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.

As the November election approaches, more politicians are including the US border with Mexico in their talking points. KPBS reporter Gustavo Solis discusses political rhetoric around immigration taking a turn toward extremes.

As the November election approaches, more politicians are including the US border with Mexico in their talking points. KPBS reporter Gustavo Solis discusses political rhetoric around immigration taking a turn toward extremes.

Invasion rhetoric is all the rage 

Reliable statistics tallying civilian deaths in Gaza’s conflict are unavailable. But there’s ample evidence highlighting the deep desperation of the territory’s children, says UNICEF spokesperson James Elder. Elder has been traveling through north and central Gaza, and speaks with The World’s Marco Werman from Rafah.

Reliable statistics tallying civilian deaths in Gaza’s conflict are unavailable. But there’s ample evidence highlighting the deep desperation of the territory’s children, says UNICEF spokesperson James Elder. Elder has been traveling through north and central Gaza, and speaks with The World’s Marco Werman from Rafah.

'A lethal lack of water' for Gaza's children

Thousands of people are still displaced following an earthquake in Isekawa province in Japan on Jan. 1 of this year. The epicenter of the quake was on the Noto Peninsula, an area known for its traditional crafts, including a distinct style of lacquered tableware and teaware made in the town of Wajima. The earthquake triggered a fire in Wajima, and lacquerware craftspeople lost workshops full of specialized tools. Hannah Kirshner caught up with some of these artisans in the nearby town of Yamanaka Onsen, where many have relocated and begun to redefine this centuries-old craft.

Thousands of people are still displaced following an earthquake in Isekawa province in Japan on Jan. 1 of this year. The epicenter of the quake was on the Noto Peninsula, an area known for its traditional crafts, including a distinct style of lacquered tableware and teaware made in the town of Wajima. The earthquake triggered a fire in Wajima, and lacquerware craftspeople lost workshops full of specialized tools. Hannah Kirshner caught up with some of these artisans in the nearby town of Yamanaka Onsen, where many have relocated and begun to redefine this centuries-old craft.

Lacquer crafts artist still displaced by earthquake in Japan

Wahat al-Salam (Arabic) or Neve Shalom (Hebrew) translates to "Oasis of Peace." It's an intentional, cooperative community that sits in the Israeli countryside, about halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Its residents are half Jewish, and half Arab. So, what is this community (which was founded in 1969 -- just two years after the Six Day War)? Who lives there, what is their socio-political experiment, is it successful, and what does it mean to be living in this community at this moment of extraordinarily heightened tension? There is a family at Neve Shalom with a Palestinian Muslim father whose family was displaced during the Nakba, and a European Jewish mother whose relatives are settlers in the West Bank. Their children are a complicated mix of the displaced and the displacers. I believe I can get access to this family to anchor the story.

Wahat al-Salam (Arabic) or Neve Shalom (Hebrew) translates to "Oasis of Peace." It's an intentional, cooperative community that sits in the Israeli countryside, about halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Its residents are half Jewish, and half Arab. So, what is this community (which was founded in 1969 -- just two years after the Six Day War)? Who lives there, what is their socio-political experiment, is it successful, and what does it mean to be living in this community at this moment of extraordinarily heightened tension? There is a family at Neve Shalom with a Palestinian Muslim father whose family was displaced during the Nakba, and a European Jewish mother whose relatives are settlers in the West Bank. Their children are a complicated mix of the displaced and the displacers. I believe I can get access to this family to anchor the story.

Oasis of peace 

"A punch in the jaw that hurts the drug lords." That's how a German state justice minister described a massive cocaine bust on Monday in Duesseldorf. Investigators there said they seized 39 tons of cocaine worth $2.78 billion, making it the biggest-ever cocaine find in the country. Host Marco Werman has more.

