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.

Heng Guan is a Chinese citizen from central China. In 2020, he read about mass detentions and other human rights abuses against Uyghurs in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang, and he decided to go see for himself. The video he put on social media in 2021 provided valuable confirmation of widespread human rights abuses in Xinjiang, which the US government said amounted to genocide that very same year. Now, Guan is in ICE detention, facing the possibility of being deported to Uganda. Human rights advocates say this would put Guan in grave danger and that his case for asylum is a textbook example of why the US created this pathway to citizenship in the first place. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

Heng Guan is a Chinese citizen from central China. In 2020, he read about mass detentions and other human rights abuses against Uyghurs in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang, and he decided to go see for himself. The video he put on social media in 2021 provided valuable confirmation of widespread human rights abuses in Xinjiang, which the US government said amounted to genocide that very same year. Now, Guan is in ICE detention, facing the possibility of being deported to Uganda. Human rights advocates say this would put Guan in grave danger and that his case for asylum is a textbook example of why the US created this pathway to citizenship in the first place. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

Chinese man documenting rights abuses in China detained by ICE, may be deported to Uganda

In Denmark, there seems to be a porridge for every occasion. A quintessential part of the local Christmas diet is a rice porridge called risengrød. The dish hearkens back to a time when rice was a luxury in the Scandinavian country, says restaurateur Lasse Andersen. Last Christmas, Andersen took The World's Joshua Coe behind the counter at one of his porridge bars in Copenhagen to show him how to cook this Danish classic.This story originally aired on Dec. 23, 2024.

In Denmark, there seems to be a porridge for every occasion. A quintessential part of the local Christmas diet is a rice porridge called risengrød. The dish hearkens back to a time when rice was a luxury in the Scandinavian country, says restaurateur Lasse Andersen. Last Christmas, Andersen took The World's Joshua Coe behind the counter at one of his porridge bars in Copenhagen to show him how to cook this Danish classic.
This story originally aired on Dec. 23, 2024.

December is rice porridge and hygge season in Denmark

Residents of the Malian capital, Bamako, have seen more gas reaching the pumps recently, after a weeks-long blockade by an al Qaeda-affiliated group called JNIM had brought the city to a near stand-still. But the threat to Mali's military junta continues, as The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

Residents of the Malian capital, Bamako, have seen more gas reaching the pumps recently, after a weeks-long blockade by an al Qaeda-affiliated group called JNIM had brought the city to a near stand-still. But the threat to Mali's military junta continues, as The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

Unease in Mali even as fuel blockade of capital loosens

Eleven members of the Nigerian Air Force were released from detention yesterday in Burkina Faso, in West Africa. Their aircraft made an emergency landing there more than a week ago, and a Nigerian delegation had to negotiate with Burkina Faso's military junta to get the personnel released. Host Marco Werman has more.

Eleven members of the Nigerian Air Force were released from detention yesterday in Burkina Faso, in West Africa. Their aircraft made an emergency landing there more than a week ago, and a Nigerian delegation had to negotiate with Burkina Faso's military junta to get the personnel released. Host Marco Werman has more.

Nigerian Air Force crew released from detention in Burkina Faso

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a $35 billion natural gas deal with Egypt. American company Chevron is part of the deal and it is the largest in Israel's history. It comes at a time when there's a tenuous ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza. Long before the current conflict in Gaza, Israeli strikes on infrastructure, control over fuel and precarious grid access made electricity a flashpoint. From the podcast Lawless Planet, Zach Goldbaum reports on how energy became another weapon of war and what it means when power can be switched off at a moment's notice.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a $35 billion natural gas deal with Egypt. American company Chevron is part of the deal and it is the largest in Israel's history. It comes at a time when there's a tenuous ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza. Long before the current conflict in Gaza, Israeli strikes on infrastructure, control over fuel and precarious grid access made electricity a flashpoint. From the podcast Lawless Planet, Zach Goldbaum reports on how energy became another weapon of war and what it means when power can be switched off at a moment's notice.

