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.

When the Intercontinental Hotel first opened its doors in Kabul in 1969, Afghanistan was embracing modernity. In the decades that followed, it kept those doors open through a Soviet occupation, civil wars, a US-led invasion and the rise, fall and rise again of the Taliban. Journalist Lyse Doucet follows the lives of the hotel’s staff as they navigate decades of change in her new book "The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People's History of Afghanistan."

When the Intercontinental Hotel first opened its doors in Kabul in 1969, Afghanistan was embracing modernity. In the decades that followed, it kept those doors open through a Soviet occupation, civil wars, a US-led invasion and the rise, fall and rise again of the Taliban. Journalist Lyse Doucet follows the lives of the hotel’s staff as they navigate decades of change in her new book "The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People's History of Afghanistan."

Fragility and hope endure in Kabul's 'finest' hotel

Northern parts of Afghanistan were hit with a strong earthquake overnight Monday. At least 20 people were killed and many injured, according to local officials. This is the second time since August that the country has been hit with a strong earthquake. The World’s Shirin Jaafari speaks with Host Marco Werman.

Northern parts of Afghanistan were hit with a strong earthquake overnight Monday. At least 20 people were killed and many injured, according to local officials. This is the second time since August that the country has been hit with a strong earthquake. The World’s Shirin Jaafari speaks with Host Marco Werman.

Afghanistan hit with a strong earthquake for the second time in two months

Today in a ceremony hidden from public view Tanzania swore in Samia Hassan for a second term as president. She won with a landslide 98% of the vote in an election that has sparked nationwide protests, and that many international observers are concerned was rigged. Host Marco Werman learns more from Daniel Paget, a specialist in Tanzania's elections and an assistant professor at the University of Sussex in the UK.

Today in a ceremony hidden from public view Tanzania swore in Samia Hassan for a second term as president. She won with a landslide 98% of the vote in an election that has sparked nationwide protests, and that many international observers are concerned was rigged. Host Marco Werman learns more from Daniel Paget, a specialist in Tanzania's elections and an assistant professor at the University of Sussex in the UK.

Tanzania swears in Samia Hassan as president, claiming 98% of vote

When Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, it tore through the country's agricultural center, demolishing crops and killing livestock. Now, as aid flows into the country, concerns are rising about the country's food security moving forward. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Linda Roth from World Central Kitchen about what she's hearing from farmers.

When Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, it tore through the country's agricultural center, demolishing crops and killing livestock. Now, as aid flows into the country, concerns are rising about the country's food security moving forward. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Linda Roth from World Central Kitchen about what she's hearing from farmers.

With hurricane recovery underway in Jamaica, concerns rise about food security

Game 7 of the World Series stretched past midnight into Sunday in Toronto, and has passed into baseball lore as one of the greatest endings of one of the greatest World Series ever. Japan's attention — and everyone else's — was already on the Dodgers' pitcher and slugger Shohei Ohtani. But Yoshinobu Yamamoto stole the show. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have the details.

Game 7 of the World Series stretched past midnight into Sunday in Toronto, and has passed into baseball lore as one of the greatest endings of one of the greatest World Series ever.
Japan's attention — and everyone else's — was already on the Dodgers' pitcher and slugger Shohei Ohtani. But Yoshinobu Yamamoto stole the show. Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman have the details.

Japan cheers for Dodgers baseball heroes

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman highlight some global headlines you might have missed.

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman highlight some global headlines you might have missed.

Things you might have missed

One year after a deadly railway station disaster in Serbia that killed 16 people, families of the victims are still waiting for accountability. Tens of thousands took to the streets of the city of Novi Sad on Saturday, where the tragedy happened, to mark the anniversary. The disaster sparked the country’s largest student protest movement in decades. Students say protests will not stop until early elections are held. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

One year after a deadly railway station disaster in Serbia that killed 16 people, families of the victims are still waiting for accountability. Tens of thousands took to the streets of the city of Novi Sad on Saturday, where the tragedy happened, to mark the anniversary. The disaster sparked the country’s largest student protest movement in decades. Students say protests will not stop until early elections are held. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Serbia marks anniversary of deadly train disaster amid mass protests and calls for early elections

The Trump administration has decided to cap refugee admissions to a record low  of 7,500 resettlement slots, prioritizing white Afrikaners from South Africa. Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, head of Global Refuge, tells Host Carolyn Beeler that the change in policy will dismantle a program that for decades has assisted individuals from around the world fleeing conflict and persecution.

