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.

A new study has revealed that islands in the Scottish Hebrides may be the only place on Earth to have a detailed record of how the Earth entered a deep Ice Age hundreds of millions of years ago — and how the thaw which followed led to the emergence of the first animal life. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Elias Rugen, a PhD student at University College, London, and lead author of the study out this week in the Journal of the Geological Society of London, about the discovery.

A new study has revealed that islands in the Scottish Hebrides may be the only place on Earth to have a detailed record of how the Earth entered a deep Ice Age hundreds of millions of years ago — and how the thaw which followed led to the emergence of the first animal life. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Elias Rugen, a PhD student at University College, London, and lead author of the study out this week in the Journal of the Geological Society of London, about the discovery.

Missing geological records found on Scottish islands

How Olympic athletes earn a living looks different for everyone, but cash after winning gold can often come from sponsors, governments and national Olympic committees. This year, World Athletics has become the first international governing body to reward gold medals. But as The World's Bianca Hillier reports, whether cash prizes belong at the Games is up for debate.

How Olympic athletes earn a living looks different for everyone, but cash after winning gold can often come from sponsors, governments and national Olympic committees. This year, World Athletics has become the first international governing body to reward gold medals. But as The World's Bianca Hillier reports, whether cash prizes belong at the Games is up for debate.

For some athletes, an Olympic gold medal comes with a boatload of cash

Indonesia's capital is in trouble. Greater Jakarta is crammed with 30 million people. The traffic jams and smog are debilitating. On top of that, this big concrete city is slowly sinking into the sea. Tomorrow, Indonesia will inaugurate an improved capital built on a jungly island. But can the new city live up to its promises? The World’s Patrick Winn reports.

Indonesia's capital is in trouble. Greater Jakarta is crammed with 30 million people. The traffic jams and smog are debilitating. On top of that, this big concrete city is slowly sinking into the sea. Tomorrow, Indonesia will inaugurate an improved capital built on a jungly island. But can the new city live up to its promises? The World’s Patrick Winn reports.

Indonesia has a new 'forest capital'

There’s a very quirky kind of vehicle on roads around the US. They’re tiny, and the steering wheel is on the right side. For some car enthusiasts, these little Japanese imports are a passion. But as Craig LeMoult reports from GBH in Boston, some states are taking steps to ban them from the roads.

There’s a very quirky kind of vehicle on roads around the US. They’re tiny, and the steering wheel is on the right side. For some car enthusiasts, these little Japanese imports are a passion. But as Craig LeMoult reports from GBH in Boston, some states are taking steps to ban them from the roads.

Tiny car mini-trend could fall victim to state regulations across the US

Two days of ceasefire negotiations over the war in Gaza wrapped up today with the participants planning to reconvene next week in Cairo. Today, the US, Egypt and Qatar issued a joint statement saying this week's meetings in Doha have bridged some gaps, and should allow for a swift implementation of a deal, as The World's Host Marco Werman explains.

Two days of ceasefire negotiations over the war in Gaza wrapped up today with the participants planning to reconvene next week in Cairo. Today, the US, Egypt and Qatar issued a joint statement saying this week's meetings in Doha have bridged some gaps, and should allow for a swift implementation of a deal, as The World's Host Marco Werman explains.

Gaza ceasefire talks to resume next week

As countries from China to Spain break heat records, some architects have been looking to cooling systems used centuries ago for inspiration. In Iran's historic city of Yazd, decorative wind-catching towers, sometimes paired with cooling pools, have been able to provide emissions-free heat relief for many private and public buildings. As The World's Durrie Bouscaren reports, while a lot of these towers are now defunct, architects have been studying them as a model for new, climate-friendly air conditioning.This story originally aired on  Sept. 14, 2022.

As countries from China to Spain break heat records, some architects have been looking to cooling systems used centuries ago for inspiration. In Iran's historic city of Yazd, decorative wind-catching towers, sometimes paired with cooling pools, have been able to provide emissions-free heat relief for many private and public buildings. As The World's Durrie Bouscaren reports, while a lot of these towers are now defunct, architects have been studying them as a model for new, climate-friendly air conditioning.
This story originally aired on  Sept. 14, 2022.