The history of getting power to Palestinians in Gaza

From the Great Lakes in the US to the glacial-melt waters of Switzerland, quagga mussels have wreaked havoc on local ecosystems. Now, they've been reported in Northern Ireland. Bastiaan Ibelings is a microbial ecologist at the University of Geneva. He tells The World's Host Marco Werman that the pesky mollusks have transformed Lake Geneva over the past decade. He joins Marco from a small village near Martigny, Switzerland.

From the Great Lakes in the US to the glacial-melt waters of Switzerland, quagga mussels have wreaked havoc on local ecosystems. Now, they've been reported in Northern Ireland. Bastiaan Ibelings is a microbial ecologist at the University of Geneva. He tells The World's Host Marco Werman that the pesky mollusks have transformed Lake Geneva over the past decade. He joins Marco from a small village near Martigny, Switzerland.

Invasive quagga clams found in Northern Ireland already wreaking havoc in Swiss lake

European leaders are locked in talks in Brussels over how the EU will fund future support for Ukraine, with the outcome of the summit seen as critical to Kyiv’s ability to sustain its war effort. One of the most divisive issues is whether to use billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help finance Ukraine’s military and economic needs. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joins Host Marco Werman with the latest.

European leaders are locked in talks in Brussels over how the EU will fund future support for Ukraine, with the outcome of the summit seen as critical to Kyiv’s ability to sustain its war effort. One of the most divisive issues is whether to use billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help finance Ukraine’s military and economic needs. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joins Host Marco Werman with the latest.

Europe debates tapping Russian assets as Ukraine aid hangs in balance

December is all about celebrations in much of the world, but in Ghana, it’s on a whole different level. Welcome to Detty December. It’s back-to-back parties, beach raves and unforgettable moments. Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman reported from the beaches of Ghana’s capital Accra last December.

December is all about celebrations in much of the world, but in Ghana, it’s on a whole different level. Welcome to Detty December. It’s back-to-back parties, beach raves and unforgettable moments. Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman reported from the beaches of Ghana’s capital Accra last December.

Detty December is Ghana's global party

After more than a year of street protests against the Guggenheim’s plan to “bring art into nature,” the museum’s board of trustees voted last night to kill the project. “Guggenheim Urdaibai” would have seen buildings, walkways and installations go up inside one of northern Spain’s most important migratory bird stopover points. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

After more than a year of street protests against the Guggenheim’s plan to “bring art into nature,” the museum’s board of trustees voted last night to kill the project. “Guggenheim Urdaibai” would have seen buildings, walkways and installations go up inside one of northern Spain’s most important migratory bird stopover points. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

Activists stop Spanish Guggenheim from building in bird sanctuary

In the last of a three-part series about a software tool used to secretly track people, reporter Michael Montgomery explains what the company First Wap has been up to over the past 10 years. Its software tool runs on a vast trove of data that includes information about lots of regular people, but that data drops off in 2015. His reporting stems from a collaboration between Reveal, Lighthouse Reports and 12 other newsrooms around the globe.

In the last of a three-part series about a software tool used to secretly track people, reporter Michael Montgomery explains what the company First Wap has been up to over the past 10 years. Its software tool runs on a vast trove of data that includes information about lots of regular people, but that data drops off in 2015. His reporting stems from a collaboration between Reveal, Lighthouse Reports and 12 other newsrooms around the globe.

Undercover investigation reveals little-known software tool used for tracking ordinary people

Pads and tampons are prohibitively expensive in Pakistan, where the taxes and duties on the products can be up to 40% of the cost. They are even excluded from the list of essential goods that are exempt from taxes, such as milk and cheese. Mahnoor Omer is a lawyer taking the government to court over the taxes. She speaks with The World's Host Carolyn Beeler from Islamabad.