The Trump administration has decided to cap refugee admissions to a record low 
of 7,500 resettlement slots, prioritizing white Afrikaners from South Africa. Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, head of Global Refuge, tells Host Carolyn Beeler that the change in policy will dismantle a program that for decades has assisted individuals from around the world fleeing conflict and persecution.

US decision to slash refugee admissions reverberates globally

The Maldives becomes the only country to adopt a law banning tobacco sales to people born after a specific date. The measure went into effect over the weekend, and means that anyone born after Jan. 1, 2007, will never be able to buy tobacco in the Maldives. Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

The Maldives becomes the only country to adopt a law banning tobacco sales to people born after a specific date. The measure went into effect over the weekend, and means that anyone born after Jan. 1, 2007, will never be able to buy tobacco in the Maldives. Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

Maldives 'generational' smoking ban

A few thousand people have arrived at the Tawila refugee camp in Sudan, after escaping harrowing violence in the RSF-controlled city of el-Fasher. Many of those reaching the camp are unaccompanied children. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler gets the latest from Shashwat Saraf. He's the country lead on Sudan for the Norwegian Refugee Council.

A few thousand people have arrived at the Tawila refugee camp in Sudan, after escaping harrowing violence in the RSF-controlled city of el-Fasher. Many of those reaching the camp are unaccompanied children. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler gets the latest from Shashwat Saraf. He's the country lead on Sudan for the Norwegian Refugee Council.

The view from the ground: Civilians escaping Sudan's el-Fasher

Timor-Leste, once a UN-administered post-conflict state, has been accepted into ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It's a diplomatic coming-of-age moment for the tiny nation. It means the country will help shape consensus on trade, security and diplomacy in the region. Naina Rao explains what took so long, and why it matters.

Timor-Leste, once a UN-administered post-conflict state, has been accepted into ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It's a diplomatic coming-of-age moment for the tiny nation. It means the country will help shape consensus on trade, security and diplomacy in the region. Naina Rao explains what took so long, and why it matters.

Timor-Leste finally joins ASEAN

The announcement came yesterday: Prince Andrew will no longer be "prince." He's now Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The decision came in response to mounting allegations of sexual predation, and ties to American sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry speaks with Host Carolyn Beeler about the significance of this moment, for the Royal family, as well as for survivors and their families.

The announcement came yesterday: Prince Andrew will no longer be "prince." He's now Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The decision came in response to mounting allegations of sexual predation, and ties to American sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry speaks with Host Carolyn Beeler about the significance of this moment, for the Royal family, as well as for survivors and their families.

Buckingham Palace strips Andrew of royal titles

Some Halloween costumes transform ordinary people into fantasy characters. But a social media trend in Japan has people trying instead to capture mundane situations from everyday life. So, instead of "princess" or "two-headed monster" you could be "person standing in line at the security checkpoint of an airport" or "man who keeps getting mistaken for a store employee." The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

Some Halloween costumes transform ordinary people into fantasy characters. But a social media trend in Japan has people trying instead to capture mundane situations from everyday life. So, instead of "princess" or "two-headed monster" you could be "person standing in line at the security checkpoint of an airport" or "man who keeps getting mistaken for a store employee." The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

Japanese Halloween tradition finds horror — and humor — in daily life

In many ways, Koichi Kitabatake is just like any other runner preparing for Sunday's New York City Marathon: He's nervous for the big race but plans to draw energy from crowds of spectators to keep pace. At 91 years old, though, the Japanese runner is the oldest of all 55,000 runners registered for this year's race. The World's Bianca Hillier has his story.

In many ways, Koichi Kitabatake is just like any other runner preparing for Sunday's New York City Marathon: He's nervous for the big race but plans to draw energy from crowds of spectators to keep pace. At 91 years old, though, the Japanese runner is the oldest of all 55,000 runners registered for this year's race. The World's Bianca Hillier has his story.

Oldest runner at New York City Marathon says his life started after retirement

Mexicans are celebrating "Día de Muertos," an annual holiday where families honor deceased ancestors. One popular character always shows up: La Catrina, a fancy skeleton lady wearing an elegant dress and a flowered hat. Last year, The World’s Tibisay Zea went to a big parade in Mexico City, to get the story behind La Catrina's starring role in the seasonal festivities.