"A punch in the jaw that hurts the drug lords." That's how a German state justice minister described a massive cocaine bust on Monday in Duesseldorf. Investigators there said they seized 39 tons of cocaine worth $2.78 billion, making it the biggest-ever cocaine find in the country. Host Marco Werman has more.

Germany's biggest-ever cocaine bust 

Classic American folk tunes meet beloved ragas from India. Turns out, there's a lot in common between these two music traditions as Falguni Shah, lead vocalist for the band American Patchwork Quartet, tells host Marco Werman.

Classic American folk tunes meet beloved ragas from India. Turns out, there's a lot in common between these two music traditions as Falguni Shah, lead vocalist for the band American Patchwork Quartet, tells host Marco Werman.

Weaving traditional melodies with the American Patchwork Quartet

Nearly 100 countries and organizations, half from Europe, attended the Swiss-hosted Ukraine peace summit over the weekend. Not surprisingly, Russia did not attend. Host Marco Werman, speaks to The World's Daniel Ofman, who joins him from Riga, Latvia.

Nearly 100 countries and organizations, half from Europe, attended the Swiss-hosted Ukraine peace summit over the weekend. Not surprisingly, Russia did not attend. Host Marco Werman, speaks to The World's Daniel Ofman, who joins him from Riga, Latvia.

Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland

An Indian man accused in a murder-for-hire plot pleaded not guilty in New York City on Monday. US prosecutors announced in November that a sting operation had thwarted a plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Pannun is a Sikh separatist, and is considered a terrorist by the Indian government. Host Marco Werman has more details.

An Indian man accused in a murder-for-hire plot pleaded not guilty in New York City on Monday. US prosecutors announced in November that a sting operation had thwarted a plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Pannun is a Sikh separatist, and is considered a terrorist by the Indian government. Host Marco Werman has more details.

Not guilty pleas in Sikh murder-for-hire plot

It's out with the old, in with the new. China has promised to loan Adelaide Zoo a new pair of Giant Pandas to replace Wang Wang and Fu Ni. The World's Marco Werman wonders how the pandas are taking it.

It's out with the old, in with the new. China has promised to loan Adelaide Zoo a new pair of Giant Pandas to replace Wang Wang and Fu Ni. The World's Marco Werman wonders how the pandas are taking it.

Panda diplomacy: Beijing offers new pair after Australia's pandas fail to breed

In joint press conference on Friday, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, and Samantha Power, the head of USAID, urged the world to wake up to the crisis in Sudan. Birhanu Waka is the Sudan country director for Medical Teams International and speaks with host Marco Werman about the challenge of delivering medical care to crisis areas.

In joint press conference on Friday, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, and Samantha Power, the head of USAID, urged the world to wake up to the crisis in Sudan. Birhanu Waka is the Sudan country director for Medical Teams International and speaks with host Marco Werman about the challenge of delivering medical care to crisis areas.

Crisis in Sudan continues to worsen

A country where the Holocaust killed three-quarters of its Jewish population reflects on that dark chapter from the past with a National Holocaust Museum. But a prominent speaker at the public launch of the memorial site in the Netherlands sparked protests. The World's Europe correspondent Orla Barry reports from Amsterdam.

A country where the Holocaust killed three-quarters of its Jewish population reflects on that dark chapter from the past with a National Holocaust Museum. But a prominent speaker at the public launch of the memorial site in the Netherlands sparked protests. The World's Europe correspondent Orla Barry reports from Amsterdam.

Reckoning with the past in the Netherlands

While in Italy to meet with leaders of the G7, Pope Francis convened a meeting with an unexpected audience: comedians. More than 100 of them, from 15 different countries, validated the importance of their craft in tumultuous times. Host Carol Hills discusses the papal take on comedy with James Geary, a scholar of humor, as well as Debra DiGiovanni, a Canadian comedian based in Los Angeles.

