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.

At least seven students from the Autonomous University of Morelos have been murdered since 2025, including five young women. The killings have sparked protests and renewed demands for better protection. Across Mexico, female university students face sexual harassment, fear of disappearing and obstacles to reporting abuse. As universities introduce new security measures and complaint procedures, students and researchers question whether enough is being done to prevent violence and hold perpetrators accountable. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

At least seven students from the Autonomous University of Morelos have been murdered since 2025, including five young women. The killings have sparked protests and renewed demands for better protection. Across Mexico, female university students face sexual harassment, fear of disappearing and obstacles to reporting abuse. As universities introduce new security measures and complaint procedures, students and researchers question whether enough is being done to prevent violence and hold perpetrators accountable. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

A wave of student killings raises safety concerns at Mexican universities

Students have marched in cities across Brazil against presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro. They're concerned about potential cuts to higher education. Universities were highly impacted by funding freezes and unprecedented budget cuts under former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio's father, and the son has promised similar austerity measures. It comes in the wake of the first round of the presidential elections, in which Trump-ally Flavio Bolsonaro won by 2% ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Michael Fox reports from Florianopolis, Brazil.

Students have marched in cities across Brazil against presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro. They're concerned about potential cuts to higher education. Universities were highly impacted by funding freezes and unprecedented budget cuts under former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio's father, and the son has promised similar austerity measures. It comes in the wake of the first round of the presidential elections, in which Trump-ally Flavio Bolsonaro won by 2% ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Michael Fox reports from Florianopolis, Brazil.

Brazilian students protest Flavio Bolsonaro's promised education cuts

Houthi fighters are escalating their attacks on Saudi infrastructure and civilians, leaving Riyadh with few easy options. Michael Ratney, former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Biden administration and now a non-resident senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, discusses the implications of rising Houthi clout with The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Houthi fighters are escalating their attacks on Saudi infrastructure and civilians, leaving Riyadh with few easy options. Michael Ratney, former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Biden administration and now a non-resident senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, discusses the implications of rising Houthi clout with The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Houthis, as potent regional force, draw Saudi Arabia deeper into war

A new musical — with a score by Duncan Sheik and a book by Leah Nanako Winkler, based on a Japanese graphic novel — is opening off-Broadway this week. It's the first Japanese manga to be developed into an American musical, about a woman who feels trapped within her life. Sheik, a Tony Winner for his score to Spring Awakening, died before the dress rehearsals were done. Jeff Lunden reports from New York.

A new musical — with a score by Duncan Sheik and a book by Leah Nanako Winkler, based on a Japanese graphic novel — is opening off-Broadway this week. It's the first Japanese manga to be developed into an American musical, about a woman who feels trapped within her life. Sheik, a Tony Winner for his score to Spring Awakening, died before the dress rehearsals were done. Jeff Lunden reports from New York.

A manga musical hits (off-) Broadway

Climate change is reshaping nearly every part of society. And that includes our relationships. Researchers are increasingly understanding how climate change both amplifies loneliness and can build stronger bonds. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with psychologist Samia Ahkter-Khan for The Loneliness Diagnosis, our special series on solutions to loneliness around the world.

Climate change is reshaping nearly every part of society. And that includes our relationships. Researchers are increasingly understanding how climate change both amplifies loneliness and can build stronger bonds. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with psychologist Samia Ahkter-Khan for The Loneliness Diagnosis, our special series on solutions to loneliness around the world.

As the climate changes, loneliness grows

In the 1970s and '80s, Teresa Teng was the big pop star in Asia. The Taiwanese singer released hit after hit, recording in several languages including Mandarin and Japanese. Her untimely death in 1995 at the age of 42, hasn't stopped her fan base from wanting more of her music. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks to Xianda Huang, a superfan and scholar in Chinese pop culture.

In the 1970s and '80s, Teresa Teng was the big pop star in Asia. The Taiwanese singer released hit after hit, recording in several languages including Mandarin and Japanese. Her untimely death in 1995 at the age of 42, hasn't stopped her fan base from wanting more of her music. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks to Xianda Huang, a superfan and scholar in Chinese pop culture.