Mexicans are celebrating "Día de Muertos," an annual holiday where families honor deceased ancestors. One popular character always shows up: La Catrina, a fancy skeleton lady wearing an elegant dress and a flowered hat. Last year, The World’s Tibisay Zea went to a big parade in Mexico City, to get the story behind La Catrina's starring role in the seasonal festivities.

How 'La Catrina' became a symbol for Mexico's Day of the Dead

The West African nation of Mali, one of the countries comprising the Sahel region to the south of the Sahara Desert, has been fighting extremists for years. But a coalition of al-Qaeda and ISIS fighters, known as JNIM, have begun blowing up oil-tankers en route by road from Senegal, the Ivory Coast and other countries. This could spell disaster for landlocked Mali, which depends on such imports. Similar fighting, political instability and a rejection of Western military assistance across the Sahel has people worried for the region. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

The West African nation of Mali, one of the countries comprising the Sahel region to the south of the Sahara Desert, has been fighting extremists for years. But a coalition of al-Qaeda and ISIS fighters, known as JNIM, have begun blowing up oil-tankers en route by road from Senegal, the Ivory Coast and other countries. This could spell disaster for landlocked Mali, which depends on such imports. Similar fighting, political instability and a rejection of Western military assistance across the Sahel has people worried for the region. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.

Insurgents cut off Mali's fuel supply

Letters written on Aug. 15, 1916, by two Australian soldiers serving in France during World War I have been discovered more than a century later. One of the letter-writers survived the war; the other died a year later. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has the story.

Letters written on Aug. 15, 1916, by two Australian soldiers serving in France during World War I have been discovered more than a century later. One of the letter-writers survived the war; the other died a year later. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has the story.

Messages in a bottle carry World War I history

Before it was destroyed in 2018, the Yarmouk camp near Damascus was home to Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. During the Syrian civil war that started in 2011, government forces laid siege to the camp, creating dire humanitarian conditions inside. Today, the camp is slowly starting to come back to life, as residents return and rebuild. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

Before it was destroyed in 2018, the Yarmouk camp near Damascus was home to Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. During the Syrian civil war that started in 2011, government forces laid siege to the camp, creating dire humanitarian conditions inside. Today, the camp is slowly starting to come back to life, as residents return and rebuild. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

Life slowly returns to a Palestinian camp in Syria

India has a long tradition of stories involving well-known ghosts and monsters. In this favorite Halloween interview from Halloweens past, Kolkata-based reporter Sandip Roy talked to Rakesh Khanna about the illustrated guide he'd just written — back in 2021— to help people understand the cast of ghostly, ghoulish and monstrous characters.

India has a long tradition of stories involving well-known ghosts and monsters. In this favorite Halloween interview from Halloweens past, Kolkata-based reporter Sandip Roy talked to Rakesh Khanna about the illustrated guide he'd just written — back in 2021— to help people understand the cast of ghostly, ghoulish and monstrous characters.

A modern guide to India's ghosts, demons and monsters

The Blue Jays lead the LA Dodgers 3-2 in this year's World Series. The baseball games themselves are spectacular, but they also gain momentum from world politics, as the Jays play against the backdrop of rising tensions between Canada and the US. Lee-Anne Goodman is an editor at The Conversation, and also a Blue Jays fan. She joined The World's Host Marco Werman to talk about the significance of the series for Canadians.

The Blue Jays lead the LA Dodgers 3-2 in this year's World Series. The baseball games themselves are spectacular, but they also gain momentum from world politics, as the Jays play against the backdrop of rising tensions between Canada and the US. Lee-Anne Goodman is an editor at The Conversation, and also a Blue Jays fan. She joined The World's Host Marco Werman to talk about the significance of the series for Canadians.

In a true 'World' Series, the Blue Jays represent Canadian Unity

The independent news network Radio Free Asia will begin closing down its operations on Friday. It's one of several US government-funded international broadcasters that the Trump administration wants to dismantle. The winners in this scenario are authoritarian leaders in Asia who don't tolerate a free press or freedom of expression.

The independent news network Radio Free Asia will begin closing down its operations on Friday. It's one of several US government-funded international broadcasters that the Trump administration wants to dismantle. The winners in this scenario are authoritarian leaders in Asia who don't tolerate a free press or freedom of expression.

