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.

With former President Bashar al-Assad ousted from power, comedians in Syria see a new moment for their art form. They have been putting together shows at cafes and clubs across Damascus. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports on how these comedians are telling jokes that were unthinkable under the former regime.This story originally aired on May 30, 2025.

With former President Bashar al-Assad ousted from power, comedians in Syria see a new moment for their art form. They have been putting together shows at cafes and clubs across Damascus. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports on how these comedians are telling jokes that were unthinkable under the former regime.
This story originally aired on May 30, 2025.

Syrian comedians embrace a new era with more freedoms

A series of videos brings together climate scientists and comedians from the UK. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Nick Oldridge and Ben Carey, two of the producers of "Climate Science Translated," a project that uses snark, whimsy and irreverence to communicate the serious issues around climate change.This story originally aired on Nov. 3, 2023.

A series of videos brings together climate scientists and comedians from the UK. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Nick Oldridge and Ben Carey, two of the producers of "Climate Science Translated," a project that uses snark, whimsy and irreverence to communicate the serious issues around climate change.
This story originally aired on Nov. 3, 2023.

Climate science translators

Ukrainian comic Anton Tymoshenko is based in Kyiv, and since the start of the war in Ukraine, he's begun performing in both Ukrainian and English. Amid a groundswell of comedy in his country, Tymoshenko has managed to cross over to reach a global, English-speaking audience. He says that, for him, comedy is a way to process the war — it's also a defense mechanism, and sometimes a distraction. The World's Daniel Ofman reports.This story originally aired on March 11, 2025.

Ukrainian comic Anton Tymoshenko is based in Kyiv, and since the start of the war in Ukraine, he's begun performing in both Ukrainian and English. Amid a groundswell of comedy in his country, Tymoshenko has managed to cross over to reach a global, English-speaking audience. He says that, for him, comedy is a way to process the war — it's also a defense mechanism, and sometimes a distraction. The World's Daniel Ofman reports.
This story originally aired on March 11, 2025.

For this Ukrainian comic, standup is a defense mechanism

Romesh Ranganathan took a circuitous route to comedy. The son of Sri Lankan immigrants in the UK, he taught high school math for about a decade before abandoning it for a full-time career in entertainment. He does standup, radio shows, podcasts and TV specials. As he started the North American leg of his current Hustle tour, Ranganathan stopped in at The World's studio in Boston for a conversation with Host Carol Hills.This story originally aired on Jan. 17, 2025.

Romesh Ranganathan took a circuitous route to comedy. The son of Sri Lankan immigrants in the UK, he taught high school math for about a decade before abandoning it for a full-time career in entertainment. He does standup, radio shows, podcasts and TV specials. As he started the North American leg of his current Hustle tour, Ranganathan stopped in at The World's studio in Boston for a conversation with Host Carol Hills.
This story originally aired on Jan. 17, 2025.

The comedic journey of Romesh Ranganathan

Learnmore Jonasi, from a small village in Zimbabwe, is making a name for himself on the US comedy scene. And yes, his first name really is Learnmore. Carol Hills speaks with the comedian.This story originally aired on Dec. 6, 2024.

Learnmore Jonasi, from a small village in Zimbabwe, is making a name for himself on the US comedy scene. And yes, his first name really is Learnmore. Carol Hills speaks with the comedian.
This story originally aired on Dec. 6, 2024.

Zimbabwean comedian makes a splash in the US

Meet Daisy, a British AI conversationalist made to sound like an older woman who's not very tech savy. She's been deployed to take up phone scammers' time — and collect information about new scams. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the story.This story originally aired on Nov. 14, 2024.

Meet Daisy, a British AI conversationalist made to sound like an older woman who's not very tech savy. She's been deployed to take up phone scammers' time — and collect information about new scams. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have the story.
This story originally aired on Nov. 14, 2024.