Pads and tampons are prohibitively expensive in Pakistan, where the taxes and duties on the products can be up to 40% of the cost. They are even excluded from the list of essential goods that are exempt from taxes, such as milk and cheese. Mahnoor Omer is a lawyer taking the government to court over the taxes. She speaks with The World's Host Carolyn Beeler from Islamabad.

Lawyer takes Pakistan government to court over the price of pads and tampons

In Yemen, the forces of The Transitional Council said they were moving to take yet another southern province this week. In a civil war that has dragged on for over a decade, the separatist faction backed by the United Arab Emirates has seized much of Yemen's south, and has defied Saudi Arabia-led efforts to deescalate. Host Marco Werman learns more from Abdulghani Al-Iryani. He's a senior researcher with the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies.

In Yemen, the forces of The Transitional Council said they were moving to take yet another southern province this week. In a civil war that has dragged on for over a decade, the separatist faction backed by the United Arab Emirates has seized much of Yemen's south, and has defied Saudi Arabia-led efforts to deescalate. Host Marco Werman learns more from Abdulghani Al-Iryani. He's a senior researcher with the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies.

UAE-backed separatists control more and more of Yemen's south

Some people go to thrift stores primarily to find a good deal. Other people go to find older, vintage items they wouldn’t find anywhere else. But there’s no way anyone expected to find something quite this old at Thrifty Boutique in Chilliwack, British Columbia, about 60 miles outside of Vancouver in Canada. The World's Bianca Hillier reports on the possibly ancient artifacts.

Some people go to thrift stores primarily to find a good deal. Other people go to find older, vintage items they wouldn’t find anywhere else. But there’s no way anyone expected to find something quite this old at Thrifty Boutique in Chilliwack, British Columbia, about 60 miles outside of Vancouver in Canada. The World's Bianca Hillier reports on the possibly ancient artifacts.

Thrift store find leads to new college course

Skate Canada, the national governing body for figure skating in the country, says it will no longer hold major events in Alberta, after the province passed legislation banning transgender athletes in women's sports. "Skate Canada has determined that we are unable to host events in the province while maintaining our national standards for safe and inclusive sport," it said in a statement. Alberta officials criticized the decision, saying they support the province's "Fairness and Safety in Sport Act," also known as Bill 29, which came into effect on Sept. 1. The legislation permits only athletes assigned female at birth to compete in women’s sports.

Skate Canada, the national governing body for figure skating in the country, says it will no longer hold major events in Alberta, after the province passed legislation banning transgender athletes in women's sports. "Skate Canada has determined that we are unable to host events in the province while maintaining our national standards for safe and inclusive sport," it said in a statement. Alberta officials criticized the decision, saying they support the province's "Fairness and Safety in Sport Act," also known as Bill 29, which came into effect on Sept. 1. The legislation permits only athletes assigned female at birth to compete in women’s sports.

Canadian figure skating will avoid Alberta for major events over transgender law

Most of the population in Gaza is living in tents, because most buildings in the Palestinian enclave were damaged or destroyed during two years of war with Israel. In recent days, powerful winds and heavy rains have damaged tent encampments and brought some severe flooding. Several buildings have collapsed. One baby froze to death. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the details.

Most of the population in Gaza is living in tents, because most buildings in the Palestinian enclave were damaged or destroyed during two years of war with Israel. In recent days, powerful winds and heavy rains have damaged tent encampments and brought some severe flooding. Several buildings have collapsed. One baby froze to death. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the details.

Heavy winds, rain and cold are making life dangerous for Palestinians in Gaza

EU-US relations remain tense after Washington’s new national security strategy slammed the European Union’s migration policies, warning that the bloc risks “civilizational erasure.” Most European leaders dismissed the critique. One warning, though, did strike a chord with some in the EU: that excessive regulation is holding back the bloc’s economy. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry has more.

EU-US relations remain tense after Washington’s new national security strategy slammed the European Union’s migration policies, warning that the bloc risks “civilizational erasure.” Most European leaders dismissed the critique. One warning, though, did strike a chord with some in the EU: that excessive regulation is holding back the bloc’s economy. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry has more.

