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.

Since early June, Iranian truck drivers have been protesting for better pay and benefits. The action has seen drivers park their vehicles and refuse cargo deliveries in multiple provinces, disrupting transportation and supply chains. Labor activists in Iran say the strike reflects deepening economic frustration among workers already strained by inflation and sanctions. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Sina Toosi, a senior fellow at the Center For International Policy, about the significance of the strikes and how the government in Iran is responding.

Since early June, Iranian truck drivers have been protesting for better pay and benefits. The action has seen drivers park their vehicles and refuse cargo deliveries in multiple provinces, disrupting transportation and supply chains. Labor activists in Iran say the strike reflects deepening economic frustration among workers already strained by inflation and sanctions. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Sina Toosi, a senior fellow at the Center For International Policy, about the significance of the strikes and how the government in Iran is responding.

Iran truck drivers strike for better pay and benefits

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in the longest-ever men's singles final in Paris on Sunday. Their match lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes, with Alcaraz sweeping the final three sets after losing the first two. On the women's side, Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka, becoming the first American to win the French Open since Serena Williams' victory in 2015.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in the longest-ever men's singles final in Paris on Sunday. Their match lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes, with Alcaraz sweeping the final three sets after losing the first two. On the women's side, Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka, becoming the first American to win the French Open since Serena Williams' victory in 2015.

In Paris, a historic men's final at the French Open

Say you're a performer swept up in a whirlwind romance with a fellow puppeteer, and he leaves on an extended trip to go to a puppetry festival on another continent. Impulsively, you decide to surprise him there — while disguised in a wearable puppet. This is the story Martha Rollins tells of youthful spontaneity gone awry, for GBH's "Stories From the Stage" event series.

Say you're a performer swept up in a whirlwind romance with a fellow puppeteer, and he leaves on an extended trip to go to a puppetry festival on another continent. Impulsively, you decide to surprise him there — while disguised in a wearable puppet. This is the story Martha Rollins tells of youthful spontaneity gone awry, for GBH's "Stories From the Stage" event series.

Crossing the ocean with a puppet for love

Date crumble, rosewater-scented halva, tres leches cake. In a new memoir by imprisoned Iranian activist Sepideh Gholian, each recipe is a story for a fellow prisoner abused by the government. Newly released in English, The World's Durrie Bouscaren explores "The Evin Prison Bakers' Club: Surviving Iran's Notorious Prisons in 16 Recipes."

Date crumble, rosewater-scented halva, tres leches cake. In a new memoir by imprisoned Iranian activist Sepideh Gholian, each recipe is a story for a fellow prisoner abused by the government. Newly released in English, The World's Durrie Bouscaren explores "The Evin Prison Bakers' Club: Surviving Iran's Notorious Prisons in 16 Recipes."

In 'The Evin Prison Bakers' Club,' an Iranian activist smuggles her memoir out of prison

Wu Wei plays an ancient Chinese instrument with thousands of years of tradition that's been "updated" for a modern audience. It's called the sheng, or Chinese mouth organ. Reporter Caroline Feraday caught up with the artist at the Ojai Music Festival this past weekend.

Wu Wei plays an ancient Chinese instrument with thousands of years of tradition that's been "updated" for a modern audience. It's called the sheng, or Chinese mouth organ. Reporter Caroline Feraday caught up with the artist at the Ojai Music Festival this past weekend.

Ancient Chinese instrument

When a young attacker drew a gun at a campaign rally and tried to shoot conservative Colombian politician and Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay, the deed was captured on video. So was that assailant’s effort to escape. The footage has gone viral on social media, with Colombians watching and rewatching the dramatic scenes. Sergio Guzmán, director of the Bogotá-based consulting firm Colombia Risk Analysis, told The World’s Carolyn Beeler that the incident is traumatizing an already deeply polarized society.

