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.

Hundreds of people are confirmed dead following flash floods that left devastation in dozens of villages in northern Pakistan. Some government authorities have blamed a cloudburst, which is almost impossible to predict; but other agencies say that may not be the case, because there is a lack of data in the region. Host Marco Werman speaks with climate and disaster resiliency expert Fatima Yamin about why the distinction matters and what worries her about the rest of the monsoon season.

Hundreds of people are confirmed dead following flash floods that left devastation in dozens of villages in northern Pakistan. Some government authorities have blamed a cloudburst, which is almost impossible to predict; but other agencies say that may not be the case, because there is a lack of data in the region. Host Marco Werman speaks with climate and disaster resiliency expert Fatima Yamin about why the distinction matters and what worries her about the rest of the monsoon season.

Hundreds dead amid flash flooding in Pakistan

US President Donald Trump said he arranged a meeting between the two bitter enemies, Russia and Ukraine. But it's not clear if a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a realistic possibility anytime soon. The Kremlin is downplaying the idea that a bilateral meeting could take place. Putin has long described Zelenskyy as an illegitimate leader and a puppet of the Western world. In fact, Putin rarely even refers to Zelenskyy by name. Host Marco Werman has more.

US President Donald Trump said he arranged a meeting between the two bitter enemies, Russia and Ukraine. But it's not clear if a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a realistic possibility anytime soon. The Kremlin is downplaying the idea that a bilateral meeting could take place. Putin has long described Zelenskyy as an illegitimate leader and a puppet of the Western world. In fact, Putin rarely even refers to Zelenskyy by name. Host Marco Werman has more.

Moscow is downplaying the prospects of a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting

During the harshest days of Soviet censorship, it was nearly impossible and highly risky to get your hands on Western music. But Soviet people became experts at finding creative, sometimes extraordinary, ways to reprint and share forbidden sounds — using material like old X-ray tapes. Stephen Coates is a London-based audiophile and author of the book, "Bone Music: The History of the X-Ray Underground." He tells Host Marco Werman about the long lost art of making "ribs."

During the harshest days of Soviet censorship, it was nearly impossible and highly risky to get your hands on Western music. But Soviet people became experts at finding creative, sometimes extraordinary, ways to reprint and share forbidden sounds — using material like old X-ray tapes. Stephen Coates is a London-based audiophile and author of the book, "Bone Music: The History of the X-Ray Underground." He tells Host Marco Werman about the long lost art of making "ribs."

'Bone Music': Exploring Soviet-era bootlegs made out of old X-rays

The FDA is advising Walmart customers to throw out certain Great Value brand shrimp products due to possible radioactive contamination. Ken Buesseler, a senior scientist in marine radiochemistry at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a leading voice on radiation levels in seafood, talks with Host Marco Werman about his concerns.

The FDA is advising Walmart customers to throw out certain Great Value brand shrimp products due to possible radioactive contamination. Ken Buesseler, a senior scientist in marine radiochemistry at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a leading voice on radiation levels in seafood, talks with Host Marco Werman about his concerns.

Shrimp recall highlights possible processing and packaging failures

Three physicians from the Dallas, Texas, area are in Gaza, providing medical care to the wounded and ill. Speaking from the Al-Aqsa Hospital compound in Deir al-Balah, Dr. Mohammed Adeel Khaleel, director of orthopedic spine surgery at Medical City Frisco, and Dr. Umar Burney, an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Dallas, tell Host Marco Werman many of the patients they're treating were injured at food distribution sites.

Three physicians from the Dallas, Texas, area are in Gaza, providing medical care to the wounded and ill. Speaking from the Al-Aqsa Hospital compound in Deir al-Balah, Dr. Mohammed Adeel Khaleel, director of orthopedic spine surgery at Medical City Frisco, and Dr. Umar Burney, an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Dallas, tell Host Marco Werman many of the patients they're treating were injured at food distribution sites.

US doctors in Gaza struggle to treat patients injured at food distribution sites

Go to any poetry reading, and you’ll probably encounter "poet voice" — that monotone way of reading with pauses where pauses should not be. A version of poet voice exists in all aesthetic traditions, all schools and all cultures. Sarah Birnbaum reports.