Too much regulation? US warning resonates in Europe

Two US service members were killed in an attack in Syria over the weekend. This is the first time American forces have been killed in the country since the new government took control a year ago. President Donald Trump said the attacker was an ISIS member. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports that the news has raised questions about the future of American forces in Syria.

Two US service members were killed in an attack in Syria over the weekend. This is the first time American forces have been killed in the country since the new government took control a year ago. President Donald Trump said the attacker was an ISIS member. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports that the news has raised questions about the future of American forces in Syria.

Killing of US service members in Syria raises questions about the future of US presence

Baker and writer Laurel Kratochvila says that when it comes to Polish baking, it's best when the food is "good, good, not too sweet." That phrase inspired the title of her new cookbook, "Dobre Dobre: Baking from Poland and Beyond." Kratochvila spoke to host Carolyn Beeler earlier in the fall.This story originally aired on Oct. 23, 2025.

Baker and writer Laurel Kratochvila says that when it comes to Polish baking, it's best when the food is "good, good, not too sweet." That phrase inspired the title of her new cookbook, "Dobre Dobre: Baking from Poland and Beyond." Kratochvila spoke to host Carolyn Beeler earlier in the fall.
This story originally aired on Oct. 23, 2025.

Polish baking that's 'dobre, dobre,' — not too sweet

The European Union’s ambitious plans to pivot to electric vehicles may be unraveling. Brussels has announced it will backtrack on its 2035 combustion engine ban, and allow carmakers to continue producing a small number of petrol and diesel vehicles. Ilaria Mazzocco, a senior fellow focusing on energy and sustainability at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), talks with Host Carolyn Beeler about the decision and the future of the global EV market.

The European Union’s ambitious plans to pivot to electric vehicles may be unraveling. Brussels has announced it will backtrack on its 2035 combustion engine ban, and allow carmakers to continue producing a small number of petrol and diesel vehicles. Ilaria Mazzocco, a senior fellow focusing on energy and sustainability at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), talks with Host Carolyn Beeler about the decision and the future of the global EV market.

European Union rethinks EV mandate

Prosecutors in Serbia have charged a government minister there with abuse of office and falsifying of documents, in an apparent attempt to pave the way for a real estate project. That high-rise development is meant to be financed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler explain the charges, and the connections.

Prosecutors in Serbia have charged a government minister there with abuse of office and falsifying of documents, in an apparent attempt to pave the way for a real estate project. That high-rise development is meant to be financed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler explain the charges, and the connections.

Corruption charges in Serbia construction deal

Lighthouse Reports stumbled on a new, secret software being used to track people all over the world. It is easy to understand why some of them were being surveilled — journalists, politicians, the rich and famous. But sometimes, the software has been used by individuals to track and harass random people. Reveal's Michael Montgomery has the second story in our three-part series.

Lighthouse Reports stumbled on a new, secret software being used to track people all over the world. It is easy to understand why some of them were being surveilled — journalists, politicians, the rich and famous. But sometimes, the software has been used by individuals to track and harass random people. Reveal's Michael Montgomery has the second story in our three-part series.

Secret software tracks people everywhere for any reason

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman review global headlines flying just under the radar.

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman review global headlines flying just under the radar.

Things you might have missed

The 1994 sinking of the ferry Estonia is up there with the Titanic as one of the worst maritime disasters in history. This week, a Swedish-Estonian-Finnish investigative team said the shipwreck, which led to the deaths of more than 800 people, was caused by a structural failure. Their report is a bid to put to rest 30 years of controversy surrounding the cause of the sinking, as Kristjan Tabri tells Host Marco Werman. He's a professor of marine technology at the Tallinn University of Technology.

The 1994 sinking of the ferry Estonia is up there with the Titanic as one of the worst maritime disasters in history. This week, a Swedish-Estonian-Finnish investigative team said the shipwreck, which led to the deaths of more than 800 people, was caused by a structural failure. Their report is a bid to put to rest 30 years of controversy surrounding the cause of the sinking, as Kristjan Tabri tells Host Marco Werman. He's a professor of marine technology at the Tallinn University of Technology.

