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.

Loneliness is killing people. The World Health Organization reports more than 800,000 people die each year from causes linked to loneliness; social isolation has been shown to increase the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes, among other illnesses. To try and tackle this problem, in 2018 the UK launched a national loneliness strategy, becoming the first nation to do so. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Alex Smith, one of the architects of that strategy, for our new solutions series, The Loneliness Diagnosis.

Loneliness is killing people. The World Health Organization reports more than 800,000 people die each year from causes linked to loneliness; social isolation has been shown to increase the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes, among other illnesses. To try and tackle this problem, in 2018 the UK launched a national loneliness strategy, becoming the first nation to do so. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Alex Smith, one of the architects of that strategy, for our new solutions series, The Loneliness Diagnosis.

The loneliness diagnosis: A national strategy in the UK

AI is changing the way information about conflicts gets out, not just by creating fake images, but by making it harder to know what’s real. In places like Iran and Gaza, people who have lived through violence are finding themselves having to prove that their stories, and even their suffering, are real. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

AI is changing the way information about conflicts gets out, not just by creating fake images, but by making it harder to know what’s real. In places like Iran and Gaza, people who have lived through violence are finding themselves having to prove that their stories, and even their suffering, are real. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

AI is adding to confusion and doubt during conflicts

The Friedrich August Refuge, a hotel and restaurant 7,500 feet up in the Italian Dolomites, is being overrun with tourists. That might sound like a good thing, but locals are frustrated because most people are coming just for krapfen, the donut-like pastries, that are being promoted by influencers on social media. Host Carolyn Beeler explains.

The Friedrich August Refuge, a hotel and restaurant 7,500 feet up in the Italian Dolomites, is being overrun with tourists. That might sound like a good thing, but locals are frustrated because most people are coming just for krapfen, the donut-like pastries, that are being promoted by influencers on social media. Host Carolyn Beeler explains.

Pastries good enough to climb a mountain for

An anti-corruption investigation reaching into the highest ranks of Ukraine’s government and a former defense minister’s call for elections are adding to political tensions in Kyiv. Financial Times Chief Ukraine Correspondent Christopher Miller speaks with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about the anti-graft probe, the ousted defense minister’s challenge and whether or not Ukrainians are ready for wartime elections.

An anti-corruption investigation reaching into the highest ranks of Ukraine’s government and a former defense minister’s call for elections are adding to political tensions in Kyiv. Financial Times Chief Ukraine Correspondent Christopher Miller speaks with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about the anti-graft probe, the ousted defense minister’s challenge and whether or not Ukrainians are ready for wartime elections.

Zelenskyy deputy probed for corruption as fired defense minister demands elections

A Chinese cargo company just launched the first regularly scheduled shipping route through the Arctic. The Northern sea route from China to Europe is more passable than ever before due to melting ice in the Arctic, which allows vessels to bypass choke points in the Middle East. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learned more from Guðbjörg Ríkey Hauksdóttir, program manager for the Center for Arctic Studies at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík.

A Chinese cargo company just launched the first regularly scheduled shipping route through the Arctic. The Northern sea route from China to Europe is more passable than ever before due to melting ice in the Arctic, which allows vessels to bypass choke points in the Middle East. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learned more from Guðbjörg Ríkey Hauksdóttir, program manager for the Center for Arctic Studies at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík.

China announces first regularly scheduled shipping route

When Theresa Okokon was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador, she decided to go on a whitewater rafting trip. It broke all the rules of the Corps and didn't end up well. She shared her experience with GBH's Stories From The Stage.

When Theresa Okokon was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador, she decided to go on a whitewater rafting trip. It broke all the rules of the Corps and didn't end up well. She shared her experience with GBH's Stories From The Stage.

Whitewater rafting in Ecuador

Terada Honke Sake brewery is like a shrine to the microorganisms that brewers must cooperate with to make sake. The workers there sing traditional songs as they pound steamed rice to make a fermentation starter with ambient yeast. Last fall, reporter Hannah Kirshner captured these rare sounds in an audio postcard and she tells the story of why the owner brought back the old songs.

