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.

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.

Giant tortoises return to Floreana Island in the Galapagos

Barcelona has a major pigeon problem, like a lot of cities. But the heart of the problem, say government officials, are the super-feeders: some 350 local residents who don't just toss a few breadcrumbs from a quaint park bench, but distribute bags of food that attract massive flocks of birds. From Barcelona, Gerry Hadden looks at what city officials are doing to curb the problem.This story originally aired on July 10, 2024.

Barcelona has a major pigeon problem, like a lot of cities. But the heart of the problem, say government officials, are the super-feeders: some 350 local residents who don't just toss a few breadcrumbs from a quaint park bench, but distribute bags of food that attract massive flocks of birds. From Barcelona, Gerry Hadden looks at what city officials are doing to curb the problem.
This story originally aired on July 10, 2024.

Barcelona's pigeon super-feeders

There are a lot of songs about birds: bluebirds, blackbirds, free birds. Host Carolyn Beeler introduces us to a song about a peacock. In this tune, it's a beautiful bird with an immortal soul that's carved out of wood. "El Pavo Real" is by Chancha Vía Circuito featuring the Meridian Brothers.

There are a lot of songs about birds: bluebirds, blackbirds, free birds. Host Carolyn Beeler introduces us to a song about a peacock. In this tune, it's a beautiful bird with an immortal soul that's carved out of wood. "El Pavo Real" is by Chancha Vía Circuito featuring the Meridian Brothers.

A song for a beautiful, yet angry, peacock

National Book Award Winner Ha Jin published a new coming of age novel set against the backdrop of the Tiananmen Square massacre. He joined host Carolyn Beeler in the studio to discuss "Looking for Tankman," which mirrors his own experience coming to the US as a student in 1985 and deciding to stay.This story originally aired on Oct. 28, 2025.

National Book Award Winner Ha Jin published a new coming of age novel set against the backdrop of the Tiananmen Square massacre. He joined host Carolyn Beeler in the studio to discuss "Looking for Tankman," which mirrors his own experience coming to the US as a student in 1985 and deciding to stay.
This story originally aired on Oct. 28, 2025.

Novel explores hidden history of Tiananmen Square

A cafe manager in Tokyo, Japan, has developed a particular method to help writers struggling with procrastination to complete their work — whether it's a business plan, a novel or a radio script. Thisanka Siripala paid a visit, her own script in hand, and brought us this report on how it works.This story originally aired on July 6, 2022.

A cafe manager in Tokyo, Japan, has developed a particular method to help writers struggling with procrastination to complete their work — whether it's a business plan, a novel or a radio script. Thisanka Siripala paid a visit, her own script in hand, and brought us this report on how it works.
This story originally aired on July 6, 2022.

Tokyo cafe specializes in helping procrastinators

After decades of refusing to allow a movie version of his most famous novel, the two sons of Gabriel Garcia Marquez eventually sold the rights to Netflix. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is a Colombian magical realism television series based on the 1967 novel of the same name. Sarah Birnbaum reports.This story originally aired on Dec. 11, 2024.

After decades of refusing to allow a movie version of his most famous novel, the two sons of Gabriel Garcia Marquez eventually sold the rights to Netflix. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is a Colombian magical realism television series based on the 1967 novel of the same name. Sarah Birnbaum reports.
This story originally aired on Dec. 11, 2024.

Online streaming of 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'

Last year, an independent book shop just outside the Danish capital, Copenhagen, received five big boxes of books. There was just one problem: The books were supposed to head to Nairobi, Kenya. Isabella Mousavizadeh Smith, the owner of the store Books and Company told The World's Host Carolyn Beeler that she decided to keep them, and offer a unique window into the kinds of books people a continent away are reading.This story originally aired on July 18, 2025.

Last year, an independent book shop just outside the Danish capital, Copenhagen, received five big boxes of books. There was just one problem: The books were supposed to head to Nairobi, Kenya. Isabella Mousavizadeh Smith, the owner of the store Books and Company told The World's Host Carolyn Beeler that she decided to keep them, and offer a unique window into the kinds of books people a continent away are reading.
This story originally aired on July 18, 2025.

