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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

US ice hockey teams are about to get a lot more Canadian

Experts say extremist groups are using artificial intelligence to produce propaganda and appeal to new audiences. Far-right groups as well as ISIS and others are relying on AI tools more and more. The World’s Shirin Jaafari explains.

Experts say extremist groups are using artificial intelligence to produce propaganda and appeal to new audiences. Far-right groups as well as ISIS and others are relying on AI tools more and more. The World’s Shirin Jaafari explains.

How AI is contributing to the spread of extremism

Flight attendants for Canada's largest airline are planning to walk off the job at midnight Saturday. The move could ground all Air Canada flights for more than a week, leaving 130,000 travelers a day stranded, or scrambling for alternate routes. Wages are at the center of the dispute. But as The World's Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel reports, one of the key sticking points is whether — and how much — flight attendants should be paid when planes aren't moving.

Flight attendants for Canada's largest airline are planning to walk off the job at midnight Saturday. The move could ground all Air Canada flights for more than a week, leaving 130,000 travelers a day stranded, or scrambling for alternate routes. Wages are at the center of the dispute. But as The World's Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel reports, one of the key sticking points is whether — and how much — flight attendants should be paid when planes aren't moving.

Air Canada flight attendants prepare to go on strike

In Peru, an amnesty bill has been signed into law, protecting members of the military and law enforcement from being held accountable for alleged human rights abuses during the 1980s and 1990s. That's when civil war brought torture, forced disappearances and the killing of civilians to the country. Host Marco Werman has more.

In Peru, an amnesty bill has been signed into law, protecting members of the military and law enforcement from being held accountable for alleged human rights abuses during the 1980s and 1990s. That's when civil war brought torture, forced disappearances and the killing of civilians to the country. Host Marco Werman has more.

Peruvian president signs amnesty bill into law

A recent World Health Organization report finds that nearly a quarter of people across Africa are feeling lonely. That's the highest among the global regions covered in the findings. The World's Host Marco Werman learned more from Lateefat Odunuga, a clinical psychologist and advisor to the African Network of Youth Policy Experts.

A recent World Health Organization report finds that nearly a quarter of people across Africa are feeling lonely. That's the highest among the global regions covered in the findings. The World's Host Marco Werman learned more from Lateefat Odunuga, a clinical psychologist and advisor to the African Network of Youth Policy Experts.

WHO report finds Africans are lonelier than people on any other continent

The Spanish town of Jumilla has said that only sports are allowed at its municipal gyms, and no religious celebrations. For Muslims in Jumilla, that means there's nowhere to hold large events. Spain's far-right applauds the move but some locals see it as religious provocation in a place where people usually get along. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

The Spanish town of Jumilla has said that only sports are allowed at its municipal gyms, and no religious celebrations. For Muslims in Jumilla, that means there's nowhere to hold large events. Spain's far-right applauds the move but some locals see it as religious provocation in a place where people usually get along. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

Religious tensions flare in Spanish town

A deadly heat wave is scorching southern Europe with record-breaking temperatures this month. In Italy, a 4-year-old boy died from heatstroke on Monday, while 16 Italian cities, including Rome and Milan, are now on a red heat alert. Environmentalists say lawmakers there are doing far too little to respond. In Milan, some residents are taking matters into their own hands. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports from the Italian city.

A deadly heat wave is scorching southern Europe with record-breaking temperatures this month. In Italy, a 4-year-old boy died from heatstroke on Monday, while 16 Italian cities, including Rome and Milan, are now on a red heat alert. Environmentalists say lawmakers there are doing far too little to respond. In Milan, some residents are taking matters into their own hands. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports from the Italian city.

Beating the heat: Milan locals find solutions to scorching heat waves

US President Donald Trump joined a summit online today, hosted by Germany's chancellor. Other European leaders took part and so did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump said the call went well and was "very friendly." Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face on Friday in Alaska. The US president also said today that Russia will face "severe consequences" if Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine at this week's meeting.

US President Donald Trump joined a summit online today, hosted by Germany's chancellor. Other European leaders took part and so did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump said the call went well and was "very friendly." Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face on Friday in Alaska. The US president also said today that Russia will face "severe consequences" if Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine at this week's meeting.

Trump says Russia will face 'severe consequences' if Putin rejects Ukraine ceasefire

A 2024 study by the University of Manchester found that more than two-thirds of women surveyed experienced harassment while running, including threats, verbal abuse and having objects thrown at them. Now, the Surrey Police Department is trying an unconventional plan to tackle the issue. The World's Host Marco Werman has the details.

A 2024 study by the University of Manchester found that more than two-thirds of women surveyed experienced harassment while running, including threats, verbal abuse and having objects thrown at them. Now, the Surrey Police Department is trying an unconventional plan to tackle the issue. The World's Host Marco Werman has the details.

Police officers in England go jogging undercover to tackle catcalling

North Korea has a secret army of workers applying for remote IT jobs around the world. They collect paychecks, sometimes steal company data and answer to a boss who isn’t at company headquarters — he’s sitting in Pyongyang. What happens when one of these workers makes it past the front door of a US company? Dina Temple-Raston, the host of the “Click Here” podcast from Recorded Future News and PRX, has the story.

