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.

How long is the English coast? Or, for that matter, the coast of Portugal, Brazil or Kenya? Turns out, experts are not in agreement, thanks to a phenomenon of measurement called the coastal paradox. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with independent geographer Katherine Sammler about what these disagreements mean for geopolitical relationships.

How long is the English coast? Or, for that matter, the coast of Portugal, Brazil or Kenya? Turns out, experts are not in agreement, thanks to a phenomenon of measurement called the coastal paradox. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with independent geographer Katherine Sammler about what these disagreements mean for geopolitical relationships.

The coastline paradox

Copenhagen once had a Human Library, where you could go on a weekend and borrow a person — for a conversation. The nonprofit's mission to "unjudge" people has caught on globally in over 85 countries. The library in Copenhagen is now only online, but The World's Joshua Coe went in October last year, just before the physical library shut down.This story originally aired on Oct. 24, 2025.

Copenhagen once had a Human Library, where you could go on a weekend and borrow a person — for a conversation. The nonprofit's mission to "unjudge" people has caught on globally in over 85 countries. The library in Copenhagen is now only online, but The World's Joshua Coe went in October last year, just before the physical library shut down.
This story originally aired on Oct. 24, 2025.

People are 'open books' at The Human Library

On Sunday, a robot called Lightning, made by Honor, a Chinese smartphone maker, won a half marathon in Beijing in just 50 min, 26 sec. That's several minutes faster than the human world record-holder, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who finished the same distance in 57 min, 20 sec, earlier this year in Lisbon. Several other robots in the race outran humans for the first time. Host Marco Werman has the details.

On Sunday, a robot called Lightning, made by Honor, a Chinese smartphone maker, won a half marathon in Beijing in just 50 min, 26 sec. That's several minutes faster than the human world record-holder, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who finished the same distance in 57 min, 20 sec, earlier this year in Lisbon. Several other robots in the race outran humans for the first time. Host Marco Werman has the details.

Humanoid robots win half marathon in Beijing

Hidden for centuries, music by women composers of the Renaissance has largely remained outside the public canon. Musica Secreta is a British ensemble dedicated to researching and performing this repertoire, combining historical scholarship with an all-female sound world. Deutsche Welle, DW, arts journalist Breandáin O'Shea guides us through the pure loveliness.

Hidden for centuries, music by women composers of the Renaissance has largely remained outside the public canon. Musica Secreta is a British ensemble dedicated to researching and performing this repertoire, combining historical scholarship with an all-female sound world. Deutsche Welle, DW, arts journalist Breandáin O'Shea guides us through the pure loveliness.

Women composers of the Renaissance emerge

Hatshepsut is likely a name many people have never heard. Even though she was pharaoh of Egypt for 22 years and one of the most powerful women in antiquity. That's because two decades after her reign she was purposely, and methodically, erased from history. Reporter Sarah Birnbaum has the story.

Hatshepsut is likely a name many people have never heard. Even though she was pharaoh of Egypt for 22 years and one of the most powerful women in antiquity. That's because two decades after her reign she was purposely, and methodically, erased from history. Reporter Sarah Birnbaum has the story.

The unmaking of a hugely successful female pharaoh

When a music festival becomes a history lesson: New York City stalwart rockers The Strokes made headlines with their second set of the final weekend at Coachella. They ended with a song they rarely play, "Oblivius," and its chorus "What side you standing on?" as a video montage of US and CIA involvement in overseas assassinations and regime change efforts played on screens behind them with captions. Reaction has been mixed, says Host Marco Werman.

When a music festival becomes a history lesson: New York City stalwart rockers The Strokes made headlines with their second set of the final weekend at Coachella. They ended with a song they rarely play, "Oblivius," and its chorus "What side you standing on?" as a video montage of US and CIA involvement in overseas assassinations and regime change efforts played on screens behind them with captions. Reaction has been mixed, says Host Marco Werman.