Architects look to medieval forms of air conditioning to combat modern heat waves

In Farsi, haarf means to "talk." And that's just what Iranian-Israeli singer Liraz Charhi wants all sides to do in the Middle East, where tensions remain high. Liraz sings about the danger of false narratives swirling around social media, and rhetoric that creates divisions. The World's Host Marco Werman tells us more.

In Farsi, haarf means to "talk." And that's just what Iranian-Israeli singer Liraz Charhi wants all sides to do in the Middle East, where tensions remain high. Liraz sings about the danger of false narratives swirling around social media, and rhetoric that creates divisions. The World's Host Marco Werman tells us more.

Iranian-Israeli singer Liraz urges all sides to 'Haarf'

After 20 years of negotiations, the international community failed to reach a peace deal for Afghanistan. And so, when the US withdrew its troops in 2021, the country was left to the Taliban. The most contentious issue between the two sides was the freedom of Afghan women — to access education and work. In this excerpt of the podcast "The Negotiators," from Foreign Policy and Doha Debates, Ashley Jackson, co-director of the Center on Armed Groups looks at how aid workers and activists continued to negotiate with the Taliban.

After 20 years of negotiations, the international community failed to reach a peace deal for Afghanistan. And so, when the US withdrew its troops in 2021, the country was left to the Taliban. The most contentious issue between the two sides was the freedom of Afghan women — to access education and work. In this excerpt of the podcast "The Negotiators," from Foreign Policy and Doha Debates, Ashley Jackson, co-director of the Center on Armed Groups looks at how aid workers and activists continued to negotiate with the Taliban.

Foreign Policy podcast: Talking to the Taliban

Denmark's violent crime rates have been rising, and a significant portion of it is committed by teens from Sweden. The two countries have decided to work together on law enforcement. Swedish police officers will set up shop in Denmark and work on preventing the import of violent crime to Danish streets. Diamant Salihu, a crime reporter for the Swedish news broadcaster, SVT, talks about the origins of this crime and the methods Denmark and Sweden are using to control it.

Denmark's violent crime rates have been rising, and a significant portion of it is committed by teens from Sweden. The two countries have decided to work together on law enforcement. Swedish police officers will set up shop in Denmark and work on preventing the import of violent crime to Danish streets. Diamant Salihu, a crime reporter for the Swedish news broadcaster, SVT, talks about the origins of this crime and the methods Denmark and Sweden are using to control it.

Swedish police will go to Denmark to help prevent violent crime

Swedish authorities have recorded the first case of a contagious new variant of mpox outside the African continent. This week, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak inside Africa as “a public health emergency of international concern.” Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases expert at Emory University, speaks with The World's Host Marco Werman about the race to get mpox vaccines into the arms of the most vulnerable Africans.

Swedish authorities have recorded the first case of a contagious new variant of mpox outside the African continent. This week, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak inside Africa as “a public health emergency of international concern.” Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases expert at Emory University, speaks with The World's Host Marco Werman about the race to get mpox vaccines into the arms of the most vulnerable Africans.

The race to get mpox vaccines to people across Africa who need them most

Highly anticipated ceasefire negotiations got underway in Doha, Qatar today. White House spokesman John Kirby said they were "off to a promising start." Kirby said the overall framework for a ceasefire is agreed on, and negotiators are working out the details of how the deal would be implemented. The World's Matthew Bell has the latest.

Highly anticipated ceasefire negotiations got underway in Doha, Qatar today. White House spokesman John Kirby said they were "off to a promising start." Kirby said the overall framework for a ceasefire is agreed on, and negotiators are working out the details of how the deal would be implemented. The World's Matthew Bell has the latest.

Gaza talks 'off to a promising start'

Not running while playing soccer is harder than it seems. But it's easier on the knees, making it a boon for the over-50's who still love the "beautiful game" but can no longer play the physically challenging sport. Last October, The World's Gerry Hadden in Barcelona, Spain, reported on a new, slower version of the game.This story originally aired on Oct. 13, 2023.