AI bot beats phone scammers at their own game

More than 8 million Venezuelans have fled their country in the past 10 years, and some of them have become comedians and satirists. A 2018 anti-hate law passed by the government of President Nicolas Maduro clamped down on all sorts of speech and made it impossible for them to ply their trade. The World's Tibisay Zea reports on whether there's a distinct Venezuelan sense of humor, and the challenge of punching up at a dictator.This story originally aired on February 24, 2025.

More than 8 million Venezuelans have fled their country in the past 10 years, and some of them have become comedians and satirists. A 2018 anti-hate law passed by the government of President Nicolas Maduro clamped down on all sorts of speech and made it impossible for them to ply their trade. The World's Tibisay Zea reports on whether there's a distinct Venezuelan sense of humor, and the challenge of punching up at a dictator.
This story originally aired on February 24, 2025.

Finding humor as a Venezuelan exile

There are plenty of jokes. And lots of laughs. But the regular Chinese-language open mic events in New York city called "Nuzhizhuyi" — which translates to "feminism" from Mandarin — are not just about stand-up comedy. These get-togethers also serve as a place for activists, students and young professionals to meet, engage in group therapy and share pointed views on life back home in China and here in the United States. The World's Matthew Bell has the story.

There are plenty of jokes. And lots of laughs. But the regular Chinese-language open mic events in New York city called "Nuzhizhuyi" — which translates to "feminism" from Mandarin — are not just about stand-up comedy. These get-togethers also serve as a place for activists, students and young professionals to meet, engage in group therapy and share pointed views on life back home in China and here in the United States. The World's Matthew Bell has the story.

Chinese-language 'open mic' events are about more than just comedy

Sugary soft drinks, candy and highly processed foods are no longer welcome in Mexico’s elementary, middle and high schools. It’s part of an effort to battle one of the world’s worst obesity and diabetes epidemics. Host Carolyn Beeler gets more from Dr. Simón Barquera, Director of the Nutrition and Health Research Center at the National Institute of Public Health, Mexico.This story originally aired on March 31, 2025.

Sugary soft drinks, candy and highly processed foods are no longer welcome in Mexico’s elementary, middle and high schools. It’s part of an effort to battle one of the world’s worst obesity and diabetes epidemics. Host Carolyn Beeler gets more from Dr. Simón Barquera, Director of the Nutrition and Health Research Center at the National Institute of Public Health, Mexico.
This story originally aired on March 31, 2025.

Mexico bans junk food in schools to combat childhood obesity

On Tuesday the European Space Agency (ESA) launched a small bioreactor carrying genetically engineered yeast into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It's part of a larger plan to develop in-space food production systems to serve the International Space Station and future missions to the Moon and Mars. Host Marco Werman speaks with Aqeel Shamsul, CEO of Frontier Space, a UK biotech company that is developing the platform for biotech and biopharma in space.This story originally aired on April 22, 2025.

On Tuesday the European Space Agency (ESA) launched a small bioreactor carrying genetically engineered yeast into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It's part of a larger plan to develop in-space food production systems to serve the International Space Station and future missions to the Moon and Mars. Host Marco Werman speaks with Aqeel Shamsul, CEO of Frontier Space, a UK biotech company that is developing the platform for biotech and biopharma in space.
This story originally aired on April 22, 2025.

Growing food in space

Green tea is a major industry in Shizuoka prefecture, on Japan’s Pacific coast. Over a third of the tea leaves produced in Japan come from Shizuoka. Google “Shizuoka” and you’ll find images of hillsides covered in neat rows of bright-green tea bushes with Mt. Fuji in the background. But that scenery is changing. Reporter Hannah Kirshner headed to Shizuoka to find out why some tea farmers are innovating, and others are calling it quits.This story originally aired on Aug. 27, 2024.

Green tea is a major industry in Shizuoka prefecture, on Japan’s Pacific coast. Over a third of the tea leaves produced in Japan come from Shizuoka. Google “Shizuoka” and you’ll find images of hillsides covered in neat rows of bright-green tea bushes with Mt. Fuji in the background. But that scenery is changing. Reporter Hannah Kirshner headed to Shizuoka to find out why some tea farmers are innovating, and others are calling it quits.
This story originally aired on Aug. 27, 2024.