Boxes of books destined for Kenya ended up at a Danish bookshop

Author Tim Queeney has written a book, "Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization," that delves into the ways rope has been used — for good and ill — throughout human history. As he tells Host Carolyn Beeler, this global story is both magnificent and very dark.This story originally aired on Oct. 1, 2025.

Author Tim Queeney has written a book, "Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization," that delves into the ways rope has been used — for good and ill — throughout human history. As he tells Host Carolyn Beeler, this global story is both magnificent and very dark.
This story originally aired on Oct. 1, 2025.

The long and surprising history of rope

People crowded in from across Europe to catch the solar eclipse in Spain. The World’s Gerry Hadden took some friends to a remote spot to view the spectacle. He reports from Spanish city of El Perelló.

People crowded in from across Europe to catch the solar eclipse in Spain. The World’s Gerry Hadden took some friends to a remote spot to view the spectacle. He reports from Spanish city of El Perelló.

Spain's solar eclipse dazzles after more than a century since the last one

In Japan, a new refrigerator designed to cool humans is making its debut, while scientists in the UK say they've invented a biodegradable balloon. Host Carolyn Beeler has the details.

In Japan, a new refrigerator designed to cool humans is making its debut, while scientists in the UK say they've invented a biodegradable balloon. Host Carolyn Beeler has the details.

Highlights in environmental news

At least 68 Palestinians and 13 Israelis have been killed in the West Bank this year. And there is a real fear that violence could spiral further out of control between Palestinian villagers and Jewish settlers. The Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law, and by most global bodies, including the UN. Stephanie Fried reports from the northern Israeli settlement of Havat Gilad.

At least 68 Palestinians and 13 Israelis have been killed in the West Bank this year. And there is a real fear that violence could spiral further out of control between Palestinian villagers and Jewish settlers. The Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law, and by most global bodies, including the UN. Stephanie Fried reports from the northern Israeli settlement of Havat Gilad.

Israeli settlers increase attacks in West Bank

Hundreds of years ago, Chinese women created a secret language to share their struggles and dreams with each other. The language is almost extinct, with only a handful of women still able to read and write it today. A new documentary shows how the language is being preserved in China today.This story originally aired on June 10, 2022.

Hundreds of years ago, Chinese women created a secret language to share their struggles and dreams with each other. The language is almost extinct, with only a handful of women still able to read and write it today. A new documentary shows how the language is being preserved in China today.
This story originally aired on June 10, 2022.

China's secret Nüshu language

Some Americans, like Pardis Mahdavi, feel caught between two worlds. Her parents immigrated to the US from Iran, and she’s never really felt completely at home in either country. So now, she’s adopted a hyphenated identity. Patrick Cox of the "Subtitle" podcast reports.This story originally aired on Dec. 23, 2021.

Some Americans, like Pardis Mahdavi, feel caught between two worlds. Her parents immigrated to the US from Iran, and she’s never really felt completely at home in either country. So now, she’s adopted a hyphenated identity. Patrick Cox of the "Subtitle" podcast reports.
This story originally aired on Dec. 23, 2021.

Does the hyphen unite or divide?

The Trump administration has stripped Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, from hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries from 13 countries. Sejal Zota, the co-founder of the legal support group Just Futures Law, talks with The World’s Host Marco Werman about the origins of the TPS program and the idea that the US should not send people back to countries where they cannot return safely.

The Trump administration has stripped Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, from hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries from 13 countries. Sejal Zota, the co-founder of the legal support group Just Futures Law, talks with The World’s Host Marco Werman about the origins of the TPS program and the idea that the US should not send people back to countries where they cannot return safely.

The origins of TPS and its uncertain future

Cali, Colombia, was hit hard by this week's earthquake. A mix of local and regional rescue teams are on the ground, and every hour brings a new celebration or disappointment, as neighbors gather around the sites devastated by the 7.4-magnitude quake. Host Marco Werman speaks with reporter Manuel Rueda, who's on the ground in Cali.

