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.

By tomorrow, we'll know who will be in the finals on the biggest soccer stage — the World Cup. Men's soccer has always gotten plenty of attention and money, but women's soccer is reportedly the fastest growing game globally, with millions of young girls joining for play on the pitch — and scrambling for merch. From our partners at Deutsche Welle, DW, Inside Europe's Lars Bevanger reports on a company in Manchester, England, that's helping to meet the growing demand.

By tomorrow, we'll know who will be in the finals on the biggest soccer stage — the World Cup. Men's soccer has always gotten plenty of attention and money, but women's soccer is reportedly the fastest growing game globally, with millions of young girls joining for play on the pitch — and scrambling for merch. From our partners at Deutsche Welle, DW, Inside Europe's Lars Bevanger reports on a company in Manchester, England, that's helping to meet the growing demand.

Men's soccer is big during the World Cup, but women's soccer merch reigns supreme

A new Anthropic study of its flagship AI model, Claude, shows the large language model's values shift depending on which language it’s speaking. For example, Claude is frank when it speaks Dutch, shows more emotional warmth in Hindi and is especially deferential in Arabic. Princeton University’s Zeynep Tufecki tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler that there’s a lot more at stake than styles of speech.

A new Anthropic study of its flagship AI model, Claude, shows the large language model's values shift depending on which language it’s speaking. For example, Claude is frank when it speaks Dutch, shows more emotional warmth in Hindi and is especially deferential in Arabic. Princeton University’s Zeynep Tufecki tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler that there’s a lot more at stake than styles of speech.

The hidden values behind a chatbot's language differences

The lights are going out at South Africa’s largest diamond mine. De Beers says it’s stopping production at its Venetia mine for two years. That facility produces some 40% of the country’s diamond output and employs thousands of people. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have more.

The lights are going out at South Africa’s largest diamond mine. De Beers says it’s stopping production at its Venetia mine for two years. That facility produces some 40% of the country’s diamond output and employs thousands of people. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have more.

Famous South African diamond mine shuts down

One of the many grievances going around these days regarding the World Cup is that FIFA is "rigging" the tournament to favor Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with soccer aficionado Anders Kelto about this and the state of the 2026 World Cup.

One of the many grievances going around these days regarding the World Cup is that FIFA is "rigging" the tournament to favor Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with soccer aficionado Anders Kelto about this and the state of the 2026 World Cup.

Fans worldwide decry the refereeing at this year's World Cup

On the first day of the US and Israel’s war on Iran, a tragedy hit the southern Iranian city of Minab. Missiles hit a school, killing about 120 students, as well as some of their teachers. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports on a new music video released by two Iranian artists, who say they want the stories of these children to be remembered.

On the first day of the US and Israel’s war on Iran, a tragedy hit the southern Iranian city of Minab. Missiles hit a school, killing about 120 students, as well as some of their teachers. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports on a new music video released by two Iranian artists, who say they want the stories of these children to be remembered.

Iranian artists remember school children killed in US-Israeli war on Iran

If you keep putting out wildfires but don't manage a forest, the undergrowth and vegetation only continue to grow, becoming fuel for future mega-fires that can burn beyond human control. Portugal is learning that, and hoping to shift more emphasis from fire suppression to prevention — namely, improving how forests are managed so that they'll burn less. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Portugal.

If you keep putting out wildfires but don't manage a forest, the undergrowth and vegetation only continue to grow, becoming fuel for future mega-fires that can burn beyond human control. Portugal is learning that, and hoping to shift more emphasis from fire suppression to prevention — namely, improving how forests are managed so that they'll burn less. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Portugal.

Portugal, good at firefighting, now faces a 'fire paradox'

Given Bob Marley's continued popularity around the globe, it's little surprise to hear locals in the Solomon Islands have been inspired to play one of his hits on PVC pipes. Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler take a listen.

Given Bob Marley's continued popularity around the globe, it's little surprise to hear locals in the Solomon Islands have been inspired to play one of his hits on PVC pipes. Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler take a listen.

The Solomon Islands puts a new twist on Bob Marley

Los Angeles' long-running Cambodian psychedelic rock group Dengue Fever released its sixth full-length album, "Ting Mong," nearly three years ago. It was the group's first new release in eight years, and showcased the band in a more relaxed, reflective mode than previous records — a perfect platform for the nimble voice of lead singer Chhom Nimol. As part of the series and podcast Movement, Meklit Hadero talked with Nimol about how she developed that unique voice, singing with her family in a refugee camp and later on Cambodia's first televised music competition.This story originally aired on Oct. 26, 2023.