Green tea farmers struggle for economic survival

The cuisine of Nigeria packs in all kinds of global influences and ingredients: curries from India, sauces from China, spices from Lebanon. They all co-mingle with a particular repertoire of staple ingredients from Nigeria. Food anthropologist and Nigerian native Ozoz Sokoh is out with a cookbook that's being hailed as the first comprehensive guide to home cooking in all six regions of the country. She joins Host Carol Hills for a conversation about the flavors, ingredients and recipes in her book — as well as the culture around eating in Nigeria.This story originally aired on April 11, 2025.

The cuisine of Nigeria packs in all kinds of global influences and ingredients: curries from India, sauces from China, spices from Lebanon. They all co-mingle with a particular repertoire of staple ingredients from Nigeria. Food anthropologist and Nigerian native Ozoz Sokoh is out with a cookbook that's being hailed as the first comprehensive guide to home cooking in all six regions of the country. She joins Host Carol Hills for a conversation about the flavors, ingredients and recipes in her book — as well as the culture around eating in Nigeria.
This story originally aired on April 11, 2025.

New cookbook highlights Nigerian home cooking

Italians looking to avoid "egg-flation" have been flocking to a farm in northern Italy for classes in how to raise hens. Reporter Dany Mitzman from our partner Deutsche Welle, DW, reports from Flori, Italy.This story originally aired on March 26, 2025.

Italians looking to avoid "egg-flation" have been flocking to a farm in northern Italy for classes in how to raise hens. Reporter Dany Mitzman from our partner Deutsche Welle, DW, reports from Flori, Italy.
This story originally aired on March 26, 2025.

More Italians are raising chickens

Cold beet soup is a culinary staple in Latvia and Lithuania, and across Eastern Europe. This year, Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, hosted a "Pink Soup Festival" celebrating the dish. But the city's tourism agency also started a public beef with Latvia, claiming that the Lithuanian version of the soup is better. The World's Daniel Ofman reports from Latvia's capital, Riga.This story originally aired on June 4, 2024.

Cold beet soup is a culinary staple in Latvia and Lithuania, and across Eastern Europe. This year, Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, hosted a "Pink Soup Festival" celebrating the dish. But the city's tourism agency also started a public beef with Latvia, claiming that the Lithuanian version of the soup is better. The World's Daniel Ofman reports from Latvia's capital, Riga.
This story originally aired on June 4, 2024.

The Baltics' beet soup season begins with a beef between Latvia and Lithuania

Styles may vary when it comes to barbecuing, but the basic idea is cooking meat, over fire — low and slow. It's also a culinary tradition with an global history, obviously infused with flavor from around the world. A new cookbook called "Barbecue: Smoked and Grilled Recipes from Across the Globe" explores these traditions. It was compiled by Chef Hugh Mangum with contributions from May Chow, a chef in Hong Kong. Both chefs speak to Host Marco Werman.

Styles may vary when it comes to barbecuing, but the basic idea is cooking meat, over fire — low and slow. It's also a culinary tradition with an global history, obviously infused with flavor from around the world. A new cookbook called "Barbecue: Smoked and Grilled Recipes from Across the Globe" explores these traditions. It was compiled by Chef Hugh Mangum with contributions from May Chow, a chef in Hong Kong. Both chefs speak to Host Marco Werman.

Barbecue from around the globe

Uganda is known for bananas. The tropical fruit grows there, and it's also a major culinary staple in the country. But banana growers in the country struggle to make a living, because of a bumper crop — there can be so many bananas that their monetary value plunges. That has Ugandan entrepreneurs seeking out uses for bananas beyond the culinary. Anita Elash visited some of the factories and farms trying to make a go of new banana products.This story originally aired on April 9, 2025.