Cali, Colombia, was hit hard by this week's earthquake. A mix of local and regional rescue teams are on the ground, and every hour brings a new celebration or disappointment, as neighbors gather around the sites devastated by the 7.4-magnitude quake. Host Marco Werman speaks with reporter Manuel Rueda, who's on the ground in Cali.

Colombia continues to dig out the living and the dead

Humans aren't the only animal species on the planet with complex vocal communications. New research shows that chimpanzees communicate with 390 "words" and it could have big implications for the understanding of the evolution of human languages. Host Marco Werman spoke to a co-author of the research, Catherine Crockford. She’s research director at CNRS Institute of Cognitive Sciences in Lyon, France, and co-director of the Taï Chimpanzee Project, Ivory Coast, where the research took place.This story originally aired on April 4, 2024.

Humans aren't the only animal species on the planet with complex vocal communications. New research shows that chimpanzees communicate with 390 "words" and it could have big implications for the understanding of the evolution of human languages. Host Marco Werman spoke to a co-author of the research, Catherine Crockford. She’s research director at CNRS Institute of Cognitive Sciences in Lyon, France, and co-director of the Taï Chimpanzee Project, Ivory Coast, where the research took place.
This story originally aired on April 4, 2024.

New research reveals chimpanzee 'language' to be complex

A coder in Sweden thought it would be funny to see what ChatGPT says when it is stoned — whether on weed, coke or ketamine. So, he created a chatbot plug-in that people are actually paying to use. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.This story originally aired on Jan. 9, 2026.

A coder in Sweden thought it would be funny to see what ChatGPT says when it is stoned — whether on weed, coke or ketamine. So, he created a chatbot plug-in that people are actually paying to use. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.
This story originally aired on Jan. 9, 2026.

This chatbot is operating under the influence

Brasiliano is a combination of Portuguese, African and Indigenous languages. Many advocates says it's a truer reflection of the complex history and people of Brazil and that Brasiliano should replace Brazilian Portuguese as the official language. Musician Lucas Santtana agrees and even calls his new album "Brasiliano." Santtana recently spoke to Host Marco Werman.This story originally aired on March 11, 2026.

Brasiliano is a combination of Portuguese, African and Indigenous languages. Many advocates says it's a truer reflection of the complex history and people of Brazil and that Brasiliano should replace Brazilian Portuguese as the official language. Musician Lucas Santtana agrees and even calls his new album "Brasiliano." Santtana recently spoke to Host Marco Werman.
This story originally aired on March 11, 2026.

Brasiliano in language and in song

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is walking from Ethiopia to Chile on the Out of Eden Walk. But as he tells The World, "People are my destination." The story of the walk unfolds through conversations he has with the people he meets along the way. He speaks to Host Carolyn Beeler about the everyday chitchats that have become essential to his travels.This story originally aired on Aug. 22, 2025.

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is walking from Ethiopia to Chile on the Out of Eden Walk. But as he tells The World, "People are my destination." The story of the walk unfolds through conversations he has with the people he meets along the way. He speaks to Host Carolyn Beeler about the everyday chitchats that have become essential to his travels.
This story originally aired on Aug. 22, 2025.

Small talk on the big walk

Erratic weather patterns in the Central American Dry Corridor are leaving millions of people in food insecurity. Local farmers in a rural community in Honduras are learning how to deal with climate change. Tibisay Zea reports.This story originally aired on June 27, 2022.

Erratic weather patterns in the Central American Dry Corridor are leaving millions of people in food insecurity. Local farmers in a rural community in Honduras are learning how to deal with climate change. Tibisay Zea reports.
This story originally aired on June 27, 2022.

In Honduras, farmers turn to cashews to cope with extreme weather

Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his younger brother were sentenced to death in absentia by a Damascus court today, nearly two years after victorious rebels forced them to seek exile in Russia. The University of Oklahoma’s Joshua Landis tells The World’s Host Marco Werman that it's unlikely the Kremlin would surrender the Assads.

Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his younger brother were sentenced to death in absentia by a Damascus court today, nearly two years after victorious rebels forced them to seek exile in Russia. The University of Oklahoma’s Joshua Landis tells The World’s Host Marco Werman that it's unlikely the Kremlin would surrender the Assads.

Assad sentenced to death, as Syria turns a page

Regions of western Colombia were struck yesterday by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 179 people and has left thousands more missing. Host Marco Werman has more of the details.

Regions of western Colombia were struck yesterday by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 179 people and has left thousands more missing. Host Marco Werman has more of the details.

Western Colombia rocked by massive earthquake

It’s puffer fish season in the seas around Southeast Asia. In the more-tropical part of the region — Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines — fishing boats are catching these spiny sea creatures. Most will throw pufferfish back, but some will bring them to market, serving niche groups of customers who love eating them — even though experts warn that you might not want to do that. The World’s Patrick Winn reports.This story originally aired on June 2, 2023.

It’s puffer fish season in the seas around Southeast Asia. In the more-tropical part of the region — Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines — fishing boats are catching these spiny sea creatures. Most will throw pufferfish back, but some will bring them to market, serving niche groups of customers who love eating them — even though experts warn that you might not want to do that. The World’s Patrick Winn reports.
This story originally aired on June 2, 2023.

Eating puffer fish is risky business

Long queues, missed flights and frustrated passengers — Europe’s new biometric border system has been causing chaos at some airports this summer. The new border checks require non-EU travelers to have their fingerprints and faces scanned when entering the Schengen zone. During the peak summer period, some EU airports have opted to abandon the new measures altogether as The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Long queues, missed flights and frustrated passengers — Europe’s new biometric border system has been causing chaos at some airports this summer. The new border checks require non-EU travelers to have their fingerprints and faces scanned when entering the Schengen zone. During the peak summer period, some EU airports have opted to abandon the new measures altogether as The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Europe's new border checks causing airport chaos

In his youth, Kosuke Chujo was obsessed with Nikes, Levi's and the Philadelphia Sound, and he’s turned his passion for all things Philly into a lifelong business: He runs a Philly-style cheesesteak shop in Tokyo, and makes occasional pilgrimages to Philadelphia to taste-test steaks there. Carolyn Beeler sat down with Chujo at his shop in 2024 to ask him about his obsession with Philly cheesesteaks, and how he and his wife have figured out how to make them authentic in a country where you can't buy hoagie rolls or cheese wiz.This story originally aired on Nov. 21, 2024.

In his youth, Kosuke Chujo was obsessed with Nikes, Levi's and the Philadelphia Sound, and he’s turned his passion for all things Philly into a lifelong business: He runs a Philly-style cheesesteak shop in Tokyo, and makes occasional pilgrimages to Philadelphia to taste-test steaks there. Carolyn Beeler sat down with Chujo at his shop in 2024 to ask him about his obsession with Philly cheesesteaks, and how he and his wife have figured out how to make them authentic in a country where you can't buy hoagie rolls or cheese wiz.
This story originally aired on Nov. 21, 2024.

Philly cheesesteak is big in Japan

Styles may vary when it comes to barbecuing, but the basic idea is cooking meat, over fire. It's also a culinary tradition with a global history, infused with global flavor. A new cookbook called "Barbecue: Smoked and Grilled Recipes from Across the Globe," explores these traditions. It was compiled by Chef Hugh Mangum with contributions from May Chow, a chef in Hong Kong. Both chefs speak to Host Marco Werman.This story originally aired on July 3, 2025.

Styles may vary when it comes to barbecuing, but the basic idea is cooking meat, over fire. It's also a culinary tradition with a global history, infused with global flavor. A new cookbook called "Barbecue: Smoked and Grilled Recipes from Across the Globe," explores these traditions. It was compiled by Chef Hugh Mangum with contributions from May Chow, a chef in Hong Kong. Both chefs speak to Host Marco Werman.
This story originally aired on July 3, 2025.