Terada Honke Sake brewery is like a shrine to the microorganisms that brewers must cooperate with to make sake. The workers there sing traditional songs as they pound steamed rice to make a fermentation starter with ambient yeast. Last fall, reporter Hannah Kirshner captured these rare sounds in an audio postcard and she tells the story of why the owner brought back the old songs.

Japan's sacred sake songs

In 1993, a new species was discovered in the swampy forests of Africa: the Niger Delta red colobus monkey. Within 20 years, most of the monkeys had been wiped out by hunting and habitat loss. The dire situation prompted one researcher to launch a community-led program to save the primates. Carolyn Beeler explains what happened.

In 1993, a new species was discovered in the swampy forests of Africa: the Niger Delta red colobus monkey. Within 20 years, most of the monkeys had been wiped out by hunting and habitat loss. The dire situation prompted one researcher to launch a community-led program to save the primates. Carolyn Beeler explains what happened.

Saving the red colobus monkey

The US military has been conducting deadly strikes on boats it says are carrying drugs off the coast of Latin America. Now, the US Defense Department says it's expanding that maritime campaign to land. Jeremy McDermott, co-director of the Colombia-based investigative organization InSight Crime, speaks with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about what’s driving the new approach.

The US military has been conducting deadly strikes on boats it says are carrying drugs off the coast of Latin America. Now, the US Defense Department says it's expanding that maritime campaign to land. Jeremy McDermott, co-director of the Colombia-based investigative organization InSight Crime, speaks with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about what’s driving the new approach.

US military vows to expand lethal boat bombing campaign to land

The death of Jason Arday, a Black professor at the University of Cambridge, has sparked a debate in Britain over the media scrutiny he faced in the weeks leading up to his death. Arday made history in 2023 when he became the youngest Black professor appointed to the prestigious university. But last month, he faced allegations of plagiarism, which he denied, and he resigned from his post in early August. Arday was found dead at his home in London on Friday. Now, his supporters are questioning the role of both the British media and Cambridge University. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

The death of Jason Arday, a Black professor at the University of Cambridge, has sparked a debate in Britain over the media scrutiny he faced in the weeks leading up to his death. Arday made history in 2023 when he became the youngest Black professor appointed to the prestigious university. But last month, he faced allegations of plagiarism, which he denied, and he resigned from his post in early August. Arday was found dead at his home in London on Friday. Now, his supporters are questioning the role of both the British media and Cambridge University. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Questions raised over media scrutiny of Cambridge professor in UK before his death

For years, foreign aid has financed essential health services across Africa. Now, following the dismantling of USAID and the disruption of programs that supported health systems, African governments face a difficult question of whether they can realistically replace the money. But a new survey shows that young people in Africa think this could be a moment of change for the continent. Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman reports from Ghana’s capital Accra.

For years, foreign aid has financed essential health services across Africa. Now, following the dismantling of USAID and the disruption of programs that supported health systems, African governments face a difficult question of whether they can realistically replace the money. But a new survey shows that young people in Africa think this could be a moment of change for the continent. Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman reports from Ghana’s capital Accra.

1 in 4 young Africans see USAID cuts as positive

Florence Pouya is studying aerospace engineering at MIT, and is currently on a summer internship with NASA. As an adolescent, Pouya was a member of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team (the “Afghan Dreamers”), which became famous worldwide when they participated in the first “Robot Olympics” in Washington, DC, in 2017, and then when an MTV documentary and a feature film were made about them. Amy Bracken has her story.

Florence Pouya is studying aerospace engineering at MIT, and is currently on a summer internship with NASA. As an adolescent, Pouya was a member of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team (the “Afghan Dreamers”), which became famous worldwide when they participated in the first “Robot Olympics” in Washington, DC, in 2017, and then when an MTV documentary and a feature film were made about them. Amy Bracken has her story.

Could Afghanistan have its first female astronaut?