Los Angeles' long-running Cambodian psychedelic rock group Dengue Fever released its sixth full-length album, "Ting Mong," nearly three years ago. It was the group's first new release in eight years, and showcased the band in a more relaxed, reflective mode than previous records — a perfect platform for the nimble voice of lead singer Chhom Nimol. As part of the series and podcast Movement, Meklit Hadero talked with Nimol about how she developed that unique voice, singing with her family in a refugee camp and later on Cambodia's first televised music competition.
This story originally aired on Oct. 26, 2023.

Dengue Fever singer Chhom Nimol on developing her voice

When the earliest form of caste was created in ancient India, it had roots in religion. In the 21st century, it lives on as a secular institution that cuts across race, gender, sexuality and class. Suraj Yengde is one of the world's leading experts in the study of caste. He joins Host Marco Werman to discuss why caste is so tricky, and how it reproduces itself in Indian diaspora communities worldwide.

When the earliest form of caste was created in ancient India, it had roots in religion. In the 21st century, it lives on as a secular institution that cuts across race, gender, sexuality and class. Suraj Yengde is one of the world's leading experts in the study of caste. He joins Host Marco Werman to discuss why caste is so tricky, and how it reproduces itself in Indian diaspora communities worldwide.

How India's caste system persists across the globe

One of the strongest storms so far this year, Typhoon Bavi, slammed into China over the weekend.  Cities along its eastern coast were battered by fierce winds and driving rain. Bavi has now moved inland, where it's been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, but in the days when it was rated as Category 5, it left a trail of destruction across the Western Pacific. Ashish Valentine reports from Taipei.

One of the strongest storms so far this year, Typhoon Bavi, slammed into China over the weekend. 
Cities along its eastern coast were battered by fierce winds and driving rain. Bavi has now moved inland, where it's been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, but in the days when it was rated as Category 5, it left a trail of destruction across the Western Pacific. Ashish Valentine reports from Taipei.

China and Taiwan hit by Typhoon Bavi

Spain pledged to be ready for fires this summer after a record number struck last year. But its approach is mostly more of the same: spending to fight, instead of prevent, the fires. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.

Spain pledged to be ready for fires this summer after a record number struck last year. But its approach is mostly more of the same: spending to fight, instead of prevent, the fires. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.

Spain, lacking forest management, bets on suppression to handle wildfires

After two powerful earthquakes devastated Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, anger is growing in some of the hardest-hit communities. Survivors in La Guaira are asking why so many buildings collapsed — including public housing built under Hugo Chávez, the country's late socialist president. Residents say the homes were rushed and unsafe; engineers say the answer is more complicated. The World's Tibisay Zea reports from La Guaira, Venezuela.

After two powerful earthquakes devastated Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, anger is growing in some of the hardest-hit communities. Survivors in La Guaira are asking why so many buildings collapsed — including public housing built under Hugo Chávez, the country's late socialist president. Residents say the homes were rushed and unsafe; engineers say the answer is more complicated. The World's Tibisay Zea reports from La Guaira, Venezuela.

After Venezuela's earthquakes, anger over public housing

US President Donald Trump has once again imposed a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, designed to prevent any ships from leaving or entering Iranian ports. Iranian scholar Kian Tajbakhsh doesn’t see the Iranian regime backing down anytime soon. Tajbakhsh tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler that Iran has long viewed itself as engaged in a Cold War with the US, and now sees itself as locked in an “end game fight” with Washington.

US President Donald Trump has once again imposed a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, designed to prevent any ships from leaving or entering Iranian ports. Iranian scholar Kian Tajbakhsh doesn’t see the Iranian regime backing down anytime soon. Tajbakhsh tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler that Iran has long viewed itself as engaged in a Cold War with the US, and now sees itself as locked in an “end game fight” with Washington.

Back to the brink in the Strait of Hormuz

Paul Salopek is a National Geographic Explorer walking from Ethiopia to South America on foot. But it's also a journalism job. That means conducting interviews, taking photos and videos, and nonstop note-taking and writing. He joins Carolyn Beeler to peel back the curtain on the technology that has kept him connected for the past 13 years, even when he is days of travel away from the nearest outlet or wi-fi signal.

Paul Salopek is a National Geographic Explorer walking from Ethiopia to South America on foot. But it's also a journalism job. That means conducting interviews, taking photos and videos, and nonstop note-taking and writing. He joins Carolyn Beeler to peel back the curtain on the technology that has kept him connected for the past 13 years, even when he is days of travel away from the nearest outlet or wi-fi signal.

What tech powers a global walk?

Typhoon Bavi, which hit Guam and surrounding islands earlier this week, is on its way toward Taiwan, several Japanese islands, and then to mainland China. Its approach comes just days after another storm, Maysak, caused flooding and deaths in southern China. Carolyn Beeler reports the latest.

Typhoon Bavi, which hit Guam and surrounding islands earlier this week, is on its way toward Taiwan, several Japanese islands, and then to mainland China. Its approach comes just days after another storm, Maysak, caused flooding and deaths in southern China. Carolyn Beeler reports the latest.