Uganda is known for bananas. The tropical fruit grows there, and it's also a major culinary staple in the country. But banana growers in the country struggle to make a living, because of a bumper crop — there can be so many bananas that their monetary value plunges. That has Ugandan entrepreneurs seeking out uses for bananas beyond the culinary. Anita Elash visited some of the factories and farms trying to make a go of new banana products.
This story originally aired on April 9, 2025.

Ugandan farmers see untapped potential in banana crop

Move over fish and olive oil! Try plantain and fermented banana drink. According to a recent study in the journal Nature Medicine, traditional eating habits in rural Africa can boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. The so-called "African heritage diet" has not been explored before, unlike the Mediterranean and Japanese diets, which have been studied and promoted by the global health community for years. Experts say its time to expand what healthy eating looks like, beyond the Euro-centric mindset.This story originally aired on April 22, 2025.

Move over fish and olive oil! Try plantain and fermented banana drink. According to a recent study in the journal Nature Medicine, traditional eating habits in rural Africa can boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. The so-called "African heritage diet" has not been explored before, unlike the Mediterranean and Japanese diets, which have been studied and promoted by the global health community for years. Experts say its time to expand what healthy eating looks like, beyond the Euro-centric mindset.
This story originally aired on April 22, 2025.

Move over Mediterranean diet, there's a different way to stay healthy

The families of a historic apartheid murder case are taking the government and president to court for not investigating and prosecuting the crimes properly. They want nearly $10 million in damages and a public commission to look into how political interference suppressed hundreds of crimes from that era. From Johannesburg, Elna Schutz reports.This story originally aired on Jan. 28, 2025.

The families of a historic apartheid murder case are taking the government and president to court for not investigating and prosecuting the crimes properly. They want nearly $10 million in damages and a public commission to look into how political interference suppressed hundreds of crimes from that era. From Johannesburg, Elna Schutz reports.
This story originally aired on Jan. 28, 2025.

Families sue South African government for apartheid-era killings

Statistically speaking, for every baby born in Japan, two people pass away. The country’s rapidly shrinking population is, according to officials, a “national emergency” threatening its future prosperity and entire way of life. They’re struggling to reverse this trend but some believe fixing this problem calls for a revolution in Japanese fatherhood. The World's Patrick Winn reports with Aya Asakura in Tokyo.This story originally aired on June 5, 2024.

Statistically speaking, for every baby born in Japan, two people pass away. The country’s rapidly shrinking population is, according to officials, a “national emergency” threatening its future prosperity and entire way of life. They’re struggling to reverse this trend but some believe fixing this problem calls for a revolution in Japanese fatherhood. The World's Patrick Winn reports with Aya Asakura in Tokyo.
This story originally aired on June 5, 2024.

The Japanese dads struggling to reform fatherhood

Each May, Mother’s Day is a moment to recognize moms in many countries across the globe. One book follows the lives of four women — in the US, Kenya, Finland and Japan — as they enter a new chapter of life as mothers. In her new book “Four Mothers: An Intimate Journey through the First Year of Parenthood in Four Countries,” journalist Abigail Leonard set out to explore the experience of parenting across cultures. Leonard told The World's Host Carol Hills what she learned by following their lives.This story originally aired on May 9, 2025.

Each May, Mother’s Day is a moment to recognize moms in many countries across the globe. One book follows the lives of four women — in the US, Kenya, Finland and Japan — as they enter a new chapter of life as mothers. In her new book “Four Mothers: An Intimate Journey through the First Year of Parenthood in Four Countries,” journalist Abigail Leonard set out to explore the experience of parenting across cultures. Leonard told The World's Host Carol Hills what she learned by following their lives.
This story originally aired on May 9, 2025.

'Four Mothers' examines motherhood across the globe

In the midst of missiles strikes, air raid sirens and power outages, Ukrainians are finding ways to keep living their lives. That includes searching for — and finding — love. The World’s Carolyn Beeler speaks with people who are dating, moving in together and getting married in wartime Kyiv.This story originally aired on March 14, 2023.