Go to any poetry reading, and you’ll probably encounter "poet voice" — that monotone way of reading with pauses where pauses should not be. A version of poet voice exists in all aesthetic traditions, all schools and all cultures. Sarah Birnbaum reports.

The annoying way some poets read their work — has a name

Israeli troops have reached the outskirts of Gaza City, preparing for its takeover. Israel’s offensive comes at a time when a potential 60-day ceasefire is on the table, which families of the remaining hostages are pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept. Also today, there was an uncharacteristic rebuke from the German government of Israel. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports.

Israeli troops have reached the outskirts of Gaza City, preparing for its takeover. Israel’s offensive comes at a time when a potential 60-day ceasefire is on the table, which families of the remaining hostages are pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept. Also today, there was an uncharacteristic rebuke from the German government of Israel. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports.

The latest on Israel and Gaza

Host Marco Werman remembers composer and musician Jamshied Sharifi. He created a sound that echoed his family's roots in Iran, making it a part of his own work, whether it was for his own ensemble, for Broadway or film.

Host Marco Werman remembers composer and musician Jamshied Sharifi. He created a sound that echoed his family's roots in Iran, making it a part of his own work, whether it was for his own ensemble, for Broadway or film.

Remembering Iranian musician Jamshied Sharifi

The Kiruna Church and its famed belfry are being moved this week along a three-mile route to a new city center. The move is part of Kiruna's relocation, because the world’s largest underground iron-ore mine is threatening to swallow the town. Kiruna is Sweden's northernmost town, at 124 miles above the Arctic Circle. Host Marco Werman has the details.

The Kiruna Church and its famed belfry are being moved this week along a three-mile route to a new city center. The move is part of Kiruna's relocation, because the world’s largest underground iron-ore mine is threatening to swallow the town. Kiruna is Sweden's northernmost town, at 124 miles above the Arctic Circle. Host Marco Werman has the details.

Historic Swedish church being moved 3 miles down the road

Chicago has so many ethnic enclaves — it has Greektown, it has Chinatown. But what happened to the Lake View Japanese American community, and where did it go? The answer is directly tied to a Chicago immigrant experience like no other. Japanese Americans didn’t end up in Chicago of their own accord: The US government forcibly resettled 20,000 of them to the city from World War II incarceration camps. And, as part of that effort, the government pressured them to shed their Japanese identities and assimilate into white society. Katherine Nagasawa reports from WBEZ in Chicago.

Chicago has so many ethnic enclaves — it has Greektown, it has Chinatown. But what happened to the Lake View Japanese American community, and where did it go? The answer is directly tied to a Chicago immigrant experience like no other. Japanese Americans didn’t end up in Chicago of their own accord: The US government forcibly resettled 20,000 of them to the city from World War II incarceration camps. And, as part of that effort, the government pressured them to shed their Japanese identities and assimilate into white society. Katherine Nagasawa reports from WBEZ in Chicago.

Chicago's last Japanese neighborhood

Founded in 2004, the Amawtay Wasi University is the only Indigenous university in Ecuador, and one of only a handful of Indigenous universities across South America. Roughly 2,000 students study there today. It’s goal is not only to help educate Indigenous peoples in Ecuador, but also promote their ancestral knowledge and languages. Michael Fox reports from the capital Quito.

Founded in 2004, the Amawtay Wasi University is the only Indigenous university in Ecuador, and one of only a handful of Indigenous universities across South America. Roughly 2,000 students study there today. It’s goal is not only to help educate Indigenous peoples in Ecuador, but also promote their ancestral knowledge and languages. Michael Fox reports from the capital Quito.

Ecuador's first Indigenous university has proven to be a big hit

China and India are beginning to view each other as possible allies — instead of historic adversaries. It's one of the side-effects of new US trade policy, which includes imposing significant tariffs on both countries. Host Marco Werman speaks with political scientist Sumit Ganguly about the significance of this change.