When a young attacker drew a gun at a campaign rally and tried to shoot conservative Colombian politician and Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay, the deed was captured on video. So was that assailant’s effort to escape. The footage has gone viral on social media, with Colombians watching and rewatching the dramatic scenes. Sergio Guzmán, director of the Bogotá-based consulting firm Colombia Risk Analysis, told The World’s Carolyn Beeler that the incident is traumatizing an already deeply polarized society.

Attempted assassination of Colombian presidential candidate shakes nation

"Maybe Happy Ending" -— about decommissioned robots falling in love — took home the Tony award for best musical on Sunday night. The show had a six-season run in South Korea and opened on Broadway last fall. Korean-born author Hue Park co-wrote "Maybe Happy Ending" with Will Aronson. The World's Carolyn Beeler has more.

"Maybe Happy Ending" -— about decommissioned robots falling in love — took home the Tony award for best musical on Sunday night. The show had a six-season run in South Korea and opened on Broadway last fall. Korean-born author Hue Park co-wrote "Maybe Happy Ending" with Will Aronson. The World's Carolyn Beeler has more.

'Maybe Happy Ending' takes home Tony Award for best musical

Botswana's state-owned diamond mining partnership with De Beers, called Debswana, has announced it's halting operations at some of its mines. Debswana also says that revenues have dropped 50% amid an international decline in the value of diamonds. The World's Carolyn Beeler talks with Joel Konopo, who manages a Botswanan investigative outlet called INK.

Botswana's state-owned diamond mining partnership with De Beers, called Debswana, has announced it's halting operations at some of its mines. Debswana also says that revenues have dropped 50% amid an international decline in the value of diamonds. The World's Carolyn Beeler talks with Joel Konopo, who manages a Botswanan investigative outlet called INK.

International plunge in diamond value is bringing Botswana with it

As world leaders gather in the city of Nice in France this week for the UN Ocean conference, experts are raising concerns about the acidification of the high seas — a phenomenon that is having a damaging affect on marine life. A new study published on Monday found that the Earth's oceans are acidifying faster than previously believed. The World's Carolyn Beeler learned more from Helen Findlay, the study's lead author.

As world leaders gather in the city of Nice in France this week for the UN Ocean conference, experts are raising concerns about the acidification of the high seas — a phenomenon that is having a damaging affect on marine life. A new study published on Monday found that the Earth's oceans are acidifying faster than previously believed. The World's Carolyn Beeler learned more from Helen Findlay, the study's lead author.

'Planetary boundary' of ocean acidification already crossed, study finds

The al-Kharrat family in Syria has kept the tradition of Sema, or the whirling dervishes, alive for decades. Under the Assad regime, they faced restrictions on traveling abroad to participate in international events. Now, with a new government in place, they hope to expand their programs and to teach the dance to younger Syrians. The World’s Shirin Jaafari visits the family in Damascus.

The al-Kharrat family in Syria has kept the tradition of Sema, or the whirling dervishes, alive for decades. Under the Assad regime, they faced restrictions on traveling abroad to participate in international events. Now, with a new government in place, they hope to expand their programs and to teach the dance to younger Syrians. The World’s Shirin Jaafari visits the family in Damascus.

Family of whirling dervishes in Syria hopeful about the future of the tradition in the country

Rhinos have long been targeted by poachers for their horns, and the illegal trade has contributed to the significant decline of their population. Now, conservationists have come up with a strategy to deter the poachers: Periodically remove rhinos' horns before someone else does. While controversial, new research shows that dehorning dramatically reduces the number of rhinos killed for their horns. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with the study's author Tim Kuiper, a senior lecturer at Nelson Mandela University.

Rhinos have long been targeted by poachers for their horns, and the illegal trade has contributed to the significant decline of their population. Now, conservationists have come up with a strategy to deter the poachers: Periodically remove rhinos' horns before someone else does. While controversial, new research shows that dehorning dramatically reduces the number of rhinos killed for their horns. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with the study's author Tim Kuiper, a senior lecturer at Nelson Mandela University.