Mexico’s largest university is in an admissions crisis after its first fully online entrance exam produced unusually high scores and allegations of cheating. Now, tens of thousands of applicants are being asked to take the test again — including students who may have earned their spots fairly. The scandal is also exposing a deeper problem: fierce competition for a limited number of places at Mexico’s most prestigious public universities. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

Mexico’s largest university is in an admissions crisis after its first fully online entrance exam produced unusually high scores and allegations of cheating. Now, tens of thousands of applicants are being asked to take the test again — including students who may have earned their spots fairly. The scandal is also exposing a deeper problem: fierce competition for a limited number of places at Mexico’s most prestigious public universities. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

Cheating scandal shakes Mexico's top university

Last month, China instituted the so-called “Ethnic Unity Law.” The government says the new series of regulations is aimed at promoting unity and patriotism. But for China’s more than 50 ethnic minorities, the regulations impose the Chinese language in schools and public life. Eduardo Castillo, China bureau chief with The Associated Press, was given rare access to Tibet in a government-led visit last month. He joins the show from Beijing to discuss.

Last month, China instituted the so-called “Ethnic Unity Law.” The government says the new series of regulations is aimed at promoting unity and patriotism. But for China’s more than 50 ethnic minorities, the regulations impose the Chinese language in schools and public life. Eduardo Castillo, China bureau chief with The Associated Press, was given rare access to Tibet in a government-led visit last month. He joins the show from Beijing to discuss.

AP journalist gets rare access to Chinese-controlled Tibet

\While conflicts rage across the globe, Turkey may just stand on the brink of ending a struggle that has lasted nearly half a century. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, launched an insurgency against Turkey in 1984 with the aim of creating an independent state. But in February last year, a turning point came when imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called on the group to disarm and dissolve. And this week, hope took tangible form as the Turkish parliament passed a law paving the way for rebels to return and reintegrate into society. Dorian Jones reports.

\While conflicts rage across the globe, Turkey may just stand on the brink of ending a struggle that has lasted nearly half a century. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, launched an insurgency against Turkey in 1984 with the aim of creating an independent state. But in February last year, a turning point came when imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called on the group to disarm and dissolve. And this week, hope took tangible form as the Turkish parliament passed a law paving the way for rebels to return and reintegrate into society. Dorian Jones reports.

Peace between Turkey and Kurdish rebels could be at hand

US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, given his “very good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.” One of the goals of the drills was to assess how North Korea's battlefield experience in Ukraine could impact the threat Seoul faces. Former US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns and The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler discuss the implications for the US-South Korea alliance.

US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, given his “very good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.” One of the goals of the drills was to assess how North Korea's battlefield experience in Ukraine could impact the threat Seoul faces. Former US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns and The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler discuss the implications for the US-South Korea alliance.

Trump scales back military drills with Seoul as Pyongyang flexes in Ukraine

Every year, thousands of people risk the perilous journey across the Mediterranean, aiming for Italy and a chance at a new life in Europe. Many end up off the island of Lampedusa, abandoning their boats offshore. Now, in a prison workshop in Milan, those boats are being given a second life. Inmates at Opera prison, one of Italy’s largest jails, are turning the abandoned vessels into musical instruments as The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry found out last year in Milan.This story originally aired on Nov. 5, 2025.

Every year, thousands of people risk the perilous journey across the Mediterranean, aiming for Italy and a chance at a new life in Europe. Many end up off the island of Lampedusa, abandoning their boats offshore. Now, in a prison workshop in Milan, those boats are being given a second life. Inmates at Opera prison, one of Italy’s largest jails, are turning the abandoned vessels into musical instruments as The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry found out last year in Milan.
This story originally aired on Nov. 5, 2025.

Milan inmates turn abandoned refugee boats into musical instruments

The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius drew dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital's Vingis Park on Saturday for what organizers said was the biggest edition yet. There were competitors from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the United States and Britain — the country most closely associated with the breed, famously a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Host Carolyn Beeler explains.

The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius drew dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital's Vingis Park on Saturday for what organizers said was the biggest edition yet. There were competitors from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the United States and Britain — the country most closely associated with the breed, famously a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Host Carolyn Beeler explains.

Fifth annual Corgi Race Vilnius took place this weekend

Athens’ Panathenaic Stadium is getting its first deep clean in more than a century. It's a U-shaped stadium in Greece made entirely of white marble, and it's being buffed up ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Athens stadium will serve as the ceremonial send-off point for the Olympic flame. Host Carolyn Beeler has more on the stadium where the first modern Games were held in 1896.