The enduring legacy of late Taiwanese pop star Teresa Teng

Springtime is normally dry and sunny in Santiago, Chile. But the city has recorded its wettest October on record in the first week of the month when around two inches of rain fell in just a single day. Heavy rainfall high up in the Andes mountains rushed down into Santiago’s Mapocho River, turning it from a sedate flow into a torrent. And among all the chaos, there was one rescue that kept the public riveted for hours, and later became an unlikely global hero as Jane Chambers reports.

Springtime is normally dry and sunny in Santiago, Chile. But the city has recorded its wettest October on record in the first week of the month when around two inches of rain fell in just a single day. Heavy rainfall high up in the Andes mountains rushed down into Santiago’s Mapocho River, turning it from a sedate flow into a torrent. And among all the chaos, there was one rescue that kept the public riveted for hours, and later became an unlikely global hero as Jane Chambers reports.

A stray dog captures Chile's heart

After nearly 30 years together, one of Norway’s biggest musical acts is calling it quits. The hip-hop duo Karpe announced earlier this year that they’ll retire in 2028, following one final tour. But for a generation of Norwegians, the duo has been much more than a cultural staple: Karpe also challenged what it means to be Norwegian. The World’s Joshua Coe, who spoke to Karpe back in 2022, connected with fans in Norway last week to reflect on their legacy.

After nearly 30 years together, one of Norway’s biggest musical acts is calling it quits. The hip-hop duo Karpe announced earlier this year that they’ll retire in 2028, following one final tour. But for a generation of Norwegians, the duo has been much more than a cultural staple: Karpe also challenged what it means to be Norwegian. The World’s Joshua Coe, who spoke to Karpe back in 2022, connected with fans in Norway last week to reflect on their legacy.

Norwegian hip-hop duo that brought the immigrant experience to the fore retires

In her new book, "The Best Kind of American," Lebanese journalist Kim Ghattas investigates the 1984 murder of Malcolm Kerr, president of the American University of Beirut, and explores how his assassination connects Lebanon’s turbulent past to the Middle East's current crises. Ghattas and The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler consider key junctures in 1980s Lebanon and discuss how the small country became an arena for so many competing forces.

In her new book, "The Best Kind of American," Lebanese journalist Kim Ghattas investigates the 1984 murder of Malcolm Kerr, president of the American University of Beirut, and explores how his assassination connects Lebanon’s turbulent past to the Middle East's current crises. Ghattas and The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler consider key junctures in 1980s Lebanon and discuss how the small country became an arena for so many competing forces.

The Beirut assassination that foreshadowed today's Middle East crisis

Nepal's government is ending its active search for the more than 5,000 people still missing from August's catastrophic flooding. The country is now moving into a "rehabilitation" phase, though any remains discovered in that process will be recovered. Dharam Uprety, head of Nepal's disaster management agency, tells The World's Host Carolyn Beeler that while the government is resettling victims, it will not rebuild where towns were destroyed.

Nepal's government is ending its active search for the more than 5,000 people still missing from August's catastrophic flooding. The country is now moving into a "rehabilitation" phase, though any remains discovered in that process will be recovered. Dharam Uprety, head of Nepal's disaster management agency, tells The World's Host Carolyn Beeler that while the government is resettling victims, it will not rebuild where towns were destroyed.

Nepal suspends search for more than 5,000 flood victims

Formula One has announced a 10-year deal to hold the Africa Grand Prix in Rwanda. The initial event would be the continent's first F1 race since 1993. F1 says a purpose-built circuit could be completed “early in the next decade,” about 25 miles from the capital, Kigali. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has the story.

Formula One has announced a 10-year deal to hold the Africa Grand Prix in Rwanda. The initial event would be the continent's first F1 race since 1993. F1 says a purpose-built circuit could be completed “early in the next decade,” about 25 miles from the capital, Kigali. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has the story.

Formula One: First African Grand Prix in three decades will be in Rwanda

Conservationists in Indonesia who have spent years replanting the country's forests are now watching that work burn. Wildfires have surged for months, spreading smoke across the region. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Nur Febriani, with the reforestation group ASRI, about what's been lost.

Conservationists in Indonesia who have spent years replanting the country's forests are now watching that work burn. Wildfires have surged for months, spreading smoke across the region. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Nur Febriani, with the reforestation group ASRI, about what's been lost.