Not running while playing soccer is harder than it seems. But it's easier on the knees, making it a boon for the over-50's who still love the "beautiful game" but can no longer play the physically challenging sport. Last October, The World's Gerry Hadden in Barcelona, Spain, reported on a new, slower version of the game.
This story originally aired on Oct. 13, 2023.

Walking soccer keeps older folks in the game

This week, Germany sent out an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian national known as Volodymyr Z in connection with the 2022 sabotage of the Nordstream natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Originally, many blamed Russia to have carried this out. But the Wall Street Journal investigation shows that it was in fact Ukraine who is responsible. The World's Host Marco Werman talks with Bojan Pancevski who broke the story for the Wall Street Journal.

This week, Germany sent out an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian national known as Volodymyr Z in connection with the 2022 sabotage of the Nordstream natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Originally, many blamed Russia to have carried this out. But the Wall Street Journal investigation shows that it was in fact Ukraine who is responsible. The World's Host Marco Werman talks with Bojan Pancevski who broke the story for the Wall Street Journal.

Wall Street Journal details the Nordstream explosion

Across Latvia, farmers are planting sunflowers as part of an effort to raise money for Ukraine. The idea is to attract people to take selfies with the flowers and donate to Ukraine. The money will then go to the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv, which was hit by a Russian strike last month. The World's Daniel Ofman reports from Latvia.

Across Latvia, farmers are planting sunflowers as part of an effort to raise money for Ukraine. The idea is to attract people to take selfies with the flowers and donate to Ukraine. The money will then go to the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv, which was hit by a Russian strike last month. The World's Daniel Ofman reports from Latvia.

Latvian sunflower campaign fro Ukraine

After the fall of Kabul, exactly three years ago today, the lives of many women and activists in Afghanistan were in peril as the Taliban took over. This is the story of how journalists, diplomats and aid workers around the world formed a network to support them. It was called Digital Dunkirk. The World's Shirin Jaafari was a part of this network and tells the story.

After the fall of Kabul, exactly three years ago today, the lives of many women and activists in Afghanistan were in peril as the Taliban took over. This is the story of how journalists, diplomats and aid workers around the world formed a network to support them. It was called Digital Dunkirk. The World's Shirin Jaafari was a part of this network and tells the story.

A network that helped people trying to flee Afghanistan

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that he backs a new election in Venezuela. The comment to reporters came after Brazil also urged for a new vote. Two weeks ago, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory in an election that has been widely criticized by the opposition there. Host Marco Werman has the details.

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that he backs a new election in Venezuela. The comment to reporters came after Brazil also urged for a new vote. Two weeks ago, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory in an election that has been widely criticized by the opposition there. Host Marco Werman has the details.

Biden supports new Venezuela election

Istanbul is one of those rare, historic cities where you can practically trip over ancient history. A 16th-century-old bathhouse, or hamam, is privately owned and on sale for $2 million. Though the city is full of historic buildings that have been stunningly restored, it's often prohibitively expensive. At what point is cultural heritage worth saving? The World's Durrie Bouscaren reports.

Istanbul is one of those rare, historic cities where you can practically trip over ancient history. A 16th-century-old bathhouse, or hamam, is privately owned and on sale for $2 million. Though the city is full of historic buildings that have been stunningly restored, it's often prohibitively expensive. At what point is cultural heritage worth saving? The World's Durrie Bouscaren reports.

A 400-year-old Turkish bathhouse goes up for sale. Here's what happens next.

NASA officials said on Wednesday that the two astronauts delivered to the International Space Station in June by Boeing's Starliner could return on SpaceX's Crew Dragon in February 2025, if Starliner is still deemed unsafe to return to Earth. Host Marco Werman tells how other astronauts have endured longer-than-expected stays aboard the space station.

NASA officials said on Wednesday that the two astronauts delivered to the International Space Station in June by Boeing's Starliner could return on SpaceX's Crew Dragon in February 2025, if Starliner is still deemed unsafe to return to Earth. Host Marco Werman tells how other astronauts have endured longer-than-expected stays aboard the space station.