Study suggests removing rhino horns to save them before poachers do

A woman from Leeds, in the UK, is trying to help her mother fulfill a lifelong dream — to travel the world. Cara Melia's mom died young, at 51, without getting to travel the world as she had always hoped. So, Cara put her mother's ashes in a bottle and threw it out to sea. Hosts Carol Hills and Carolyn Beeler explain what happened next.

A woman from Leeds, in the UK, is trying to help her mother fulfill a lifelong dream — to travel the world. Cara Melia's mom died young, at 51, without getting to travel the world as she had always hoped. So, Cara put her mother's ashes in a bottle and threw it out to sea. Hosts Carol Hills and Carolyn Beeler explain what happened next.

Daughter hopes mom can 'travel' in death the way she never did in life

An online repository of candid snapshots of seagulls devouring everything from donuts to dead rats is informing a more nuanced scientific understanding of the beachside birds. The project is called — fittingly enough — Gulls Eating Stuff. Hosts Carol Hills and Carolyn Beeler have more.

An online repository of candid snapshots of seagulls devouring everything from donuts to dead rats is informing a more nuanced scientific understanding of the beachside birds. The project is called — fittingly enough — Gulls Eating Stuff. Hosts Carol Hills and Carolyn Beeler have more.

Citizen science documents 'gulls eating stuff' worldwide

Remittances to Mexico fell over 12% in April — the sharpest decline in more than a decade. Now, a proposed 3.5% US tax on money sent abroad by non-citizens is raising fears of deeper cuts. Experts warn the move could push transfers underground and harm families who depend on dollars from abroad. The World's Tibisay Zea reports from Mexico City.

Remittances to Mexico fell over 12% in April — the sharpest decline in more than a decade. Now, a proposed 3.5% US tax on money sent abroad by non-citizens is raising fears of deeper cuts. Experts warn the move could push transfers underground and harm families who depend on dollars from abroad. The World's Tibisay Zea reports from Mexico City.

Remittances to Mexico drop sharply — and a US tax could make things worse

Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz are two of the big names in tennis who are still in the running for the trophy at this year's French Open in Paris. There's one other player who has gotten more attention this week than the top-ranked athletes, though: Lois Boisson. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz are two of the big names in tennis who are still in the running for the trophy at this year's French Open in Paris. There's one other player who has gotten more attention this week than the top-ranked athletes, though: Lois Boisson. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

Wildcard athlete competes with top-ranked tennis players at French Open

The Hajj pilgrimage is underway in Saudi Arabia and, like last year, extreme heat is expected. Government officials have deployed new strategies to help keep pilgrims cool. The World's Host Carol Hills speaks with Dr. Hina Shahid, chair of the Muslim Doctor's Association, about why the heat is a concern.

The Hajj pilgrimage is underway in Saudi Arabia and, like last year, extreme heat is expected. Government officials have deployed new strategies to help keep pilgrims cool. The World's Host Carol Hills speaks with Dr. Hina Shahid, chair of the Muslim Doctor's Association, about why the heat is a concern.

New cooling strategies in place during Hajj to address extreme heat

After Israeli lawmaker Avigdor Liberman told the press that Israel is arming criminal groups in Gaza, news outlets scrambled to confirm the news. Ultimately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did it for them. The World's Host Carol Hills talks to Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, about who these groups are, and what this means for humanitarian aid, and Gaza's future.

After Israeli lawmaker Avigdor Liberman told the press that Israel is arming criminal groups in Gaza, news outlets scrambled to confirm the news. Ultimately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did it for them. The World's Host Carol Hills talks to Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, about who these groups are, and what this means for humanitarian aid, and Gaza's future.

Netanyahu confirms Israeli government is arming groups in Gaza

The year 2027. That’s how soon China will be ready to invade Taiwan, according to US intelligence. There’s a new push in US Congress to get American weapons to the island as fast as possible so that Taiwan will be ready to fight if need be. But some also wonder: Is America even sending the right weapons to Taiwan? The World’s Patrick Winn reports.