Athens’ Panathenaic Stadium is getting its first deep clean in more than a century. It's a U-shaped stadium in Greece made entirely of white marble, and it's being buffed up ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Athens stadium will serve as the ceremonial send-off point for the Olympic flame. Host Carolyn Beeler has more on the stadium where the first modern Games were held in 1896.

Olympic stadium gets spruced up ahead of 2028 Games

At least six people have died from heat stroke in Sonora, Mexico, this year, and experts say the city of Hermosillo needs to find ways to cool down. As the climate warms globally, Hermosillo is digging into a relatively simple solution to help solve its urban heat problem: trees. In addition to city and state tree planting initiatives, those led by community volunteers have also taken root in recent years. Nina Kravinsky from KJZZ reports.

At least six people have died from heat stroke in Sonora, Mexico, this year, and experts say the city of Hermosillo needs to find ways to cool down. As the climate warms globally, Hermosillo is digging into a relatively simple solution to help solve its urban heat problem: trees. In addition to city and state tree planting initiatives, those led by community volunteers have also taken root in recent years. Nina Kravinsky from KJZZ reports.

Mexican officials adding native trees to create life-saving shade

Campaigns for this year's presidential election in Brazil began on Sunday. Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is running against Flavio Bolsonaro, son of his former rival. They are the two leading candidates, but a third politician — US President Donald Trump — may be a large influence on the race. Michael Fox reports.

Campaigns for this year's presidential election in Brazil began on Sunday. Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is running against Flavio Bolsonaro, son of his former rival. They are the two leading candidates, but a third politician — US President Donald Trump — may be a large influence on the race. Michael Fox reports.

Brazil's presidential election season kicks off

In August 2021, a GoFundMe post pleaded for help getting the Afghan Girls Robotics Team out of Afghanistan. They had become celebrities in their country, with leaders calling them the future of Afghanistan. Then, they were wanted by the Taliban. All made it out, and many are thriving in the US and Mexico, while still struggling with homesickness and the knowledge of their loved ones’ suffering. Reporter Amy Bracken has the story.

In August 2021, a GoFundMe post pleaded for help getting the Afghan Girls Robotics Team out of Afghanistan. They had become celebrities in their country, with leaders calling them the future of Afghanistan. Then, they were wanted by the Taliban. All made it out, and many are thriving in the US and Mexico, while still struggling with homesickness and the knowledge of their loved ones’ suffering. Reporter Amy Bracken has the story.

The Afghan Girls Robotics Team reflects on leaving their country

Swiss rivers and lakes are reaching near-record temperatures. This is an irritation for the thousands of people who hop into the country's urban waterways to cool off, and it's a dire warning for the country's future. Warm water risks disrupting the electricity supply by making hydropower less efficient and by making it impossible to cool nuclear plants. The Nuclear Power Plant is already operating at reduced capacity due to the Aare River's high temperature. If the water remains this warm, aquatic ecosystems will collapse, as well. The World's Gabe Bullard reports.

Swiss rivers and lakes are reaching near-record temperatures. This is an irritation for the thousands of people who hop into the country's urban waterways to cool off, and it's a dire warning for the country's future. Warm water risks disrupting the electricity supply by making hydropower less efficient and by making it impossible to cool nuclear plants. The Nuclear Power Plant is already operating at reduced capacity due to the Aare River's high temperature. If the water remains this warm, aquatic ecosystems will collapse, as well. The World's Gabe Bullard reports.

European heat wave isn't just about warmer air temperatures

Extreme heat isn't just bad for your health; it also has a serious impact on our transit systems. In Europe this summer, train tracks have buckled, roads have cracked and subways have turned into ovens. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Phil Blythe, former chief scientific advisor for the UK's Department of Transportation.

Extreme heat isn't just bad for your health; it also has a serious impact on our transit systems. In Europe this summer, train tracks have buckled, roads have cracked and subways have turned into ovens. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Phil Blythe, former chief scientific advisor for the UK's Department of Transportation.

Extreme heat affecting transportation

The wrinkles on the trunks of elephants are not a result of aging. They develop in utero. And scientists have now discovered it is possible to determine an elephant’s “trunkedness” — kind of like being right- or left-handed — by analyzing them. Host Carolyn Beeler finds out more about elephant trunk wrinkles from Lena Kauffmann, one of the authors of a study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.This story originally aired on Oct. 9, 2024.