Stuck in space: It's happened before

The Biden administration is flooding the zone in the Middle East with high-level diplomats ahead of a key meeting on Thursday. Getting a ceasefire for Gaza is the immediate goal. But this is also about bringing down the temperature in a region that's on edge after Israel assassinated two top leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel has been anxiously waiting to see what sort of retaliation Iran and its regional proxies might unleash against the Jewish state. The US wants to prevent a wider regional war as The World's Matthew Bell reports.

The Biden administration is flooding the zone in the Middle East with high-level diplomats ahead of a key meeting on Thursday. Getting a ceasefire for Gaza is the immediate goal. But this is also about bringing down the temperature in a region that's on edge after Israel assassinated two top leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel has been anxiously waiting to see what sort of retaliation Iran and its regional proxies might unleash against the Jewish state. The US wants to prevent a wider regional war as The World's Matthew Bell reports.

The US push for a ceasefire in Gaza hangs on Thursday's meeting

The British prime minister has vowed to come down hard on rioters involved in violent, far-right protests in the UK last week. Some offenders have already been sentenced to time in prison. But British prisons are already at 99% capacity, and many are dangerously overcrowded. The World's Europe correspondent Orla Barry explores if the government can get tough on violent protesters when its jails are overflowing.

The British prime minister has vowed to come down hard on rioters involved in violent, far-right protests in the UK last week. Some offenders have already been sentenced to time in prison. But British prisons are already at 99% capacity, and many are dangerously overcrowded. The World's Europe correspondent Orla Barry explores if the government can get tough on violent protesters when its jails are overflowing.

Overcrowded prisons present dilemma for British prime minister

In a surprise announcement on Wednesday, Japan's Prime Minister Kishida says he's stepping down from office. Kishida's approval rates have dropped, and he's faced intense criticism for rising cost of living in Japan as well as some political scandals. The World's Marco Werman has the details.

In a surprise announcement on Wednesday, Japan's Prime Minister Kishida says he's stepping down from office. Kishida's approval rates have dropped, and he's faced intense criticism for rising cost of living in Japan as well as some political scandals. The World's Marco Werman has the details.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan steps down

A powerful workers union behind a strike at Chile's Escondida mine, which produced nearly 5% of the world's copper in 2023, is looking to snarl production at the site as it pushes for a bigger share of the profits. Host Marco Werman speaks with Dusan Paredes, economics professor at Universidad Católica del Norte in Antofagasta, Chile, about the miners' demands and the potential impact on the price of copper.

A powerful workers union behind a strike at Chile's Escondida mine, which produced nearly 5% of the world's copper in 2023, is looking to snarl production at the site as it pushes for a bigger share of the profits. Host Marco Werman speaks with Dusan Paredes, economics professor at Universidad Católica del Norte in Antofagasta, Chile, about the miners' demands and the potential impact on the price of copper.

Chilean miners' strike threatens world copper supply

German authorities issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian national named Volodymyr Z. His last name is protected by Germany privacy law, but he's a suspect in the explosions that destroyed the natural gas pipeline running beneath the Baltic Sea. Olga Khakova explains stakes of this enduring mystery.

German authorities issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian national named Volodymyr Z. His last name is protected by Germany privacy law, but he's a suspect in the explosions that destroyed the natural gas pipeline running beneath the Baltic Sea. Olga Khakova explains stakes of this enduring mystery.

A new clue in the Nordstream mystery

Last Friday, a young female doctor was raped and murdered at a hospital in Kolkata, India. The doctor was resting following her shift at the hospital. Now, there's outrage in India following the incident with tens of thousand expected to march on Wednesday. Host Marco Werman speaks with Dr. Rimy Day about the violence that women experience at public and private hospitals in India.

Last Friday, a young female doctor was raped and murdered at a hospital in Kolkata, India. The doctor was resting following her shift at the hospital. Now, there's outrage in India following the incident with tens of thousand expected to march on Wednesday. Host Marco Werman speaks with Dr. Rimy Day about the violence that women experience at public and private hospitals in India.

