinos

California is in the middle of an ambitious plan to offer transitional kindergarten (TK) to all 4-year-olds by the 2025–26 school year. It's poised to be the largest free preschool program in the country. A lot of the kids heading to TK are dual-language learners. KQED's Daisy Nguyen reports on the challenges California faces as it tries to add a new grade to its sprawling public school system.

California is in the middle of an ambitious plan to offer transitional kindergarten (TK) to all 4-year-olds by the 2025–26 school year. It's poised to be the largest free preschool program in the country. A lot of the kids heading to TK are dual-language learners. KQED's Daisy Nguyen reports on the challenges California faces as it tries to add a new grade to its sprawling public school system.

The challenges of the nation's largest transitional kindergarten

The legendary singing couple from Mali, Amadou and Mariam, are back with a new single titled "Mogolu," which means "the people" in their language Bambara. It's an embrace of the connections that can be made simply by traveling and making human connections. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more on their story.

The legendary singing couple from Mali, Amadou and Mariam, are back with a new single titled "Mogolu," which means "the people" in their language Bambara. It's an embrace of the connections that can be made simply by traveling and making human connections. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more on their story.

Amadou and Mariam bring people together again

Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was arrested as he was about to board a one-way flight back to Syria. Sheikh had been living in Los Angeles since 2020 and is accused of killing and torturing Syrian political dissidents. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Mouaz Mustafa of the Syrian Emergency Taskforce about the role his organization played in the case against Sheikh.

Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was arrested as he was about to board a one-way flight back to Syria. Sheikh had been living in Los Angeles since 2020 and is accused of killing and torturing Syrian political dissidents. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Mouaz Mustafa of the Syrian Emergency Taskforce about the role his organization played in the case against Sheikh.

Former Syrian regime official arrested in Los Angeles

Friends and enemies alike spy on each other across the globe. But in the tense relationship between the US and China, spycraft takes on a more complicated and dangerous dimension. The World's Marco Werman talks espionage with journalist Jane Perlez, host of the podcast “Face Off: The US versus China.”

Friends and enemies alike spy on each other across the globe. But in the tense relationship between the US and China, spycraft takes on a more complicated and dangerous dimension. The World's Marco Werman talks espionage with journalist Jane Perlez, host of the podcast “Face Off: The US versus China.”

China's espionage program

Venezuela’s authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro is under major pressure. The country will hold elections on July 28, and he’s performing badly in the polls. Under his 11-year rule, Venezuela’s economy collapsed, oppression increased, and about 20% of the country’s population left. A diaspora of millions of people could have been crucial for the electoral outcome. But as The World’s Tibisay Zea reports, most Venezuelans living abroad were not allowed to register to vote.

Venezuela’s authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro is under major pressure. The country will hold elections on July 28, and he’s performing badly in the polls. Under his 11-year rule, Venezuela’s economy collapsed, oppression increased, and about 20% of the country’s population left. A diaspora of millions of people could have been crucial for the electoral outcome. But as The World’s Tibisay Zea reports, most Venezuelans living abroad were not allowed to register to vote.

Millions of Venezuelans living abroad won't be able to vote in the upcoming presidential election

A court in Moscow handed Russian-American journalist Masha Gessen an eight-year prison term in absentia for criticizing the Russian military. The case stems from a YouTube interview Gessen conducted in 2022 with anti-war Russian blogger Yuri Dud. Gessen, who lives in the US and is a columnist for The New York Times, is unlikely to be imprisoned unless they travel to a country with an extradition treaty with Russia.

A court in Moscow handed Russian-American journalist Masha Gessen an eight-year prison term in absentia for criticizing the Russian military. The case stems from a YouTube interview Gessen conducted in 2022 with anti-war Russian blogger Yuri Dud. Gessen, who lives in the US and is a columnist for The New York Times, is unlikely to be imprisoned unless they travel to a country with an extradition treaty with Russia.

Russian-American journalist sentenced to 8 years in prison on 'fake' news charges

Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler offer a global roundup of news about animals that listeners might have missed.

Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler offer a global roundup of news about animals that listeners might have missed.

Animals in the news

Ri Il-kyu served as a North Korean diplomat in Cuba, up until he decided to defect to South Korea late last year. The details of his account appeared in South Korean newspapers on Tuesday. Ri's defection is the latest in a string of officials fleeing from North Korea over the last several years, and it will be embarrassing for dictator Kim Jong-un. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

Ri Il-kyu served as a North Korean diplomat in Cuba, up until he decided to defect to South Korea late last year. The details of his account appeared in South Korean newspapers on Tuesday. Ri's defection is the latest in a string of officials fleeing from North Korea over the last several years, and it will be embarrassing for dictator Kim Jong-un. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

Disillusioned with North Korea, another diplomat defects

A few weeks ago, a scandal erupted in India following the results of a medical school entrance test. An abnormally high number of students received perfect scores on the fiercely competitive exam. It turns out that exam questions had been improperly shared before the test. As Sushmita Pathak reports from Delhi, the scandal is shining a light on India's toxic exam culture.

