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.

On her latest album, "Lux," Rosalía sets her sights on God and the search for deeper meaning. It’s a big hit, and it reflects a turn toward spirituality among Spanish youth. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

On her latest album, "Lux," Rosalía sets her sights on God and the search for deeper meaning. It’s a big hit, and it reflects a turn toward spirituality among Spanish youth. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

Spanish pop star Rosalía gets spiritual

After the fall of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro, the reaction in South Florida — home to the largest Venezuelan community in the US — is complicated. In Doral, celebrations have been mixed with uncertainty about what comes next for the country, how much control Donald Trump intends to exert, and who should lead a transition. Many who came to the US legally through the Temporary Protected Status program also fear being sent back to a country in transition. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

After the fall of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro, the reaction in South Florida — home to the largest Venezuelan community in the US — is complicated. In Doral, celebrations have been mixed with uncertainty about what comes next for the country, how much control Donald Trump intends to exert, and who should lead a transition. Many who came to the US legally through the Temporary Protected Status program also fear being sent back to a country in transition. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

Mixed reactions among Venezuelans in South Florida

Guinea-Bissau's minister of health announced Thursday that the country was halting a controversial Danish-led, US-funded trial of a hepatitis B vaccine. The West African country says there are ethical concerns with the study and that the pause is a matter of sovereignty. The World's Marco Werman learns more about the controversy from Boghuma Titanji (MD), an expert in infectious diseases at Emory University’s School of Medicine.

Guinea-Bissau's minister of health announced Thursday that the country was halting a controversial Danish-led, US-funded trial of a hepatitis B vaccine. The West African country says there are ethical concerns with the study and that the pause is a matter of sovereignty. The World's Marco Werman learns more about the controversy from Boghuma Titanji (MD), an expert in infectious diseases at Emory University’s School of Medicine.

Guinea-Bissau pauses Danish-led vaccine study over ethical concerns

Host Marco Werman shares updates on a few international news stories that The World has been following.

Host Marco Werman shares updates on a few international news stories that The World has been following.

An update on global headlines

A groundbreaking Australian play has come to New York for a few weeks. It's called The Visitors and it tells an important piece of Australian history from an Aboriginal perspective. A council of tribal leaders is called in when a fleet of ships appears in what is now Sydney Harbor in 1788. "The Visitors" is written by an Aboriginal playwright, and the cast and crew are also Aboriginal. Jeff Lunden reports from New York City.

A groundbreaking Australian play has come to New York for a few weeks. It's called The Visitors and it tells an important piece of Australian history from an Aboriginal perspective. A council of tribal leaders is called in when a fleet of ships appears in what is now Sydney Harbor in 1788. "The Visitors" is written by an Aboriginal playwright, and the cast and crew are also Aboriginal. Jeff Lunden reports from New York City.

New play reimagines Australian history from Aboriginal viewpoint

Acclaimed Iranian film director Jafar Panahi’s latest thriller, "It Was Just an Accident," was just nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Early last month, Tehran charged Panahi with creating propaganda against the government and sentenced him to a year in prison in absentia. Panahi spoke with The World’s Marco Werman shortly after those charges were announced about the risks he takes and his latest movie that explores guilt, blame, and moral ambiguity. This segment originally aired on Dec. 4, 2025.

Acclaimed Iranian film director Jafar Panahi’s latest thriller, "It Was Just an Accident," was just nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Early last month, Tehran charged Panahi with creating propaganda against the government and sentenced him to a year in prison in absentia. Panahi spoke with The World’s Marco Werman shortly after those charges were announced about the risks he takes and his latest movie that explores guilt, blame, and moral ambiguity. 
This segment originally aired on Dec. 4, 2025.

Oscar-nominated Iranian director refuses to bow to censorship

Tennis player Naomi Osaka has been a standout this week at the Australian Open — both for her play and for her outfits. Host Marco Werman explains.

Tennis player Naomi Osaka has been a standout this week at the Australian Open — both for her play and for her outfits. Host Marco Werman explains.

Naomi Osaka wows the crowd at Australian Open

A stretched polar vortex is bringing severe winter storm conditions to half the continental US, and is causing temperatures to plummet across even more of the northern hemisphere. The World's Marco Werman speaks with winter weather expert and scientist Judah Cohen about how the warming Arctic is tied to this weather event.