Indonesia's wildfires burning reforested areas

Fires have been blazing across vast stretches of forest throughout Indonesia. This is causing hazardous emissions to ⁠surge, particularly in the hardest-hit provinces on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. This year’s wildfire season is the most intense in 11 years as “super-El Niño” weather conditions drive up temperatures and cause punishing droughts. Naina Rao reports from Jakarta.

Fires have been blazing across vast stretches of forest throughout Indonesia. This is causing hazardous emissions to ⁠surge, particularly in the hardest-hit provinces on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. This year’s wildfire season is the most intense in 11 years as “super-El Niño” weather conditions drive up temperatures and cause punishing droughts. Naina Rao reports from Jakarta.

Indonesian wildfire season is worst in more than a decade

A trial is beginning for a Ukrainian national charged with sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline. Prosecutors allege the Ukrainian, named during the trial only as Serhii K., acted on behalf of "state agencies of Ukraine.” The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with The Wall Street Journal’s Bojan Pancevski, the author of "The Nord Stream Conspiracy: The Inside Story of the Explosions That Shook the World," about the implications of the trial.

A trial is beginning for a Ukrainian national charged with sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline. Prosecutors allege the Ukrainian, named during the trial only as Serhii K., acted on behalf of "state agencies of Ukraine.” The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with The Wall Street Journal’s Bojan Pancevski, the author of "The Nord Stream Conspiracy: The Inside Story of the Explosions That Shook the World," about the implications of the trial.

Nord Stream trial puts Germany in delicate position

We take a couple of minutes to listen to a talented 12-year-old busking on the famous Grafton Street in Dublin. Riordan Hopwood has covered "Dreams" by The Cranberries and "Anna" by The Beatles. Host Marco Werman has the details.

We take a couple of minutes to listen to a talented 12-year-old busking on the famous Grafton Street in Dublin. Riordan Hopwood has covered "Dreams" by The Cranberries and "Anna" by The Beatles. Host Marco Werman has the details.

12-year-old busker wows on Ireland's streets

Thousands of people marched through New Delhi Monday toward India's Supreme Court, where opposition leaders sought to challenge a sweeping revision of the country's voter registration lists. More than 130 million names have been removed from those voter lists, which opposition politicians and civil society leaders have called into question as tampering by the ruling party's government. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Mukulika Banerjee, a social anthropologist at the London School of Economics who researches India's democracy.

Thousands of people marched through New Delhi Monday toward India's Supreme Court, where opposition leaders sought to challenge a sweeping revision of the country's voter registration lists. More than 130 million names have been removed from those voter lists, which opposition politicians and civil society leaders have called into question as tampering by the ruling party's government. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Mukulika Banerjee, a social anthropologist at the London School of Economics who researches India's democracy.

Voter roll purge ignites march on India's Supreme Court

Allegations of a horrific sexual assault at Cornell University in New York State have reignited questions about how colleges protect students and hold perpetrators to account. But the problem extends far beyond US campuses. In England, a survey of more than 50,000 final-year students last year found that 14% had been sexually assaulted since starting university. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Allegations of a horrific sexual assault at Cornell University in New York State have reignited questions about how colleges protect students and hold perpetrators to account. But the problem extends far beyond US campuses. In England, a survey of more than 50,000 final-year students last year found that 14% had been sexually assaulted since starting university. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Sexual assault at universities extends far beyond the US

An arms race is escalating above us, as military powers vie for control of space. The satellites we rely on are vulnerable to attack and space debris is increasingly filling a crowded orbit. The PBS documentary "Space Wars" explores the dangers of militarizing space. Jonathan McDowell is an astrophysicist and contributed to the documentary. He recently spoke to Host Carolyn Beeler.

An arms race is escalating above us, as military powers vie for control of space. The satellites we rely on are vulnerable to attack and space debris is increasingly filling a crowded orbit. The PBS documentary "Space Wars" explores the dangers of militarizing space. Jonathan McDowell is an astrophysicist and contributed to the documentary. He recently spoke to Host Carolyn Beeler.