The Strokes band at Coachella emphasizes US and CIA overseas assassinations

Six months after a ceasefire was announced in Gaza, conditions remain dire. And serious reconstruction has yet to begin. The cost of rebuilding the enclave’s infrastructure alone is estimated at more than $71 billion. That’s according to a new report released today by the United Nations and the European Union. The World's Host Marco Werman discusses the implications with Sean Carroll, president of American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), a relief organization with deep roots in Gaza.

Six months after a ceasefire was announced in Gaza, conditions remain dire. And serious reconstruction has yet to begin. The cost of rebuilding the enclave’s infrastructure alone is estimated at more than $71 billion. That’s according to a new report released today by the United Nations and the European Union. The World's Host Marco Werman discusses the implications with Sean Carroll, president of American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), a relief organization with deep roots in Gaza.

As world focuses on Iran, Palestinians in Gaza struggle to survive

Over the weekend, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hosted a first-ever summit of progressive leaders. He used the event to condemn the US-Israeli war on Iran and called on the European Union to sever diplomatic and trade ties with Israel. Though it's unlikely to happen, there are signs that Europe is developing a more unified stance against Israeli military action in Gaza, Lebanon and beyond. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

Over the weekend, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hosted a first-ever summit of progressive leaders. He used the event to condemn the US-Israeli war on Iran and called on the European Union to sever diplomatic and trade ties with Israel. Though it's unlikely to happen, there are signs that Europe is developing a more unified stance against Israeli military action in Gaza, Lebanon and beyond. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

Spain takes lead as European relations with Israel fray

Mid-April marks the start of the annual "Great Moose Migration," a beloved televised event in Sweden that offers audiences a nonstop livestream of the four-legged creatures on their three-week journey. There's no narrator, no background music, just moose and the sounds of nature. This "slow TV" programming is the kind of mediative experience that has taken off in Scandinavia, as Johan Erhag explained last year to The World's Host Marco Werman. Erhag is the program's project manager and joined the show from the city of Umeå in northern Sweden.This story originally aired on April 17, 2025.

Mid-April marks the start of the annual "Great Moose Migration," a beloved televised event in Sweden that offers audiences a nonstop livestream of the four-legged creatures on their three-week journey. There's no narrator, no background music, just moose and the sounds of nature. This "slow TV" programming is the kind of mediative experience that has taken off in Scandinavia, as Johan Erhag explained last year to The World's Host Marco Werman. Erhag is the program's project manager and joined the show from the city of Umeå in northern Sweden.
This story originally aired on April 17, 2025.

Swedes tune in for the ‘Great Moose Migration’: 3 weeks of tranquil slow TV

Turkish American musician Mehmet Ali Sanlikol is a virtuoso on the oud. But up until now, most his albums have featured the acoustic oud. For his latest release, "The Electric Oud Man Speaks ... And You Listen," Sanlikol had an electric oud custom built. He recently came to The World's studios to talk about it.

Turkish American musician Mehmet Ali Sanlikol is a virtuoso on the oud. But up until now, most his albums have featured the acoustic oud. For his latest release, "The Electric Oud Man Speaks ... And You Listen," Sanlikol had an electric oud custom built. He recently came to The World's studios to talk about it.

'The Electric Oud Man Speaks'

Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record in South and Southeast Asia, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR on Friday. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learned more from Tun Khin, president of the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK, and Matthew Smith, the CEO and founder of Fortify Rights, a human rights group monitoring conditions for the Rohingya.

Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record in South and Southeast Asia, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR on Friday. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learned more from Tun Khin, president of the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK, and Matthew Smith, the CEO and founder of Fortify Rights, a human rights group monitoring conditions for the Rohingya.

2025 marked deadly new record for Rohingya lost at sea

India’s historic trains are perhaps the most famous in the world among travelers. Huge, clunking night trains crossing massive distances, while in the carriages, cross-sections of Indian society come together over chai. But the train narrative in the country is changing. India has rolled out gleaming new "semi-high speed" express trains across the country. Reporter Jamie Fullerton takes a journey on this new generation of night trains.