China and India are beginning to view each other as possible allies — instead of historic adversaries. It's one of the side-effects of new US trade policy, which includes imposing significant tariffs on both countries. Host Marco Werman speaks with political scientist Sumit Ganguly about the significance of this change.

India-China relations enter a new era

Apiwe Nxasani-Mawela launched her craft brewery Tolokazi Beer in 2021 — making her South Africa's first Black female brewery owner. Now, she's teaching the next generation of female brewers how to make their own craft beers, as she tells Host Marco Werman.

Apiwe Nxasani-Mawela launched her craft brewery Tolokazi Beer in 2021 — making her South Africa's first Black female brewery owner. Now, she's teaching the next generation of female brewers how to make their own craft beers, as she tells Host Marco Werman.

South Africa's first Black female brewery owner teaches the next generation of brewers

Fima Chupakhin is a jazz pianist from Ukraine. For the past 10 years, though, he's been living in New York City. Chupakhin hasn't been back in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion, however, he's been a staunch advocate for his home country. In fact, if you're a Ukrainian musician visiting New York for a fundraising concert or any other advocacy event, you've probably met or even performed with Fima Chupakhin. The World's Daniel Ofman reports.

Fima Chupakhin is a jazz pianist from Ukraine. For the past 10 years, though, he's been living in New York City. Chupakhin hasn't been back in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion, however, he's been a staunch advocate for his home country. In fact, if you're a Ukrainian musician visiting New York for a fundraising concert or any other advocacy event, you've probably met or even performed with Fima Chupakhin. The World's Daniel Ofman reports.

Ukrainian jazz pianist serenades his home country from afar

Since 1972, a brotherhood of monks who have left the Greek Orthodox Church have retained control of the Esphigmenou Monastery on Mt. Athos. "Rebel monks" have effectively been squatting in a monastery in the self-governed territory of the church, defying the orders of the Patriarch in Istanbul. Police efforts to evict them have been met with stones and Molotov cocktails. Durrie Bouscaren reports from Istanbul.

Since 1972, a brotherhood of monks who have left the Greek Orthodox Church have retained control of the Esphigmenou Monastery on Mt. Athos. "Rebel monks" have effectively been squatting in a monastery in the self-governed territory of the church, defying the orders of the Patriarch in Istanbul. Police efforts to evict them have been met with stones and Molotov cocktails. Durrie Bouscaren reports from Istanbul.

Tensions simmer as rival brotherhoods lay claim to 10th-century monastery

Bolivia has had one ruling party for more than two decades, and that is coming to an end. Yesterday, Bolivian voters gave an unprecedented rebuke to the Movement Toward Socialism party, or MAS, in a presidential vote. Host Marco Werman has more.

Bolivia has had one ruling party for more than two decades, and that is coming to an end. Yesterday, Bolivian voters gave an unprecedented rebuke to the Movement Toward Socialism party, or MAS, in a presidential vote. Host Marco Werman has more.

Ruling party knocked out of Bolivian election

Ukraine is Russia, and the invasion of Ukraine simply represents the return to an older, fundamental reality. That’s the worldview of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The World’s Marco Werman speaks with Nina Khrushcheva, a professor of international affairs at the New School in New York and the great granddaughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, about the mistrust on both sides of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Ukraine is Russia, and the invasion of Ukraine simply represents the return to an older, fundamental reality. That’s the worldview of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The World’s Marco Werman speaks with Nina Khrushcheva, a professor of international affairs at the New School in New York and the great granddaughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, about the mistrust on both sides of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Russia does have 'legitimate grievances,' says Kremlin analyst

Latin Grammy winner and Brazilian soul icon Liniker has been a musical trailblazer since 2015. Her latest album is Caju. It's a ground-breaking album for the artist, not just musically, but also personally. Liniker speaks to host Carolyn Beeler.

Latin Grammy winner and Brazilian soul icon Liniker has been a musical trailblazer since 2015. Her latest album is Caju. It's a ground-breaking album for the artist, not just musically, but also personally. Liniker speaks to host Carolyn Beeler.

Brazilian soul singer Liniker releases her most personal album yet

Canada's labor relations board said today that the Air Canada strike is illegal and ordered the 10,000 flight attendants back to work. Host Marco Werman has more.