NOVA documentary explores the militarization of space

Hezbollah has been a powerful force in Lebanon for decades. But after yet another devastating war with Israel, the group is facing calls to give up its weapons, and there are growing doubts among some of its supporters. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports from Lebanon.

Hezbollah has been a powerful force in Lebanon for decades. But after yet another devastating war with Israel, the group is facing calls to give up its weapons, and there are growing doubts among some of its supporters. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports from Lebanon.

As Israel continues attacks in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah faces questions

On June 11, 1922, American filmmaker Robert Flaherty premiered “Nanook of the North: A Story of Life and Love in the Actual Arctic” in New York City. Set in Inukjuak on the Hudson Bay in northern Quebec, the silent film documented the daily struggles of an Inuk man and his family. It was the first significant nonfiction film ever released and led to a new category of film: the documentary. A century later, another American filmmaker returned to Inukjuak to examine what has happened to the community over the past 100 years. Host Marco Werman speaks to Inukjuak town manager Shoamik Inukpuk and Kirk French, a filmmaker and anthropologist at Penn State.This story originally aired on June 8, 2022.

On June 11, 1922, American filmmaker Robert Flaherty premiered “Nanook of the North: A Story of Life and Love in the Actual Arctic” in New York City. Set in Inukjuak on the Hudson Bay in northern Quebec, the silent film documented the daily struggles of an Inuk man and his family. It was the first significant nonfiction film ever released and led to a new category of film: the documentary. A century later, another American filmmaker returned to Inukjuak to examine what has happened to the community over the past 100 years. Host Marco Werman speaks to Inukjuak town manager Shoamik Inukpuk and Kirk French, a filmmaker and anthropologist at Penn State.
This story originally aired on June 8, 2022.

‘Nanook of the North’ a century later

A small population of desert lions in Namibia have become the only maritime lions in the world. They’ve moved to the country’s Atlantic coast in search of food, as climate change and extreme weather force a shift in their hunting patterns. Griet Van Malderen is a wildlife photographer who has spent years following the pride. She spoke with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about what she’s seen. This story originally aired on Oct. 17, 2025.

A small population of desert lions in Namibia have become the only maritime lions in the world. They’ve moved to the country’s Atlantic coast in search of food, as climate change and extreme weather force a shift in their hunting patterns. Griet Van Malderen is a wildlife photographer who has spent years following the pride. She spoke with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about what she’s seen.
This story originally aired on Oct. 17, 2025.

In search of food, desert lions in Namibia move to the sea

The Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in 2021, after the hasty conclusion to a 20-year US military occupation. Since then, music has been officially banned in the country. Musicians are driven underground, instruments are destroyed and recordings are contraband. In the East Bay, across from San Francisco, one Afghan American is working hard to preserve what he can. He’s digitizing tapes he’s sourced from back home and posting them in an online database he started calling the Afghan Cassette Archive. But getting those tapes out of Afghanistan is not as simple as an online order … it's an illegal, expensive and dangerous odyssey. Reporter Christopher Alam met up with Omid J, aka OMJVinyls, at his Oakland studio to check out his rare collection.

The Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in 2021, after the hasty conclusion to a 20-year US military occupation. Since then, music has been officially banned in the country. Musicians are driven underground, instruments are destroyed and recordings are contraband. In the East Bay, across from San Francisco, one Afghan American is working hard to preserve what he can. He’s digitizing tapes he’s sourced from back home and posting them in an online database he started calling the Afghan Cassette Archive. But getting those tapes out of Afghanistan is not as simple as an online order … it's an illegal, expensive and dangerous odyssey. Reporter Christopher Alam met up with Omid J, aka OMJVinyls, at his Oakland studio to check out his rare collection.

Keeping Afghanistan's musical tradition alive

As Syria tries to recover from civil war, it's working to create a constitution, and enact the rule of law. But a devastating problem persists: so-called “honor crimes,” where women and girls are killed in the name of “family honor.” Today, we hear the story of Nour — whose life was cut short by such an honor killing. Lina Chawaf reports from Syria.

As Syria tries to recover from civil war, it's working to create a constitution, and enact the rule of law. But a devastating problem persists: so-called “honor crimes,” where women and girls are killed in the name of “family honor.” Today, we hear the story of Nour — whose life was cut short by such an honor killing. Lina Chawaf reports from Syria.