A few weeks ago, a scandal erupted in India following the results of a medical school entrance test. An abnormally high number of students received perfect scores on the fiercely competitive exam. It turns out that exam questions had been improperly shared before the test. As Sushmita Pathak reports from Delhi, the scandal is shining a light on India's toxic exam culture.

India's toxic exam culture re-examined after cheating scandal

The new study says ice melt from the Earth's poles is slowing the planet's rotation. By the end of the century, days will be longer by a few milliseconds, but this is enough to disrupt the internet, GPS systems and more. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Benedikt Soja, a leading author of the study.

The new study says ice melt from the Earth's poles is slowing the planet's rotation. By the end of the century, days will be longer by a few milliseconds, but this is enough to disrupt the internet, GPS systems and more. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Benedikt Soja, a leading author of the study.

New study says climate change will make the days longer

Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer is promising to "smash the gangs" that traffic undocumented migrants across the English channel from France. He has also ditched the controversial Rwanda policy, which threatened to send migrants to the east African country to have their asylum claims processed there. Starmer says a new border security command unit will reduce the numbers crossing the channel to seek asylum in the UK. As The World's Europe correspondent Orla Barry reports, refugee rights campaigners say that's unlikely to work.

Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer is promising to "smash the gangs" that traffic undocumented migrants across the English channel from France. He has also ditched the controversial Rwanda policy, which threatened to send migrants to the east African country to have their asylum claims processed there. Starmer says a new border security command unit will reduce the numbers crossing the channel to seek asylum in the UK. As The World's Europe correspondent Orla Barry reports, refugee rights campaigners say that's unlikely to work.

First, it was 'stop the boats,' now it's 'smash the gangs'

The photography project, "Rwanda Reseen, 100 Days," exhibits snapshots and portraits of daily life and people in Rwanda. The images were printed on waterproof material and hung around the country. The two photographers behind the project, Jacques Nkinzingabo and Bill Bamberger, talk about the exhibit, how they created it, and what the photos mean to them and their subjects.

The photography project, "Rwanda Reseen, 100 Days," exhibits snapshots and portraits of daily life and people in Rwanda. The images were printed on waterproof material and hung around the country. The two photographers behind the project, Jacques Nkinzingabo and Bill Bamberger, talk about the exhibit, how they created it, and what the photos mean to them and their subjects.

Photography exhibit in Rwanda documents the country decades after genocide

The men's 1,500-meter race at the Paris Olympics is bound to entertain, with medal contenders from Kenya and the US. The reigning Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen  and reigning World Champion Josh Kerr are getting a lot of attention, too. A fierce rivalry has formed between them in the past year. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

The men's 1,500-meter race at the Paris Olympics is bound to entertain, with medal contenders from Kenya and the US. The reigning Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen  and reigning World Champion Josh Kerr are getting a lot of attention, too. A fierce rivalry has formed between them in the past year. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

Josh Kerr versus Jakob Ingebrigtsen: Who will win the men's 1,500-meter race in Paris?

The weekend's scene of a former American president, and current presidential candidate, being grazed by a bullet in broad daylight grabbed headlines around the globe. As the World’s Matthew Bell reports, the reactions from international leaders came quickly.

The weekend's scene of a former American president, and current presidential candidate, being grazed by a bullet in broad daylight grabbed headlines around the globe. As the World’s Matthew Bell reports, the reactions from international leaders came quickly.

Global reaction to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump

Two days after winning Wimbledon, Czech tennis champion Barbora Krejcikova is back in the top-10 ranking of tennis players. Winning the women's singles title on Saturday catapulted her 22 places up the list, as host Carolyn Beeler explains.

Two days after winning Wimbledon, Czech tennis champion Barbora Krejcikova is back in the top-10 ranking of tennis players. Winning the women's singles title on Saturday catapulted her 22 places up the list, as host Carolyn Beeler explains.

Big jump in women's tennis rankings

Political violence and increasing polarization in the United States have led much of the world to question what the country represents. Steven Levitsky, author of "Tyranny of the Minority," tells host Carolyn Beeler that violence frequently occurs in democracies. What matters most is whether political leaders rally in response, to ensure that democratic principles endure.

Political violence and increasing polarization in the United States have led much of the world to question what the country represents. Steven Levitsky, author of "Tyranny of the Minority," tells host Carolyn Beeler that violence frequently occurs in democracies. What matters most is whether political leaders rally in response, to ensure that democratic principles endure.