India’s historic trains are perhaps the most famous in the world among travelers. Huge, clunking night trains crossing massive distances, while in the carriages, cross-sections of Indian society come together over chai. But the train narrative in the country is changing. India has rolled out gleaming new "semi-high speed" express trains across the country. Reporter Jamie Fullerton takes a journey on this new generation of night trains.

India's new generation of night trains leave the station

There is an unexpected Muslim community in Cape Town, South Africa. It is the oldest neighborhood of Muslims in the country. They are known as the Cape Malay. And while they are staunch followers of Islam, their traditions are not what most Muslims would recognize. Aina Khan from the "More Muslim" podcast explains.

There is an unexpected Muslim community in Cape Town, South Africa. It is the oldest neighborhood of Muslims in the country. They are known as the Cape Malay. And while they are staunch followers of Islam, their traditions are not what most Muslims would recognize. Aina Khan from the "More Muslim" podcast explains.

Cape Town's Muslim community created its own brand of Islam

New England, and much of the country, is experiencing a sharp drop in the number of traditional college-age students. But one population is still growing: Latino students, especially kids who would be the first in their families to attend college. As GBH’s Kirk Carapezza reports, the question for colleges across the nation is whether they’re truly ready to recruit, retain and graduate those students.

New England, and much of the country, is experiencing a sharp drop in the number of traditional college-age students. But one population is still growing: Latino students, especially kids who would be the first in their families to attend college. As GBH’s Kirk Carapezza reports, the question for colleges across the nation is whether they’re truly ready to recruit, retain and graduate those students.

Boston College sets up school targeting first-generation immigrants

It's rare in Turkey to have US-style school shootings, but just this week, there have been two of them. At least nine people have been killed. While the attacks happened in two cities in southeastern Turkey, parents around the country are afraid to send their children to school. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with reporter Fariba Nawa in Istanbul.

It's rare in Turkey to have US-style school shootings, but just this week, there have been two of them. At least nine people have been killed. While the attacks happened in two cities in southeastern Turkey, parents around the country are afraid to send their children to school. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with reporter Fariba Nawa in Istanbul.

Two school shootings unnerve parents in Turkey

A law in Japan requires that couples officially have the same last name. But dating companies and even whole towns are helping make it easier to "hack" the law. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler explain.

A law in Japan requires that couples officially have the same last name. But dating companies and even whole towns are helping make it easier to "hack" the law. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler explain.

Japanese are working around the law requiring couples to have the same last name

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has been walking across continents for his project, the Out of Eden Walk. In that time, his perception of the flow of time has changed drastically from his former sedentary life. He joins Host Marco Werman to explain what he means by that, and shares his discovery of what he calls "walking time."

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has been walking across continents for his project, the Out of Eden Walk. In that time, his perception of the flow of time has changed drastically from his former sedentary life. He joins Host Marco Werman to explain what he means by that, and shares his discovery of what he calls "walking time."

To rediscover time, go for a walk

On Christmas Day last year, the US launched a missile strike in northern Nigeria to counter what some have called a “Christian genocide.” That military action, and a newly proposed bill in the United States House of Representatives calling for possible sanctions against some leaders, including a prominent governor, have raised questions in Nigeria about what US involvement would mean. Ricci Shryock reports from Kano about how some in Nigeria are pushing back against this narrative.

On Christmas Day last year, the US launched a missile strike in northern Nigeria to counter what some have called a “Christian genocide.” That military action, and a newly proposed bill in the United States House of Representatives calling for possible sanctions against some leaders, including a prominent governor, have raised questions in Nigeria about what US involvement would mean. Ricci Shryock reports from Kano about how some in Nigeria are pushing back against this narrative.

Northern Nigerians react to US accusations of Christian genocide

With prices soaring at the pump around the globe, drivers are increasingly considering getting rid of gas-powered vehicles entirely. New data shared with The World reveals that electric car sales — especially cheaper, used EVs — are surging in several countries. Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel has the story.