Honor killings continue to dishonor Syria as it seeks to modernize

Czechs went to the polls today. It's the first of two days of voting to elect local representatives and fill one-third of senate seats. More than 8 million Czechs are eligible to vote. So are 237,000 non-Czech EU citizens living in the country, though many of them don't know it. But, as Deutsche Welle, DW's, Rob Cameron reports, three foreign-born residents have been trying to change that.

Czechs went to the polls today. It's the first of two days of voting to elect local representatives and fill one-third of senate seats. More than 8 million Czechs are eligible to vote. So are 237,000 non-Czech EU citizens living in the country, though many of them don't know it. But, as Deutsche Welle, DW's, Rob Cameron reports, three foreign-born residents have been trying to change that.

Some EU citizens get to vote in Czech elections

Workers building a vast new US consulate in Milan, Italy, got a big pay day this week. More than 60 laborers, mostly from India, got around $50,000 each for alleged labor abuses. It was part of a nearly $35-million settlement agreed to last month with Alabama-based Caddell Construction.

Workers building a vast new US consulate in Milan, Italy, got a big pay day this week. More than 60 laborers, mostly from India, got around $50,000 each for alleged labor abuses. It was part of a nearly $35-million settlement agreed to last month with Alabama-based Caddell Construction.

Milan worker payout

Musician El León Pardo pronounces himself king of Cumbia Espacial, or Space Cumbia. It's here that he's created a tropical, psychedelic-like world where the coral is constantly changing color and the trees have a language all their own. And because El León Pardo is king ,when he gives the signal, we all have to get up and dance. We'll hear the music of El León Pardo.

Musician El León Pardo pronounces himself king of Cumbia Espacial, or Space Cumbia. It's here that he's created a tropical, psychedelic-like world where the coral is constantly changing color and the trees have a language all their own. And because El León Pardo is king ,when he gives the signal, we all have to get up and dance. We'll hear the music of El León Pardo.

A musical trip to Cumbia Espacial

Mexico is bringing back the bison — also elk and prairie dogs. It's part of an effort to re-wild a massive swath of land in the state of Sonora, along the US-Mexico border. A binational nonprofit is helping to make it happen. From KJZZ, Nina Kravinsky has the story.

Mexico is bringing back the bison — also elk and prairie dogs. It's part of an effort to re-wild a massive swath of land in the state of Sonora, along the US-Mexico border. A binational nonprofit is helping to make it happen. From KJZZ, Nina Kravinsky has the story.

Mexico brings back the bison

Former International Criminal Court judge Navi Pillay is the recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Iva Vukušić, assistant professor of international history at Utrecht University in the Netherlands who specializes in international courts, about Pillay's work and legacy.

Former International Criminal Court judge Navi Pillay is the recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Iva Vukušić, assistant professor of international history at Utrecht University in the Netherlands who specializes in international courts, about Pillay's work and legacy.

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to former ICC judge

One of the Guinea-Bissau's most important songwriters was Jose Carlos Schwarz. His politically-charged songs helped the country win its 11-year independence war against Portugal in 1974. A group of musicians from the West African country is now celebrating his legacy. From Lisbon, Ricci Shryock reports.

One of the Guinea-Bissau's most important songwriters was Jose Carlos Schwarz. His politically-charged songs helped the country win its 11-year independence war against Portugal in 1974. A group of musicians from the West African country is now celebrating his legacy. From Lisbon, Ricci Shryock reports.

Guinea-Bissau celebrates legendary independence-era musician

Nine months after former President Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces, protests are surging across Venezuela. People are taking to the streets over blackouts, low wages, political prisoners and demands for new elections. Even some longtime "Chavistas" are protesting the government for its closer relationship with Washington. The World’s Tibisay Zea looks at why Venezuelans are taking to the streets again — and what that says about the country’s uneasy political transition.

Nine months after former President Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces, protests are surging across Venezuela. People are taking to the streets over blackouts, low wages, political prisoners and demands for new elections. Even some longtime "Chavistas" are protesting the government for its closer relationship with Washington. The World’s Tibisay Zea looks at why Venezuelans are taking to the streets again — and what that says about the country’s uneasy political transition.