In the midst of missiles strikes, air raid sirens and power outages, Ukrainians are finding ways to keep living their lives. That includes searching for — and finding — love. The World’s Carolyn Beeler speaks with people who are dating, moving in together and getting married in wartime Kyiv.
This story originally aired on March 14, 2023.

Searching for — and finding — love amid war

The 80th anniversary of the Holocaust, Yom Hashoah, was on April 24. There are approximately 245,000 Holocaust survivors still alive today. While there will soon be no living Holocaust survivors, it’s estimated that there are around 1 million third-generation Holocaust survivors in the United States. As The World's Sarah Birnbaum reports, it's falling on them to keep the stories of their grandparents and the Holocaust alive.This story originally aired on April 24, 2025.

The 80th anniversary of the Holocaust, Yom Hashoah, was on April 24. There are approximately 245,000 Holocaust survivors still alive today. While there will soon be no living Holocaust survivors, it’s estimated that there are around 1 million third-generation Holocaust survivors in the United States. As The World's Sarah Birnbaum reports, it's falling on them to keep the stories of their grandparents and the Holocaust alive.
This story originally aired on April 24, 2025.

Keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive

She was once called "the most dangerous woman in Africa.” But Andrée Blouin described herself as an African woman "inflamed by injustice" on a mission to free her continent from colonial rule. She was born in French Equatorial Africa, abandoned at the age of three, escaped an arranged marriage at 15 and became politically active after French officials denied her son medication for malaria, leading to his death. She shares the whole story from her own point of view in her book, “My Country, Africa: Autobiography of the Black Pasionaria." Originally published in 1983, a new edition of the book edited by her daughter, Eve Blouin, came out this year. Host Marco Werman spoke with Eve Blouin about the book and how she remembers her mother.This story originally aired on Jan. 28, 2025.

She was once called "the most dangerous woman in Africa.” But Andrée Blouin described herself as an African woman "inflamed by injustice" on a mission to free her continent from colonial rule. She was born in French Equatorial Africa, abandoned at the age of three, escaped an arranged marriage at 15 and became politically active after French officials denied her son medication for malaria, leading to his death. She shares the whole story from her own point of view in her book, “My Country, Africa: Autobiography of the Black Pasionaria." Originally published in 1983, a new edition of the book edited by her daughter, Eve Blouin, came out this year. Host Marco Werman spoke with Eve Blouin about the book and how she remembers her mother.
This story originally aired on Jan. 28, 2025.

Autobiography examines life of a woman who help lead Africa's independence movements

In January, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan named 2025 as the "Year of the Family," unveiling financial incentives for new parents and urging couples to have at least three children. Over the past two decades, Turkey's fertility rate slid from 2.6 to 1.5 births per woman, a record low that has politicians concerned about an aging workforce. The World's Durrie Bouscaren and local producer Gamze Yilmazel went out to see how this request landed with parents in Istanbul.This story originally aired on February 11, 2025.

In January, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan named 2025 as the "Year of the Family," unveiling financial incentives for new parents and urging couples to have at least three children. Over the past two decades, Turkey's fertility rate slid from 2.6 to 1.5 births per woman, a record low that has politicians concerned about an aging workforce. The World's Durrie Bouscaren and local producer Gamze Yilmazel went out to see how this request landed with parents in Istanbul.
This story originally aired on February 11, 2025.

Turkish government calls on women to have more children, parents shrug

Norton, Massachusetts, hosted one of the state's most unique sporting events last year. The New England Rodeo’s championship brought horse and bull riders of all ages to a small dirt arena tucked away in the southeast corner of the state for glory and a little prize money. GBH’s Esteban Bustillos reports on the group of immigrants who are keeping this sport alive.This story originally aired on Oct. 3, 2024.