30 years after one of Europe's worst maritime disasters, alternative theories persist

Australia's Jewish community is reeling from a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Reporter Daniel Lo Surdo of the Sydney Morning Herald has been covering the story from the scene of the massacre. He speaks with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about calls for updates to gun laws, as well as rising extremism in Australia.

Australia's Jewish community is reeling from a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Reporter Daniel Lo Surdo of the Sydney Morning Herald has been covering the story from the scene of the massacre. He speaks with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about calls for updates to gun laws, as well as rising extremism in Australia.

Shock and mourning in Australia after Hanukkah festival shooting

Abandoned parts of rural Spain now have a musical champion: an up-tempo trio called The Leeches of Guadiana. The young musicians sing the praises of small-town life, and call for its revival. As The World's Gerry Hadden reports, the band has packed village festivals and big plazas this year.

Abandoned parts of rural Spain now have a musical champion: an up-tempo trio called The Leeches of Guadiana. The young musicians sing the praises of small-town life, and call for its revival. As The World's Gerry Hadden reports, the band has packed village festivals and big plazas this year.

'Emptied Spain' gets its own band

Chileans have elected their most right-wing leader since the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet ended in 1990. José Antonio Kast won a runoff election with more than 58% of the vote. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Rossana Castiglioni, political scientist at Diego Portales University.

Chileans have elected their most right-wing leader since the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet ended in 1990. José Antonio Kast won a runoff election with more than 58% of the vote. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Rossana Castiglioni, political scientist at Diego Portales University.

Chile elects far-right president

A company called First WAP makes sophisticated phone-tracking software capable of pinpointing any person in the world. The company behind the technology has tried to remain unknown. But an investigation by the radio program REVEAL along with Lighthouse Reports, found that First WAP is quietly selling this surveillance capability to companies, individuals — even the Vatican. REVEAL's Michael Montgomery has the story.

A company called First WAP makes sophisticated phone-tracking software capable of pinpointing any person in the world. The company behind the technology has tried to remain unknown. But an investigation by the radio program REVEAL along with Lighthouse Reports, found that First WAP is quietly selling this surveillance capability to companies, individuals — even the Vatican. REVEAL's Michael Montgomery has the story.

New software can track just about anybody

Since the 16th century, people have interpreted fortunes in the dregs of Turkish coffee. But a new generation is making the practice their own. The World's Durrie Bouscaren brought us the story from Istanbul.This story originally aired on Oct. 11, 2024.

Since the 16th century, people have interpreted fortunes in the dregs of Turkish coffee. But a new generation is making the practice their own. The World's Durrie Bouscaren brought us the story from Istanbul.
This story originally aired on Oct. 11, 2024.

In Turkey, young people read their fortunes by looking inside coffee cups

Rokia Koné recorded the song N’yanyan in one take, on a night when the world around her was in upheaval. It was August of 2020, and there was a coup d'etat in Mali. She found solace in the words, "Things may be bad now, but it's only a moment in time." Host Carolyn Beeler has more.This story originally aired on Nov. 29, 2021.

Rokia Koné recorded the song N’yanyan in one take, on a night when the world around her was in upheaval. It was August of 2020, and there was a coup d'etat in Mali. She found solace in the words, "Things may be bad now, but it's only a moment in time." Host Carolyn Beeler has more.
This story originally aired on Nov. 29, 2021.

A musical message of hope from Mali's Rokia Koné

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has been found guilty on charges of conspiracy after a lengthy trial widely viewed as a sham. Lai has been in detention for over five years already, during which time his health has drastically declined. He now awaits sentencing. Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has been found guilty on charges of conspiracy after a lengthy trial widely viewed as a sham. Lai has been in detention for over five years already, during which time his health has drastically declined. He now awaits sentencing. Host Carolyn Beeler has more.