With prices soaring at the pump around the globe, drivers are increasingly considering getting rid of gas-powered vehicles entirely. New data shared with The World reveals that electric car sales — especially cheaper, used EVs — are surging in several countries. Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel has the story.

Iran war boosts global EV sales

Long-time foes in Libya took part in joint US-led military exercises this week. The bitter adversaries who head Libya’s eastern and western-based factions have taken other small steps toward reconciliation, like agreeing on a single national spending plan. But Jalel Harchaoui, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler that graft, corruption and other deeply-rooted problems still present major obstacles to reunification.

Long-time foes in Libya took part in joint US-led military exercises this week. The bitter adversaries who head Libya’s eastern and western-based factions have taken other small steps toward reconciliation, like agreeing on a single national spending plan. But Jalel Harchaoui, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler that graft, corruption and other deeply-rooted problems still present major obstacles to reunification.

Washington faces uphill battle to unite rival factions in Libya

Today the Trump administration announced a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. The temporary truce will offer welcome relief after six weeks of war between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah. But as The World's Shirin Jaafari tells Host Carolyn Beeler, many questions remain, including whether Israel will continue to occupy southern Lebanon, and what it would take to disarm Hezbollah.

Today the Trump administration announced a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. The temporary truce will offer welcome relief after six weeks of war between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah. But as The World's Shirin Jaafari tells Host Carolyn Beeler, many questions remain, including whether Israel will continue to occupy southern Lebanon, and what it would take to disarm Hezbollah.

Temporary ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel brings questions and relief

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said today that he received assurances from China that it is not supplying Iran with weapons. This follows a CNN report last week that US intelligence found evidence of China planning to send Iran defense system transfers. To understand the strategic ties between Iran and China, Host Marco Werman speaks to Ahmed Aboudouh, an associate fellow at Chatham House in London.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said today that he received assurances from China that it is not supplying Iran with weapons. This follows a CNN report last week that US intelligence found evidence of China planning to send Iran defense system transfers. To understand the strategic ties between Iran and China, Host Marco Werman speaks to Ahmed Aboudouh, an associate fellow at Chatham House in London.

Iran war tests Tehran's relationship with Beijing

Europe’s far-right movement has lost one of its most important figures with the defeat of Viktor Orbán in Hungary’s elections this week. Orbán has been a transnational symbol for the populist right. During his 16 years in office, the Hungarian leader and his allies took control of state media, redrew electoral boundaries and installed loyalists across key institutions. His loss now raises questions about whether a broader shift is underway for Europe’s populist right. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Europe’s far-right movement has lost one of its most important figures with the defeat of Viktor Orbán in Hungary’s elections this week. Orbán has been a transnational symbol for the populist right. During his 16 years in office, the Hungarian leader and his allies took control of state media, redrew electoral boundaries and installed loyalists across key institutions. His loss now raises questions about whether a broader shift is underway for Europe’s populist right. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

What Orbán's defeat in Hungary signals for Europe's far-right

In an wide-ranging interview on Hungary's M1 state television channel, Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar vowed to shut the station down. He chided the host for never letting him on her show before now, and claimed the channel had broken many laws. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more.

In an wide-ranging interview on Hungary's M1 state television channel, Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar vowed to shut the station down. He chided the host for never letting him on her show before now, and claimed the channel had broken many laws. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more.

Hungary's prime minister-to-be vows to shutter state TV's 'factory of lies'

Scientists are zeroing in on wastewater surveillance of airplanes as a critical tool to quickly detect the global spread of emerging pathogens. To learn more about what a monitoring system would look like, The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler went to Logan International Airport in Boston to speak with Alessandro Vespignani, a professor at Northeastern University and director of the Network Science Institute.This story originally aired on March 11, 2025.

Scientists are zeroing in on wastewater surveillance of airplanes as a critical tool to quickly detect the global spread of emerging pathogens. To learn more about what a monitoring system would look like, The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler went to Logan International Airport in Boston to speak with Alessandro Vespignani, a professor at Northeastern University and director of the Network Science Institute.
This story originally aired on March 11, 2025.