The year 2027. That’s how soon China will be ready to invade Taiwan, according to US intelligence. There’s a new push in US Congress to get American weapons to the island as fast as possible so that Taiwan will be ready to fight if need be. But some also wonder: Is America even sending the right weapons to Taiwan? The World’s Patrick Winn reports.

Taiwan wants weapons fast but are they the right ones?

After a truce between the United States and the Houthis, details of the battles between the militant group in Yemen and the US Navy are becoming much clearer. The Houthis, using anti-ship missiles, drones and other weaponry, kept US carriers and destroyers under pressure for months, pushing crews to their limit in some of the fiercest engagements at sea for the US Navy since World War II. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler talks with Stephen Kalin from the Wall Street Journal who reported the inside details of what this naval war was like.

After a truce between the United States and the Houthis, details of the battles between the militant group in Yemen and the US Navy are becoming much clearer. The Houthis, using anti-ship missiles, drones and other weaponry, kept US carriers and destroyers under pressure for months, pushing crews to their limit in some of the fiercest engagements at sea for the US Navy since World War II. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler talks with Stephen Kalin from the Wall Street Journal who reported the inside details of what this naval war was like.

How the Houthis kept the US navy under constant pressure

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has just begun an exhibit focusing on 19th-century sexuality and prostitution, a subject they say is underrepresented in their collection. A centerpiece of the exhibit is a 200-year-old condom, with an etching on it that would make many blush. The World's Aaron Schachter has more.

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has just begun an exhibit focusing on 19th-century sexuality and prostitution, a subject they say is underrepresented in their collection. A centerpiece of the exhibit is a 200-year-old condom, with an etching on it that would make many blush. The World's Aaron Schachter has more.

A new exhibit on sexuality features a 200-year-old condom

A constant fixture of National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek's journey through rural Japan was the whirligig, or as he called them, "seismic scarecrows." Gardeners he spoke to use these contraptions to scare away crop pests like mice and foxes. Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Salopek about the whirligigs, rural Japanese architectural aesthetics and how he managed to get aboard a cargo ship to cross to North America.

A constant fixture of National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek's journey through rural Japan was the whirligig, or as he called them, "seismic scarecrows." Gardeners he spoke to use these contraptions to scare away crop pests like mice and foxes. Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Salopek about the whirligigs, rural Japanese architectural aesthetics and how he managed to get aboard a cargo ship to cross to North America.

Recycled whirligigs remain fixture in Japanese countryside

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final is a rematch of last year, with the Edmonton Oilers going head-to-head with the Florida Panthers. The latter are the reigning champions, while the Canadians are looking to win their first trophy since 1993. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final is a rematch of last year, with the Edmonton Oilers going head-to-head with the Florida Panthers. The latter are the reigning champions, while the Canadians are looking to win their first trophy since 1993. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

Stanley Cup Final gets underway in Edmonton

This year, the annual June 6 celebrations of D-Day, which marked the beginning of the end of WWII, are taking place against a backdrop of transatlantic uncertainty. Nevertheless, when Deutsche Welle's Lisa Bryant visited the village of Baupte in Normandy, US flags were hanging from buildings in a region that hasn’t forgotten the day the Americans landed.

This year, the annual June 6 celebrations of D-Day, which marked the beginning of the end of WWII, are taking place against a backdrop of transatlantic uncertainty. Nevertheless, when Deutsche Welle's Lisa Bryant visited the village of Baupte in Normandy, US flags were hanging from buildings in a region that hasn’t forgotten the day the Americans landed.

D-Day marked in a French town grateful for US war fighters

More than a billion euros in EU funding (around $1.1 billion) meant to support inclusion is instead being used to segregate and isolate vulnerable communities across Europe, according to a new report. Eight NGOs across six EU countries have documented dozens of projects they say violate basic human rights — from Roma children being separated in EU-funded schools, to migrants placed in remote detention centers far from essential services. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

More than a billion euros in EU funding (around $1.1 billion) meant to support inclusion is instead being used to segregate and isolate vulnerable communities across Europe, according to a new report. Eight NGOs across six EU countries have documented dozens of projects they say violate basic human rights — from Roma children being separated in EU-funded schools, to migrants placed in remote detention centers far from essential services. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

NGOs warn EU funds linked to human rights violations

US President Donald Trump described his 90-minute conversation today with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping as "very good."  The call comes as Washington and Beijing have been accusing one another of violating a 90-day trade truce both nations had agreed to three weeks ago. Former US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns discusses the implications with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler.