Radio Free Asia is shutting down

US President Donald Trump met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, today. Both leaders sounded optimistic about cooling trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Trump called the meeting a "12 out of 10." Nothing has been set in stone, but Trump said tariffs will go down, and China will sell the US rare earth minerals and buy US soybeans. The World's Jeremy Siegel reports from Hong Kong.

US President Donald Trump met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, today. Both leaders sounded optimistic about cooling trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Trump called the meeting a "12 out of 10." Nothing has been set in stone, but Trump said tariffs will go down, and China will sell the US rare earth minerals and buy US soybeans. The World's Jeremy Siegel reports from Hong Kong.

US President Trump and Chinese leader Xi hash out differences

In Rio de Janeiro, residents of the favelas of Penha and Alemão are reeling after Brazil’s deadliest police raid in decades left more than 130 people dead. The operation, aimed at leaders of the Red Command gang, turned the neighborhoods into a war zone. Governor Cláudio Castro defended the raid as a “hard blow against crime,” but human rights groups call it a massacre — and residents say it shows how little has changed in Rio’s security policy. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

In Rio de Janeiro, residents of the favelas of Penha and Alemão are reeling after Brazil’s deadliest police raid in decades left more than 130 people dead. The operation, aimed at leaders of the Red Command gang, turned the neighborhoods into a war zone. Governor Cláudio Castro defended the raid as a “hard blow against crime,” but human rights groups call it a massacre — and residents say it shows how little has changed in Rio’s security policy. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

Deadly police raid in Rio sparks outrage and calls for justice

Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler catch you up on news headlines you might have missed.

Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler catch you up on news headlines you might have missed.

US military forces operating in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have carried out more than a dozen strikes against alleged drug smuggling boats. The strikes, which began in September, have killed nearly 60 people so far. Trump administration officials have offered scant legal justification for these attacks. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

US military forces operating in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have carried out more than a dozen strikes against alleged drug smuggling boats. The strikes, which began in September, have killed nearly 60 people so far. Trump administration officials have offered scant legal justification for these attacks. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

Trump administration ramps up deadly strikes in waters off Latin America

Weather balloons carrying boxes of smuggled cigarettes have been disrupting flights in Lithuania. The situation has escalated dramatically over the past week, and the government in Vilnius has announced plans to close Lithuania's border with Belarus. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry has more.

Weather balloons carrying boxes of smuggled cigarettes have been disrupting flights in Lithuania. The situation has escalated dramatically over the past week, and the government in Vilnius has announced plans to close Lithuania's border with Belarus. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry has more.

Lithuania taking action to prevent smuggler balloons from Belarus

The nation currently known as Turkey sits where Europe meets Asia. That land was once known to Europeans as part of the Levant. National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek walked across Turkey on foot in 2014. He looks back on the experience of traversing that ground, in conversation with Host Carolyn Beeler.

The nation currently known as Turkey sits where Europe meets Asia. That land was once known to Europeans as part of the Levant. National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek walked across Turkey on foot in 2014. He looks back on the experience of traversing that ground, in conversation with Host Carolyn Beeler.

Walking through Turkey between conflicts

Exit polls show a center-left party gaining ground in the Netherlands' national elections. That's a setback for the far-right party of Geert Wilders, who expected a decisive win. But Sarah de Lange, a professor of Dutch politics at the Institute of Political Science at Leiden University, tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler that Dutch voters who support the extreme right have not returned to the mainstream.

Exit polls show a center-left party gaining ground in the Netherlands' national elections. That's a setback for the far-right party of Geert Wilders, who expected a decisive win. But Sarah de Lange, a professor of Dutch politics at the Institute of Political Science at Leiden University, tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler that Dutch voters who support the extreme right have not returned to the mainstream.

Far-right vote splinters in the Netherlands

Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler bring you some stories that may not have caught your eye.

Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler bring you some stories that may not have caught your eye.

News you may not have seen

Today in Jamaica, people are picking up the pieces after the strongest storm seen on Earth — and the strongest hurricane in Jamaica's history — thrashed the island. Hurricane Melissa has now moved over Cuba. The World's Marco Werman heard about the damage done from Evan Thompson, director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica in Kingston.

Today in Jamaica, people are picking up the pieces after the strongest storm seen on Earth — and the strongest hurricane in Jamaica's history — thrashed the island. Hurricane Melissa has now moved over Cuba. The World's Marco Werman heard about the damage done from Evan Thompson, director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica in Kingston.