Canada's labor relations board said today that the Air Canada strike is illegal and ordered the 10,000 flight attendants back to work. Host Marco Werman has more.

Air Canada strike continues

Journalist Fatih Atayli is a household name in Turkey — known for his straight-down-the-aisle commentary on his popular YouTube channel. On June 21, he was taken into custody on charges of insulting the Turkish president, and remains one of 17 Turkish journalists currently behind bars. But as Durrie Bouscaren reports from Istanbul, Atayli refuses to be silenced.

Journalist Fatih Atayli is a household name in Turkey — known for his straight-down-the-aisle commentary on his popular YouTube channel. On June 21, he was taken into custody on charges of insulting the Turkish president, and remains one of 17 Turkish journalists currently behind bars. But as Durrie Bouscaren reports from Istanbul, Atayli refuses to be silenced.

The story of Fatih Atayli's empty chair

Globally, plastic producers make more than 400 million tons of plastic each year. But less than 10% is ever recycled. So what happens to the rest? In Indonesia, some of it is burned during the tofu production process. Host Marco Werman speaks with anthropologist Gauri Pathak about why plastic is burned, what it does to human health and how Indonesia and other countries are dealing with plastic imports from countries in the Global North.

Globally, plastic producers make more than 400 million tons of plastic each year. But less than 10% is ever recycled. So what happens to the rest? In Indonesia, some of it is burned during the tofu production process. Host Marco Werman speaks with anthropologist Gauri Pathak about why plastic is burned, what it does to human health and how Indonesia and other countries are dealing with plastic imports from countries in the Global North.

To deal with the inundation of plastic waste, some countries burn it. In Indonesia, the end product is tofu.

Chappell Roan has name-dropped Los Angeles and Tennessee in hit songs of albums past. But on "The Subway," out this month, the pop star mentions a Canadian province. Now, that province is getting a bit of a boost from the singer's fans. The World's Bianca Hillier has the story.

Chappell Roan has name-dropped Los Angeles and Tennessee in hit songs of albums past. But on "The Subway," out this month, the pop star mentions a Canadian province. Now, that province is getting a bit of a boost from the singer's fans. The World's Bianca Hillier has the story.

The 'Midwest Princess' sets her sights up north in new song

Thousands of ancient texts returned to Timbuktu, a historical center of learning in West Africa. The manuscripts were smuggled out of the city over a decade ago as al-Qaeda affiliates took over and destroyed much of the city's UNESCO World Heritage site. Host Marco Werman speaks with analyst Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Sahel program, which is based in the Malian capital Bamako.

Thousands of ancient texts returned to Timbuktu, a historical center of learning in West Africa. The manuscripts were smuggled out of the city over a decade ago as al-Qaeda affiliates took over and destroyed much of the city's UNESCO World Heritage site. Host Marco Werman speaks with analyst Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Sahel program, which is based in the Malian capital Bamako.

Mali returns precious documents to Timbuktu, projecting normalcy amid instability

Negotiations for a global treaty to regulate plastic have stalled out in Geneva. So where does that leave us on a global effort to reduce the amount of plastic in our environment and even our bodies? Host Marco Werman discusses the state of the world's plastic problem and the inadequacy of current interventions with Amy Youngman, legal and policy analyst for the Environmental Investigations Agency.

Negotiations for a global treaty to regulate plastic have stalled out in Geneva. So where does that leave us on a global effort to reduce the amount of plastic in our environment and even our bodies? Host Marco Werman discusses the state of the world's plastic problem and the inadequacy of current interventions with Amy Youngman, legal and policy analyst for the Environmental Investigations Agency.

Treaty negotiations have collapsed, but the plastics problem demands solutions

For almost two years, Palestinians in Gaza have been recording everything – some as trained journalists, others as citizen journalists. They're documenting what's happening all around them, recording as much as possible in case their version of events is called into question. But it's more than that, too: they're also making sure the world knows they existed. The World’s Shirin Jaafari explains.