US President Donald Trump described his 90-minute conversation today with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping as "very good."  The call comes as Washington and Beijing have been accusing one another of violating a 90-day trade truce both nations had agreed to three weeks ago. Former US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns discusses the implications with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler.

Xi and Trump hold phone call, agree to meet in-person

Wildfires are continuing to burn across western and central Canada as the number of people who've been evacuated climbs to more than 30,000. The conditions are hot and dry, similar to what was experienced in 2023, Canada's worst fire season on record. John Vaillant is a journalist and author of the book "Fire Weather." He spoke with The World's Host Carolyn Beeler about how climate change is exacerbating Canada's fire season.

Wildfires are continuing to burn across western and central Canada as the number of people who've been evacuated climbs to more than 30,000. The conditions are hot and dry, similar to what was experienced in 2023, Canada's worst fire season on record. John Vaillant is a journalist and author of the book "Fire Weather." He spoke with The World's Host Carolyn Beeler about how climate change is exacerbating Canada's fire season.

Canadian wildfires continue to burn

Very secular France saw a 46% jump in adult baptisms this past Easter. It's the largest increase in the 20 years that baptism numbers have been recorded. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler puts the numbers into historical perspective and the discusses the reasons younger people in France may be joining the Catholic Church with Charles Collins, managing editor of the Catholic news site CruxNow.com.

Very secular France saw a 46% jump in adult baptisms this past Easter. It's the largest increase in the 20 years that baptism numbers have been recorded. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler puts the numbers into historical perspective and the discusses the reasons younger people in France may be joining the Catholic Church with Charles Collins, managing editor of the Catholic news site CruxNow.com.

What does the rise in adult baptisms in France mean?

Torrential rains hit the town of Mokwa in Niger State, Nigeria, last week. More than 200 people have died, hundreds more are missing and an estimated 3,000 people have been displaced. Judith Leveillee heads UNICEF Nigeria's field operations and emergency response. She spoke with host Carolyn Beeler from Abuja.

Torrential rains hit the town of Mokwa in Niger State, Nigeria, last week. More than 200 people have died, hundreds more are missing and an estimated 3,000 people have been displaced. Judith Leveillee heads UNICEF Nigeria's field operations and emergency response. She spoke with host Carolyn Beeler from Abuja.

Flooding in Nigeria kills hundreds of people, displaces thousands, at start of rainy season

Developers of genetically modified seeds hope to boost production and prevent crop diseases in countries hit the hardest by climate change. But farmers on the ground in Kenya have big concerns. The World's Durrie Bouscaren reports.

Developers of genetically modified seeds hope to boost production and prevent crop diseases in countries hit the hardest by climate change. But farmers on the ground in Kenya have big concerns. The World's Durrie Bouscaren reports.

Farmers are concerned as Kenyan courts consider import of genetically modified seeds

Images of candles, flowers or a single banana in front of four apples in a line. These are among the images that are being erased from the internet in China today. That's because it's June 4, and also the 36th anniversary of the bloody crackdown in Beijing against the massive student-led protests at Tiananmen Square. The Chinese government has never come clean about what happened that day. And after all these years, China goes to extraordinary lengths to suppress just about any online reference to those events. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

Images of candles, flowers or a single banana in front of four apples in a line. These are among the images that are being erased from the internet in China today. That's because it's June 4, and also the 36th anniversary of the bloody crackdown in Beijing against the massive student-led protests at Tiananmen Square. The Chinese government has never come clean about what happened that day. And after all these years, China goes to extraordinary lengths to suppress just about any online reference to those events. The World's Matthew Bell reports.