Typhoon Bavi heads toward Taiwan

As the World Cup reaches its final week, the spotlight is not only on the teams chasing a place in the semifinals but also on FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Elected in 2016 on a promise to restore FIFA's reputation after years of scandal, Infantino is once again facing questions about his leadership. This week's decision to suspend a player's red card after a phone call with President Donald Trump has prompted fresh scrutiny of the FIFA president. The World's Orla Barry reports.

As the World Cup reaches its final week, the spotlight is not only on the teams chasing a place in the semifinals but also on FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Elected in 2016 on a promise to restore FIFA's reputation after years of scandal, Infantino is once again facing questions about his leadership. This week's decision to suspend a player's red card after a phone call with President Donald Trump has prompted fresh scrutiny of the FIFA president. The World's Orla Barry reports.

Questions grow over FIFA’s president as the World Cup nears its finale

The famed Bayeux Tapestry is on English soil for the first time in centuries. The artifact was transported from France to Britain in the dead of night with maximum security. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with author David Musgrove about the significance of this moment.

The famed Bayeux Tapestry is on English soil for the first time in centuries. The artifact was transported from France to Britain in the dead of night with maximum security. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with author David Musgrove about the significance of this moment.

The Bayeux Tapestry is in England

A massive wildfire is raging in southern Spain. Authorities in the region of Almería say at least twelve people have been killed, and many more are still missing. Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze. The World’s Gerry Hadden joins us from central Portugal, where he is currently reporting for a series on fire risk and prevention across the Iberian Peninsula.

A massive wildfire is raging in southern Spain. Authorities in the region of Almería say at least twelve people have been killed, and many more are still missing. Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze. The World’s Gerry Hadden joins us from central Portugal, where he is currently reporting for a series on fire risk and prevention across the Iberian Peninsula.

Wildfire tragedy in Spain

This week, Hamas announced that it is stepping back from governing Gaza and is ready to hand day-to-day operations to a committee of technocrats. That would mark the end of nearly two decades of Hamas rule. But questions around the disarmament of the group remain. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

This week, Hamas announced that it is stepping back from governing Gaza and is ready to hand day-to-day operations to a committee of technocrats. That would mark the end of nearly two decades of Hamas rule. But questions around the disarmament of the group remain. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

Hamas says it’s stepping away from governance of Gaza

After nearly a week of ceremonies in Iran and Iraq, the body of former Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is being returned to his hometown of Mashhad for burial. Khamenei was killed by US and Israeli forces, along with several family members, on the first day of the war on February 28. From Mashhad, Syed Shahriyar reports.

After nearly a week of ceremonies in Iran and Iraq, the body of former Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is being returned to his hometown of Mashhad for burial. Khamenei was killed by US and Israeli forces, along with several family members, on the first day of the war on February 28. From Mashhad, Syed Shahriyar reports.

Iran’s Supreme Leader is buried in his hometown

The death of a newlywed woman in Delhi last weekend is among a string of cases this year rekindling public discussion in India about dowry deaths. Thousands of women are reportedly killed in India every year in dowry-related disputes despite laws on the books intended to penalize this violence. The World's Carolyn Beeler learns more from Kriti Kapila, an anthropologist at King’s College London, who has studied this phenomenon.

The death of a newlywed woman in Delhi last weekend is among a string of cases this year rekindling public discussion in India about dowry deaths. Thousands of women are reportedly killed in India every year in dowry-related disputes despite laws on the books intended to penalize this violence. The World's Carolyn Beeler learns more from Kriti Kapila, an anthropologist at King’s College London, who has studied this phenomenon.

Despite policy change, dowry deaths persist in India

For the past four years, Matariki, the Māori New Year, has been an official holiday in New Zealand. Māori poet Tayi Tibble speaks with The World’s Carolyn Beeler about the day's importance to her and why some in the Pacific nation are uncomfortable with the increasing visibility of Māori culture.

For the past four years, Matariki, the Māori New Year, has been an official holiday in New Zealand. Māori poet Tayi Tibble speaks with The World’s Carolyn Beeler about the day's importance to her and why some in the Pacific nation are uncomfortable with the increasing visibility of Māori culture.

Māori New Year takes on new significance in New Zealand

After Venezuela’s deadly earthquakes, many international rescue teams have left as the window for finding survivors narrows. But Los Topos Aztecas — a Mexican legendary volunteer rescue brigade — says it is staying until no longer needed. Born after Mexico City’s 1985 earthquake, the group is known for crawling into collapsed buildings by hand. The World’s Tibisay Zea meets its 80-year-old leader in La Guaira, Venezuela.