Why airplane wastewater is key in detecting emerging health threats

Ukraine is showcasing its rapid advances in high-tech warfare. This week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced his country’s robot soldiers to the world, in a video that’s now gone viral. He described how his troops captured a Russian position relying only on ground robotic systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. Arthur Holland Michel, a writer and researcher covering AI and other emerging technologies, discusses the implications with The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Ukraine is showcasing its rapid advances in high-tech warfare. This week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced his country’s robot soldiers to the world, in a video that’s now gone viral. He described how his troops captured a Russian position relying only on ground robotic systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. Arthur Holland Michel, a writer and researcher covering AI and other emerging technologies, discusses the implications with The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Russian soldiers surrender to unmanned robots on Ukraine's front line

Today marks three years since the start of Sudan’s civil war. Thousands are believed to have died [NOTE: 20,000 up to 150,000 according to estimates] and millions have been forced to flee [14 million from UN estimates]. The United Nations has called the conflict “the world’s worst health and humanitarian crisis.” The aid group Doctors Without Borders warned last month that sexual violence has become not only a weapon of war, but an everyday occurrence. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learned more from the group's project coordinator Stephanie Hoffman in Khartoum.

Today marks three years since the start of Sudan’s civil war. Thousands are believed to have died [NOTE: 20,000 up to 150,000 according to estimates] and millions have been forced to flee [14 million from UN estimates]. The United Nations has called the conflict “the world’s worst health and humanitarian crisis.” The aid group Doctors Without Borders warned last month that sexual violence has become not only a weapon of war, but an everyday occurrence. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learned more from the group's project coordinator Stephanie Hoffman in Khartoum.

A view from Sudan on 'the world's worst humanitarian crisis'

For Allison Yang, the founder of the video game studio Reality Reload, the H-1B visa process has all the basic elements of a game. Time, skill, strategy and a lot of rules. Players have a certain degree of control, but other aspects are pure luck — similar to the roll of dice. From KQED in San Francisco, Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman reports on a new video game designed to help people get an H-1B visa to work in the US.

For Allison Yang, the founder of the video game studio Reality Reload, the H-1B visa process has all the basic elements of a game. Time, skill, strategy and a lot of rules. Players have a certain degree of control, but other aspects are pure luck — similar to the roll of dice. From KQED in San Francisco, Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman reports on a new video game designed to help people get an H-1B visa to work in the US.

Getting an H-1B visa is like navigating a video game

Spain has pulled no punches in its opposition to the Israeli-US war in Iran. And it has earned a lot of praise around the world especially as much of the rest of Europe waffles. Turkey is particularly pleased, as it has no interest in more instability on its own doorstep. Turkish leaders have been lauding Spain for its courage in standing up to US President Donald Trump. And, as The World's Gerry Hadden reports, one of Turkey's leading industries is offering Spaniards a gift in return: hair transplants.

Spain has pulled no punches in its opposition to the Israeli-US war in Iran. And it has earned a lot of praise around the world especially as much of the rest of Europe waffles. Turkey is particularly pleased, as it has no interest in more instability on its own doorstep. Turkish leaders have been lauding Spain for its courage in standing up to US President Donald Trump. And, as The World's Gerry Hadden reports, one of Turkey's leading industries is offering Spaniards a gift in return: hair transplants.

Turkey thanks Spain for its stance on Iran war — with hair

Today marks three years since the start of Sudan’s civil war. Thousands are believed to have died and as many as 14 million have been forced to flee. In Berlin Wednesday, an international conference hoped to encourage peace talks — though neither side had representatives present. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler learned more from Alex de Waal, the executive director of the World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Today marks three years since the start of Sudan’s civil war. Thousands are believed to have died and as many as 14 million have been forced to flee. In Berlin Wednesday, an international conference hoped to encourage peace talks — though neither side had representatives present. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler learned more from Alex de Waal, the executive director of the World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.