Rape and murder of Indian female doctors sparks outrage

In Italy, even though the beaches are public property, the government rents out stretches of beach to beach club operators. And those licenses are handed down from father to son for generations, creating monopolies. The EU has decided to get involved. It says that this practice violates a competition clause. And now, it is forcing the beach club licenses to be reallocated through a fair bidding process. The operators are not happy, as The World's Sarah Birnbaum reports.

In Italy, even though the beaches are public property, the government rents out stretches of beach to beach club operators. And those licenses are handed down from father to son for generations, creating monopolies. The EU has decided to get involved. It says that this practice violates a competition clause. And now, it is forcing the beach club licenses to be reallocated through a fair bidding process. The operators are not happy, as The World's Sarah Birnbaum reports.

Battle over Italy's beaches

In 2020, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed the Doha Agreement. It was an agreement that would hopefully bring peace to Afghanistan. Ali Latifi is a journalist born in Kabul and raised in California. He saw the signing ceremony on TV as President Ghani took the stage along with leaders of the Taliban and the US. He went back to Afghanistan, as a journalist, in 2001. Latifi tells Jenn Williams, host of "The Negotiators" podcast, how he remained skeptical of the agreement.

In 2020, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed the Doha Agreement. It was an agreement that would hopefully bring peace to Afghanistan. Ali Latifi is a journalist born in Kabul and raised in California. He saw the signing ceremony on TV as President Ghani took the stage along with leaders of the Taliban and the US. He went back to Afghanistan, as a journalist, in 2001. Latifi tells Jenn Williams, host of "The Negotiators" podcast, how he remained skeptical of the agreement.

'I knew how corrupt they were'

US quarters depicting Cuban American singer Celia Cruz have been released and are now in circulation. The image is of her face, microphone in hand singing. Cruz died in 2003. The World's Marco Werman brings us the story.

US quarters depicting Cuban American singer Celia Cruz have been released and are now in circulation. The image is of her face, microphone in hand singing. Cruz died in 2003. The World's Marco Werman brings us the story.

Celia Cruz 1st Afro Latina on US quarter

Guerilla artist Banksy has created new bold artworks on buildings in neighborhoods around London each day for more than a week. Host Marco Werman describes the menagerie of wild animal art, from pelicans eating fish atop a restaurant storefront to the latest eye-fooling image — a gorilla, painted upon a metal roll-up door, appearing to rip open an entrance to the London Zoo.

Guerilla artist Banksy has created new bold artworks on buildings in neighborhoods around London each day for more than a week. Host Marco Werman describes the menagerie of wild animal art, from pelicans eating fish atop a restaurant storefront to the latest eye-fooling image — a gorilla, painted upon a metal roll-up door, appearing to rip open an entrance to the London Zoo.

Banksy animals capture Londoners' attention

Ukraine's president and military are acknowledging their forces have invaded Russia's Kursk region and seized approximately 1,000 square kilometers of territory. Now, Ukrainian military sources say Russia is pulling some units out of eastern Ukraine to defend against the invasion in southern Russia. Host Marco Werman speaks with Wall Street Journal reporter Yaroslav Trofimov about what's happening on the ground inside of Kursk and how Russian officials and citizens are reacting to the incursion.

Ukraine's president and military are acknowledging their forces have invaded Russia's Kursk region and seized approximately 1,000 square kilometers of territory. Now, Ukrainian military sources say Russia is pulling some units out of eastern Ukraine to defend against the invasion in southern Russia. Host Marco Werman speaks with Wall Street Journal reporter Yaroslav Trofimov about what's happening on the ground inside of Kursk and how Russian officials and citizens are reacting to the incursion.

Ukraine acknowledges incursion into Russian Kursk region

The IOC and France gained ground in reducing the effects of the Olympics on the environment by building fewer new facilities, foregoing air conditioning and creating a greener Olympics Village. But there's more to be done. Globally, if climate change isn't controlled, the future of the Olympics themselves could be in jeopardy. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

The IOC and France gained ground in reducing the effects of the Olympics on the environment by building fewer new facilities, foregoing air conditioning and creating a greener Olympics Village. But there's more to be done. Globally, if climate change isn't controlled, the future of the Olympics themselves could be in jeopardy. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.