North Korea has a secret army of workers applying for remote IT jobs around the world. They collect paychecks, sometimes steal company data and answer to a boss who isn’t at company headquarters — he’s sitting in Pyongyang. What happens when one of these workers makes it past the front door of a US company? Dina Temple-Raston, the host of the “Click Here” podcast from Recorded Future News and PRX, has the story.

North Korea's IT workers infiltrate global companies

US officials have unsealed an indictment against Haitian gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier and three Haiti-born naturalized US citizens for conspiring to violate US sanctions. The Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles tells The World’s Host Marco Werman that Haitians at home and abroad are skeptical the move will undercut the power of the criminal gangs.

US officials have unsealed an indictment against Haitian gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier and three Haiti-born naturalized US citizens for conspiring to violate US sanctions. The Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles tells The World’s Host Marco Werman that Haitians at home and abroad are skeptical the move will undercut the power of the criminal gangs.

US indictment of Haitian gang leader 'sort of smoke and mirrors'

From Chile’s National Center for Artificial Intelligence to universities across the continent, researchers are training Latam-GPT, an artificial intelligence model built with the languages, cultures and histories of Latin America in mind. Advocates say it’s about reclaiming digital sovereignty. Critics warn it could still mirror the same biases and inequalities as foreign models. The World's Tibisay Zea looks at the hopes, risks, and grassroots efforts to make AI work for the region.

From Chile’s National Center for Artificial Intelligence to universities across the continent, researchers are training Latam-GPT, an artificial intelligence model built with the languages, cultures and histories of Latin America in mind. Advocates say it’s about reclaiming digital sovereignty. Critics warn it could still mirror the same biases and inequalities as foreign models. The World's Tibisay Zea looks at the hopes, risks, and grassroots efforts to make AI work for the region.

An AI that speaks the language of Latin America

Host Marco Werman introduces us to a duo from Estonia known as Puuluup, embracing a musical folk tradition in their country that elevates the sound of a lyre called the talharpa. Puuluup sits in an awkward space in which tradition is not always comfortable in the present day, and they make that work for them.

Host Marco Werman introduces us to a duo from Estonia known as Puuluup, embracing a musical folk tradition in their country that elevates the sound of a lyre called the talharpa. Puuluup sits in an awkward space in which tradition is not always comfortable in the present day, and they make that work for them.

Estonian group Puuluup highlights the lyre

Far-right parties are surging in popularity in Europe and environmentalists say their influence could put the EU’s climate agenda in jeopardy. Italy’s populist prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has become one of the most outspoken critics of the EU’s green policies. Activists warn her growing influence could ripple across the continent. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports from Milan.

Far-right parties are surging in popularity in Europe and environmentalists say their influence could put the EU’s climate agenda in jeopardy. Italy’s populist prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has become one of the most outspoken critics of the EU’s green policies. Activists warn her growing influence could ripple across the continent. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports from Milan.

Gains for far-right European parties threaten EU climate goals

Amid the hunger and devastation in Gaza, donkeys and horses are vital for survival. Cars are few and fuel is scarce. So, people use animals for transportation. But after months of almost no aid entering, and with much of the infrastructure destroyed, the animals are suffering, too. Outside organizations are trying to help. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

Amid the hunger and devastation in Gaza, donkeys and horses are vital for survival. Cars are few and fuel is scarce. So, people use animals for transportation. But after months of almost no aid entering, and with much of the infrastructure destroyed, the animals are suffering, too. Outside organizations are trying to help. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

In Gaza, donkeys are crucial for survival. But they are suffering, too.

Public toilets: at best, they’re functional, at worst, dirty, dark and even unsafe. But in Shibuya, a busy ward in Tokyo, Japan, officials want public toilets to inspire wonder. Last year, they started a tour of 17 bathroom facilities designed by world-class artists and architects. One is housed inside a glowing cube, another resembles a fairy-like woodland dwelling and yet another toilet, operated by voice, will clean your backside on command. The World's Patrick Winn filed this report last summer.This story originally aired on June 21, 2024.

Public toilets: at best, they’re functional, at worst, dirty, dark and even unsafe. But in Shibuya, a busy ward in Tokyo, Japan, officials want public toilets to inspire wonder. Last year, they started a tour of 17 bathroom facilities designed by world-class artists and architects. One is housed inside a glowing cube, another resembles a fairy-like woodland dwelling and yet another toilet, operated by voice, will clean your backside on command. The World's Patrick Winn filed this report last summer.
This story originally aired on June 21, 2024.

In Tokyo, some public toilets inspire wonder

Russian troops are advancing deeper into eastern Ukraine, just days ahead of a summit in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders are set to discuss Ukraine’s fate. But Kyiv resident Maia Mikaluk tells The World’s Host Marco Werman that her country’s future shouldn’t be decided without Ukrainians at the table.

Russian troops are advancing deeper into eastern Ukraine, just days ahead of a summit in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders are set to discuss Ukraine’s fate. But Kyiv resident Maia Mikaluk tells The World’s Host Marco Werman that her country’s future shouldn’t be decided without Ukrainians at the table.