A stretched polar vortex is bringing severe winter storm conditions to half the continental US, and is causing temperatures to plummet across even more of the northern hemisphere. The World's Marco Werman speaks with winter weather expert and scientist Judah Cohen about how the warming Arctic is tied to this weather event.

Major cold snap and winter storm fueled by warming arctic

About half a million Syrians living in Turkey have returned to Syria — just one in five. Although aid groups estimate many more will follow, it's a difficult decision, and many are wary of Syria's new leader and struggling economy. Reporter Durrie Bouscaren visited Istanbul's now largely emptied 'Little Syria' neighborhood to see how people are answering the question of whether they should stay or go.

About half a million Syrians living in Turkey have returned to Syria — just one in five. Although aid groups estimate many more will follow, it's a difficult decision, and many are wary of Syria's new leader and struggling economy. Reporter Durrie Bouscaren visited Istanbul's now largely emptied 'Little Syria' neighborhood to see how people are answering the question of whether they should stay or go.

Syrians in Turkey are trying to decide whether to stay or go

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is on a decadeslong project to walk from East Africa to South America. In his 13 years on the road so far, he's been stopped by law enforcement 120 times. Those encounters range from friendly stops to detentions, and everything in between. He has even been logging those stops on an online map. He joins Host Carolyn Beeler to talk about that map and share stories about his walk-ins with the law.

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is on a decadeslong project to walk from East Africa to South America. In his 13 years on the road so far, he's been stopped by law enforcement 120 times. Those encounters range from friendly stops to detentions, and everything in between. He has even been logging those stops on an online map. He joins Host Carolyn Beeler to talk about that map and share stories about his walk-ins with the law.

When you walk across entire continents, police take notice

One week ago, Uganda’s longtime president, Yoweri Museveni, was declared the winner of a disputed election. The country’s leading opposition figure, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, went into hiding shortly after the vote count was released. Reached at an undisclosed location, Wine told The World’s Marco Werman he believes Museveni’s “landslide” victory was “fabricated" and that his own situation is "risky."

One week ago, Uganda’s longtime president, Yoweri Museveni, was declared the winner of a disputed election. The country’s leading opposition figure, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, went into hiding shortly after the vote count was released. Reached at an undisclosed location, Wine told The World’s Marco Werman he believes Museveni’s “landslide” victory was “fabricated" and that his own situation is "risky."

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine speaks from hiding after ‘rigged’ election

When Lalin St Juste lost her grandmother, she lost a relative who’d come to the US from Haiti. That created a stronger need than ever to connect with Haiti itself. In this episode of Movement with Meklit Hadero, we hear about the musician’s journey to reclaim her spiritual, political and musical roots.

When Lalin St Juste lost her grandmother, she lost a relative who’d come to the US from Haiti. That created a stronger need than ever to connect with Haiti itself. In this episode of Movement with Meklit Hadero, we hear about the musician’s journey to reclaim her spiritual, political and musical roots.

‘Dedicated to Haiti’: A musician connects with her ancestral homeland

In Iran, some families are still searching morgues to find their loved ones. Among those who have been able to find them, some say they have been intimidated and threatened by security forces not to hold funerals. With the communications restrictions still in place, there is a delay for those outside the country trying to find out who among their friends and relatives has died.

In Iran, some families are still searching morgues to find their loved ones. Among those who have been able to find them, some say they have been intimidated and threatened by security forces not to hold funerals. With the communications restrictions still in place, there is a delay for those outside the country trying to find out who among their friends and relatives has died.

In Iran, grieving comes with punishment

A new analysis from the United Nations University finds that the world is in a state of "water bankruptcy," with nearly half the world's population experiencing severe water scarcity for at least a month each year. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Kaveh Madani, director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, about what water bankruptcy looks like and whether it's truly a new phenomenon.

A new analysis from the United Nations University finds that the world is in a state of "water bankruptcy," with nearly half the world's population experiencing severe water scarcity for at least a month each year. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Kaveh Madani, director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, about what water bankruptcy looks like and whether it's truly a new phenomenon.