Norton, Massachusetts, hosted one of the state's most unique sporting events last year. The New England Rodeo’s championship brought horse and bull riders of all ages to a small dirt arena tucked away in the southeast corner of the state for glory and a little prize money. GBH’s Esteban Bustillos reports on the group of immigrants who are keeping this sport alive.
This story originally aired on Oct. 3, 2024.

Brazilian immigrants keep rodeo alive in Massachusetts

Caster Semenya won her first Olympic gold medal in 2009. But claims that her naturally high levels of testosterone should disqualify her have marred her career. At times, she has been effectively banned from the sport she loves. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Semenya about her new memoir called, "The Race to Be Myself." This story originally aired on Oct. 31, 2023.

Caster Semenya won her first Olympic gold medal in 2009. But claims that her naturally high levels of testosterone should disqualify her have marred her career. At times, she has been effectively banned from the sport she loves. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Semenya about her new memoir called, "The Race to Be Myself." 
This story originally aired on Oct. 31, 2023.

'The race to be myself': New memoir from South African runner Caster Semenya

A collective of female skateboarders in Bolivia has caught the attention of the news media all over the world. That’s partly because of the clothes they wear. But, as The World's Tibisay Zea reports, it’s not just a matter of skateboarding fashion. These Indigenous women are trying to change stereotypes rooted in Bolivian society.This story originally aired on Aug. 12, 2022.

A collective of female skateboarders in Bolivia has caught the attention of the news media all over the world. That’s partly because of the clothes they wear. But, as The World's Tibisay Zea reports, it’s not just a matter of skateboarding fashion. These Indigenous women are trying to change stereotypes rooted in Bolivian society.
This story originally aired on Aug. 12, 2022.

Meet the Indigenous skateboarders breaking stereotypes in Bolivia

ACL tears are an ugly constant in the beautiful game of soccer. The anterior cruciate ligament is located in the knee, and can be torn during stops and starts and sudden changes in direction. The injury plagues teams everywhere, but women are 2-to-6 times more likely to tear their ACLs than men. A new project seeks to find out why. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.This story originally aired on May 8, 2024.

ACL tears are an ugly constant in the beautiful game of soccer. The anterior cruciate ligament is located in the knee, and can be torn during stops and starts and sudden changes in direction. The injury plagues teams everywhere, but women are 2-to-6 times more likely to tear their ACLs than men. A new project seeks to find out why. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.
This story originally aired on May 8, 2024.

'Project ACL' studies women's soccer teams with hopes of reducing knee injuries

Toward the end of September last year, India achieved a historic victory in chess — winning the gold medal in both men's and women's Chess Olympiad in Budapest — considered the Olympics of chess. This double victory, plus four individual goal medals, captured the nation's imagination. As Namrata Kolachalam reports, Chennai has become a global hotspot for chess, and professional-level schools and training programs have exploded in towns and cities. This story originally aired on Nov. 21st, 2024.

Toward the end of September last year, India achieved a historic victory in chess — winning the gold medal in both men's and women's Chess Olympiad in Budapest — considered the Olympics of chess. This double victory, plus four individual goal medals, captured the nation's imagination. As Namrata Kolachalam reports, Chennai has become a global hotspot for chess, and professional-level schools and training programs have exploded in towns and cities. 
This story originally aired on Nov. 21st, 2024.

Can India reclaim its rightful place in the chess world?

Hurling is a national sport in Ireland that dates back centuries. It's also one of the fastest field sports in the world. The wooden sticks known as hurleys that are used in the game are made from ash trees. But a deadly fungal disease is threatening to wipe out ash trees across Ireland and much of the EU. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.This story originally aired on Oct. 3, 2024.

Hurling is a national sport in Ireland that dates back centuries. It's also one of the fastest field sports in the world. The wooden sticks known as hurleys that are used in the game are made from ash trees. But a deadly fungal disease is threatening to wipe out ash trees across Ireland and much of the EU. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.
This story originally aired on Oct. 3, 2024.