For almost two years, Palestinians in Gaza have been recording everything – some as trained journalists, others as citizen journalists. They're documenting what's happening all around them, recording as much as possible in case their version of events is called into question. But it's more than that, too: they're also making sure the world knows they existed. The World’s Shirin Jaafari explains.

'Tell the world I was here': Documenting life in Gaza

Crate diggers are a passionate bunch, and with websites like Discogs and eBay, they've got something of a global network. Jayesh Veralkar is a part of it. He's a record collector in Dubai and co-founder of Vinyl Souk, a grassroots organization for record collectors in the United Arab Emirates. Host Marco Werman chats with Veralkar about what makes the scene unique, and they play some great music while they're at it.

Crate diggers are a passionate bunch, and with websites like Discogs and eBay, they've got something of a global network. Jayesh Veralkar is a part of it. He's a record collector in Dubai and co-founder of Vinyl Souk, a grassroots organization for record collectors in the United Arab Emirates. Host Marco Werman chats with Veralkar about what makes the scene unique, and they play some great music while they're at it.

The vinyl-collecting scene in Dubai

Ahead of today's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rolled up to the conference wearing a sweatshirt plastered with the letters "C-C-C-P." That's "U-S-S-R," written in the Cyrillic alphabet. It was Lavrov's cheeky way of reminding people that Ukraine was once a Soviet state. Coincidentally last week, two other former Soviet states in longstanding conflict just signed a peace declaration: Armenia and Azerbaijan. As Dorian Jones reports for our partners at Deutsche Welle, that agreement has big implications for Russia and for Turkey.

Ahead of today's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rolled up to the conference wearing a sweatshirt plastered with the letters "C-C-C-P." That's "U-S-S-R," written in the Cyrillic alphabet. It was Lavrov's cheeky way of reminding people that Ukraine was once a Soviet state. Coincidentally last week, two other former Soviet states in longstanding conflict just signed a peace declaration: Armenia and Azerbaijan. As Dorian Jones reports for our partners at Deutsche Welle, that agreement has big implications for Russia and for Turkey.

A peace deal for Armenia and Azerbaijan has far-reaching implications

In the south of Thailand, the dialect is faster, the sun is hotter and the food is not just spicy... it’s atomic. Reporter Patrick Winn visited a small-town cook who makes a curry soup that people travel from afar to taste. It's got a special ingredient — big, gooey eggs from giant catfish. This story originally aired in the wintertime, but the soup is a delicacy for every season.

In the south of Thailand, the dialect is faster, the sun is hotter and the food is not just spicy... it’s atomic. Reporter Patrick Winn visited a small-town cook who makes a curry soup that people travel from afar to taste. It's got a special ingredient — big, gooey eggs from giant catfish. This story originally aired in the wintertime, but the soup is a delicacy for every season.

Spicy Thai soup with a twist: Big, gooey fish eggs

Today marks 80 year since Japan surrendered to allied forces — including China — at the end of World War II. Decades later, China-Japan relations are as complex as ever. Competition between the US and China has grown, and now Japan is caught in the middle. Daisuke Kawai offered a perspective on those dynamics, in conversation with Host Marco Werman. Kawai is Director of the Economic Security and Policy Innovation Program at the University of Tokyo.

Today marks 80 year since Japan surrendered to allied forces — including China — at the end of World War II. Decades later, China-Japan relations are as complex as ever. Competition between the US and China has grown, and now Japan is caught in the middle. Daisuke Kawai offered a perspective on those dynamics, in conversation with Host Marco Werman. Kawai is Director of the Economic Security and Policy Innovation Program at the University of Tokyo.

How Japan and China get along, 80 years after V-J Day

Over 8 million people were lifted out of poverty in Mexico in recent years, according to new government statistics. The roughly 18% reduction has been credited, in part, to the policies of the country's previous administration under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Viri Ríos of Mexico Decoded joined Host Marco Werman to discuss the findings.

Over 8 million people were lifted out of poverty in Mexico in recent years, according to new government statistics. The roughly 18% reduction has been credited, in part, to the policies of the country's previous administration under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Viri Ríos of Mexico Decoded joined Host Marco Werman to discuss the findings.