New research finds the world in a state of ‘water bankruptcy’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday to appeal for support. The country is in the midst of a bitter winter war of attrition that has seen devastating Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure. To learn more about the current trajectory of the fighting, The World's Marco Werman speaks to military analyst Michael Kofman at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday to appeal for support. The country is in the midst of a bitter winter war of attrition that has seen devastating Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure. To learn more about the current trajectory of the fighting, The World's Marco Werman speaks to military analyst Michael Kofman at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Update on Russia’s war in Ukraine, as Zelenskyy makes Davos appearance

Funding for the US Agency for International Development was among the first to be cut by the Trump administration, with the president mocking some of the programs it supported. One of them was $60 million for "indigenous empowerment" in Colombia. Reporter Natalie Skowlund looks at what the loss of funding means for the rural villages of Colombia — and the drugs coming into the US.

Funding for the US Agency for International Development was among the first to be cut by the Trump administration, with the president mocking some of the programs it supported. One of them was $60 million for "indigenous empowerment" in Colombia. Reporter Natalie Skowlund looks at what the loss of funding means for the rural villages of Colombia — and the drugs coming into the US.

Cut to USAID funding affects rural regions of Colombia

An encounter between a Western cellist and Wulu Bunun singers in Taiwan led to an album of singular beauty. Host Carolyn shares the story.

An encounter between a Western cellist and Wulu Bunun singers in Taiwan led to an album of singular beauty. Host Carolyn shares the story.

Taiwan's Indigenous Bunun music inspired by natural sounds

The world's largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, reopened today, starting up its 1.36 gigawatt reactor No. 6. That's one of seven reactors at the plant, which were all switched off after the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

The world's largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, reopened today, starting up its 1.36 gigawatt reactor No. 6. That's one of seven reactors at the plant, which were all switched off after the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

TEPCO plant reopens in Japan

Two train crashes this week in Spain have left at least 43 people dead and hundreds injured. Both accidents appear to have been caused by faulty infrastructure. Spain takes pride in its train network, but now passengers are worried the system isn't being properly maintained. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Gelida, Spain.

Two train crashes this week in Spain have left at least 43 people dead and hundreds injured. Both accidents appear to have been caused by faulty infrastructure. Spain takes pride in its train network, but now passengers are worried the system isn't being properly maintained. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Gelida, Spain.

Spain in mourning and shock over dual train wrecks

Immigration has seen one of the most radical policy shifts of US President Donald Trump's second term. Krish O’Mara Vignarajah of the resettlement agency Global Refuge joins Host Carolyn Beeler to discuss the wide-ranging impacts of the past year's changes, and a larger philosophical shift from immigration policy based on humanitarian goals to immigration policy based on exclusion.

Immigration has seen one of the most radical policy shifts of US President Donald Trump's second term. Krish O’Mara Vignarajah of the resettlement agency Global Refuge joins Host Carolyn Beeler to discuss the wide-ranging impacts of the past year's changes, and a larger philosophical shift from immigration policy based on humanitarian goals to immigration policy based on exclusion.

First year of Trump's second term sees 'fundamental re-engineering of US immigration system'

This week, Guatemala declared a state of emergency after gang members rioted inside the country’s prisons. The violence spread, escalating with coordinated attacks on law enforcement in the streets of the capital. For more on the situation, The World's Host Carolyn Beeler spoke to Guatemalan journalist Claudia Méndez, editor of the radio show ConCriterio, who joined the show from Guatemala City.

This week, Guatemala declared a state of emergency after gang members rioted inside the country’s prisons. The violence spread, escalating with coordinated attacks on law enforcement in the streets of the capital. For more on the situation, The World's Host Carolyn Beeler spoke to Guatemalan journalist Claudia Méndez, editor of the radio show ConCriterio, who joined the show from Guatemala City.

Guatemala declares state of emergency following coordinated attacks

News of a violent government crackdown on widespread anti-government protests in Iran has ricocheted across the globe, but firsthand accounts from Iranians inside the country have been hard to access. But just across the border, in Turkey, Iranians fleeing — and coming home — share their stories. Fariba Nawa brings us this report.

News of a violent government crackdown on widespread anti-government protests in Iran has ricocheted across the globe, but firsthand accounts from Iranians inside the country have been hard to access. But just across the border, in Turkey, Iranians fleeing — and coming home — share their stories. Fariba Nawa brings us this report.

Testimony of a crackdown from Iranians crossing the border

A court sentence, for the man who shot and killed Japan's former prime minister. Wildfires in Chile. And in Russia, on the far-eastern peninsula of Kamchatka: The heaviest snowfall in a half-century. Host Carolyn Beeler gives a lightning-round recap of global headlines.