The wrinkles on the trunks of elephants are not a result of aging. They develop in utero. And scientists have now discovered it is possible to determine an elephant’s “trunkedness” — kind of like being right- or left-handed — by analyzing them. Host Carolyn Beeler finds out more about elephant trunk wrinkles from Lena Kauffmann, one of the authors of a study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
This story originally aired on Oct. 9, 2024.

Wrinkles on an elephant's trunk are not a result of aging

Afghan activist Mahbouba Seraj ran the last remaining safe house and shelter for abused women in Kabul until it was forced to shutter last December. Seraj is still living in the Afghan capital and doing her best to voice the aspirations of Afghan girls and women. But she’s wondering if it’s time to leave. She spoke with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about the erasure of women from public life.

Afghan activist Mahbouba Seraj ran the last remaining safe house and shelter for abused women in Kabul until it was forced to shutter last December. Seraj is still living in the Afghan capital and doing her best to voice the aspirations of Afghan girls and women. But she’s wondering if it’s time to leave. She spoke with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about the erasure of women from public life.

'I promised the women of Afghanistan ... that I will be their voice'

Humans and monkeys once peacefully coexisted in Lopburi, a mid-sized city in Thailand, but no more. Its downtown is overrun with more than 2,000 long-tailed macaques, snatching food and belongings from passersby. Wildlife authorities say the monkeys expanded their turf during lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the alpha males now acting like gang leaders. The World's Patrick Winn reported on the difficulty officials had dealing with the monkeys. Since the story aired, the city has rounded up and sterilized thousands of the monkeys.This story originally aired on April 12, 2024.

Humans and monkeys once peacefully coexisted in Lopburi, a mid-sized city in Thailand, but no more. Its downtown is overrun with more than 2,000 long-tailed macaques, snatching food and belongings from passersby. Wildlife authorities say the monkeys expanded their turf during lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the alpha males now acting like gang leaders. The World's Patrick Winn reported on the difficulty officials had dealing with the monkeys. Since the story aired, the city has rounded up and sterilized thousands of the monkeys.
This story originally aired on April 12, 2024.

Monkey 'mafia bosses' rule parts of this Thai city

Birdwatching is a rapidly growing and lucrative part of the tourism sector worldwide, but women make up a very small minority of professional guides. Uganda Women Birders, a bird guide club, is revolutionizing the industry by encouraging and supporting women who want to get into the business. Anita Elash reports from the town of Entebbe, Uganda.This story originally aired on Jan. 18, 2024.

Birdwatching is a rapidly growing and lucrative part of the tourism sector worldwide, but women make up a very small minority of professional guides. Uganda Women Birders, a bird guide club, is revolutionizing the industry by encouraging and supporting women who want to get into the business. Anita Elash reports from the town of Entebbe, Uganda.
This story originally aired on Jan. 18, 2024.

Women bird guides in Uganda set a global example

The late Puerto Rican band leader, Ray Barretto, must have imagined an elephant marching through New York City when he composed the song, "O Elefante." The song dates back to 1971 and brings you right into a swingin' jungle.This story originally aired on July 4, 2023.

The late Puerto Rican band leader, Ray Barretto, must have imagined an elephant marching through New York City when he composed the song, "O Elefante." The song dates back to 1971 and brings you right into a swingin' jungle.
This story originally aired on July 4, 2023.

An urban band captures the jungle-like sounds of an elephant

Giant tortoises have been reintroduced on Floreana Island in the Galapagos. The tortoises were thought to be extinct on the island since the 1800s, but 20 years ago, scientists discovered descendants on another island. Thanks to that discovery, conservationists were able to breed and reintroduce the tortoises. The World's Host Marco Werman spoke with James Gibbs from Galapagos Conservancy about the project.This story originally aired on Feb. 23, 2026.

Giant tortoises have been reintroduced on Floreana Island in the Galapagos. The tortoises were thought to be extinct on the island since the 1800s, but 20 years ago, scientists discovered descendants on another island. Thanks to that discovery, conservationists were able to breed and reintroduce the tortoises. The World's Host Marco Werman spoke with James Gibbs from Galapagos Conservancy about the project.
This story originally aired on Feb. 23, 2026.