After Venezuela’s deadly earthquakes, many international rescue teams have left as the window for finding survivors narrows. But Los Topos Aztecas — a Mexican legendary volunteer rescue brigade — says it is staying until no longer needed. Born after Mexico City’s 1985 earthquake, the group is known for crawling into collapsed buildings by hand. The World’s Tibisay Zea meets its 80-year-old leader in La Guaira, Venezuela.

Meet ‘Los Topos,’ Mexico’s legendary brigade now working in Venezuela

Health workers on the frontline of the Ebola outbreak are on strike. Complaints include a lack of protective equipment and delayed payment. Some in the hardest-hit province say they have not been paid since May. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with Christian Happi, a molecular biologist, about the strike and how it might affect efforts to contain the outbreak.

Health workers on the frontline of the Ebola outbreak are on strike. Complaints include a lack of protective equipment and delayed payment. Some in the hardest-hit province say they have not been paid since May. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with Christian Happi, a molecular biologist, about the strike and how it might affect efforts to contain the outbreak.

Healthcare workers fighting Ebola speak out

In Uganda, scientists have found a new use for catnip: mosquito repellent. A new study presented at the Society for Experimental Biology's annual conference shows that lotion made with nepetalactone, the chemical in catnip that drives cats wild, is just as effective at preventing mosquito bites as DEET-based bug spray. That's welcome news in rural Uganda, where commercial bug sprays are hard to find and catnip-based lotions can be produced

In Uganda, scientists have found a new use for catnip: mosquito repellent. A new study presented at the Society for Experimental Biology's annual conference shows that lotion made with nepetalactone, the chemical in catnip that drives cats wild, is just as effective at preventing mosquito bites as DEET-based bug spray. That's welcome news in rural Uganda, where commercial bug sprays are hard to find and catnip-based lotions can be produced

The chemical that cats love and mosquitoes hate

Reading Lolita in Tehran, the best-selling memoir by Azar Nafisi, came out in 2003. It told the story of how Nafisi and seven other women read the Western canon together in defiance of the law, even as the Iranian regime banned those materials. Now it's a movie directed by Eran Riklis. The two join Host Marco Werman for a conversation about their collaboration.

Reading Lolita in Tehran, the best-selling memoir by Azar Nafisi, came out in 2003. It told the story of how Nafisi and seven other women read the Western canon together in defiance of the law, even as the Iranian regime banned those materials. Now it's a movie directed by Eran Riklis. The two join Host Marco Werman for a conversation about their collaboration.

Hit novel ‘Reading Lolita in Theran’ is now a movie, ten years later

If you’re a parent of young children who get screen time, then you might be surprised to learn there’s a decent chance your kids have watched content from the small Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan. A group of Kyrgyz content creators who call themselves D Billions has produced a series of viral, English-language <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pifBpLAun6U">kids' music videos</a> on YouTube that teach basics like the ABCs, which have received more than 49 billion views — that's more than Taylor Swift's videos. Reporter Levi Bridges takes a look at how they do it.

If you’re a parent of young children who get screen time, then you might be surprised to learn there’s a decent chance your kids have watched content from the small Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan. A group of Kyrgyz content creators who call themselves D Billions has produced a series of viral, English-language kids' music videos on YouTube that teach basics like the ABCs, which have received more than 49 billion views — that's more than Taylor Swift's videos. Reporter Levi Bridges takes a look at how they do it.

Kyrgyzstan dominates YouTube

We listen to a track from Marlon Williams. She's New Zealand's hottest Māori singer right now, and she's accompanied on the track by Lorde, New Zealand's best-known artist globally. The World's Marco Werman has more.

We listen to a track from Marlon Williams. She's New Zealand's hottest Māori singer right now, and she's accompanied on the track by Lorde, New Zealand's best-known artist globally. The World's Marco Werman has more.

The Māori musician of the moment

President Trump says the temporary deal with Iran “is over”. His comments follow a series of US strikes on Iran last night. Iran had reportedly attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz because they hadn’t coordinated their passage through the waterway. The World’s Shirin Jaafari speaks with Host Marco Werman about the latest.

President Trump says the temporary deal with Iran “is over”. His comments follow a series of US strikes on Iran last night. Iran had reportedly attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz because they hadn’t coordinated their passage through the waterway. The World’s Shirin Jaafari speaks with Host Marco Werman about the latest.

New round of US attacks on Iran leaves peace agreement in limbo

From the Iran war to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, events this year have highlighted the way nations use the global energy trade as another weapon of war. To learn more, The World's Marco Werman speaks with Edward Fishman, an expert on economic statecraft at The Council on Foreign Relations.

From the Iran war to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, events this year have highlighted the way nations use the global energy trade as another weapon of war. To learn more, The World's Marco Werman speaks with Edward Fishman, an expert on economic statecraft at The Council on Foreign Relations.