A court sentence, for the man who shot and killed Japan's former prime minister. Wildfires in Chile. And in Russia, on the far-eastern peninsula of Kamchatka: The heaviest snowfall in a half-century. Host Carolyn Beeler gives a lightning-round recap of global headlines.

Updates on developing stories we're watching

A Nokia mobile phone was once the must-have gadget of choice. But, with the advent of smartphones, the Finnish communications giant became a case-study in how a market leading brand can suddenly crash and burn if it fails to keep up with technological innovation. Today, however, Nokia is back as a global leader in radio and mobile communication technology. Deutsche Welle, DW's, Lars Bevanger reports that the Finnish company has pivoted toward defense.

A Nokia mobile phone was once the must-have gadget of choice. But, with the advent of smartphones, the Finnish communications giant became a case-study in how a market leading brand can suddenly crash and burn if it fails to keep up with technological innovation. Today, however, Nokia is back as a global leader in radio and mobile communication technology. Deutsche Welle, DW's, Lars Bevanger reports that the Finnish company has pivoted toward defense.

Nokia is back

In the first 10 months of 2025, international tourism grew by 40% in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. Most of those tourists were Europeans traveling to see the world's largest tropical rain forest. But as reporter Gisele Regatão explains, increased tourism is a double-edged sword for people who live in the region.

In the first 10 months of 2025, international tourism grew by 40% in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. Most of those tourists were Europeans traveling to see the world's largest tropical rain forest. But as reporter Gisele Regatão explains, increased tourism is a double-edged sword for people who live in the region.

Eco-tourism in the Amazon is a double-edged sword

In Venezuela, politics may dominate the headlines, but for most people, the daily reality is about making ends meet. Once one of Latin America’s wealthiest countries, Venezuela now faces soaring prices, shrinking wages and a middle class that has largely vanished. From Caracas, The World looks at how families and highly trained professionals are coping.

In Venezuela, politics may dominate the headlines, but for most people, the daily reality is about making ends meet. Once one of Latin America’s wealthiest countries, Venezuela now faces soaring prices, shrinking wages and a middle class that has largely vanished. From Caracas, The World looks at how families and highly trained professionals are coping.

Venezuelans are grappling with a collapsing economy

A love note, a gladiatorial combat scene, a barrage of insults and everyday confessions have emerged on a wall in Pompeii. New imaging technology has revealed nearly 80 previously unseen inscriptions. After being covered in volcanic ash for 1,700 years, the site was rediscovered in the 18th century, and is now one of the world's most significant archaeological sites from the Roman Empire.

A love note, a gladiatorial combat scene, a barrage of insults and everyday confessions have emerged on a wall in Pompeii. New imaging technology has revealed nearly 80 previously unseen inscriptions. After being covered in volcanic ash for 1,700 years, the site was rediscovered in the 18th century, and is now one of the world's most significant archaeological sites from the Roman Empire.

Imaging technology reveals graffiti on a wall in Pompeii

Auroras can be seen at both the northern and southern poles right now as the Earth experiences a "solar storm." The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learns more from astrophysicist Ryan French about the good and bad of the solar weather event.

Auroras can be seen at both the northern and southern poles right now as the Earth experiences a "solar storm." The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learns more from astrophysicist Ryan French about the good and bad of the solar weather event.

Northern lights part of a 'severe solar storm'

London Mayor Sadiq Khan says the British capital is one of the safest major cities in the Western world, pointing to new police figures showing homicide rates have fallen to their lowest level in a decade. The claim clashes sharply with criticism from his political opponents and from US President Donald Trump, who have portrayed London as a crime-ridden city. Campaigners argue the latest numbers don’t tell the full story. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan says the British capital is one of the safest major cities in the Western world, pointing to new police figures showing homicide rates have fallen to their lowest level in a decade. The claim clashes sharply with criticism from his political opponents and from US President Donald Trump, who have portrayed London as a crime-ridden city. Campaigners argue the latest numbers don’t tell the full story. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

London killings fall to decade low but debate over safety continues

Despite an agreed upon ceasefire, clashes broke out this weekend between the Syrian military and the Kurdish-led SDF militia in the north. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with historian Amr Al-Azm about where things stand — and what could happen if ongoing talks break down.

Despite an agreed upon ceasefire, clashes broke out this weekend between the Syrian military and the Kurdish-led SDF militia in the north. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with historian Amr Al-Azm about where things stand — and what could happen if ongoing talks break down.