While in Italy to meet with leaders of the G7, Pope Francis convened a meeting with an unexpected audience: comedians. More than 100 of them, from 15 different countries, validated the importance of their craft in tumultuous times. Host Carol Hills discusses the papal take on comedy with James Geary, a scholar of humor, as well as Debra DiGiovanni, a Canadian comedian based in Los Angeles.

Pope Francis sees value in comedy

The Celtics are in the NBA finals, and one of the team's most impactful players is Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis. Fans in Latvia are rooting for him to become the first Latvian NBA champion. The World's Daniel Ofman reports from Riga, Latvia.

The Celtics are in the NBA finals, and one of the team's most impactful players is Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis. Fans in Latvia are rooting for him to become the first Latvian NBA champion. The World's Daniel Ofman reports from Riga, Latvia.

Latvian NBA fans rooting for Porzingis

In Qatar, life revolves around managing the summer heat — and the country has even begun to cool outdoor public spaces. Opened in 2022, Umm al-Seneem Park has the world's longest air-conditioned outdoor walking track. The World’s Durrie Bouscaren takes it for a spin.

In Qatar, life revolves around managing the summer heat — and the country has even begun to cool outdoor public spaces. Opened in 2022, Umm al-Seneem Park has the world's longest air-conditioned outdoor walking track. The World’s Durrie Bouscaren takes it for a spin.

Amid blistering heat, Doha air conditions the outdoors

One pervasive idea about gamers is that they never leave their basements to “touch grass” outdoors. But many people say that's simply not true, while a new project in the UK seeks to prove it. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

One pervasive idea about gamers is that they never leave their basements to “touch grass” outdoors. But many people say that's simply not true, while a new project in the UK seeks to prove it. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

Project seeks to show that gamers do, in fact, 'touch grass'

The US Navy has sent at least one anti-submarine aircraft to the Caribbean and has three destroyers patrolling in the waters around Cuba following the arrival of Russian military ships there. But there's no cause for alarm. Host Carol Hills speaks with Dara Massicot at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about what is being seen as a routine Russian training exercise.

The US Navy has sent at least one anti-submarine aircraft to the Caribbean and has three destroyers patrolling in the waters around Cuba following the arrival of Russian military ships there. But there's no cause for alarm. Host Carol Hills speaks with Dara Massicot at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about what is being seen as a routine Russian training exercise.

US responds to Russian ships in Cuba

For the last month, parts of the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have remained underwater. Many residents have been in constant contact with the flood waters, from the intense days of rescue following the torrential rains, until today. But those waters, mixed with sewage, contaminants and the wreckage of the cities, have also carried a more invisible danger: leptospirosis. Michael Fox reports from the city of Porto Alegre on how that and other diseases remain a threat to people in the region.

For the last month, parts of the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have remained underwater. Many residents have been in constant contact with the flood waters, from the intense days of rescue following the torrential rains, until today. But those waters, mixed with sewage, contaminants and the wreckage of the cities, have also carried a more invisible danger: leptospirosis. Michael Fox reports from the city of Porto Alegre on how that and other diseases remain a threat to people in the region.

In the wake of Brazil's floods, infectious diseases take lives

Three foreign judges in Hong Kong's top court have have resigned. One to spend more time with her family, and the other two because they believe Hong Kong's judiciary can no longer operate independently. The problem, they say, is China's national security law it passed in Hong Kong which allows the Chinese mainland government to intervene in cases of "secession" and "subversion," among other violations. In practice, it's been used to crack down on free speech and dissent, according to human rights experts. The World's host Carol Hills talks with Tom Grundy, editor-in-chief of the Hong Kong Free Press, about the judges who have resigned.

Three foreign judges in Hong Kong's top court have have resigned. One to spend more time with her family, and the other two because they believe Hong Kong's judiciary can no longer operate independently. The problem, they say, is China's national security law it passed in Hong Kong which allows the Chinese mainland government to intervene in cases of "secession" and "subversion," among other violations. In practice, it's been used to crack down on free speech and dissent, according to human rights experts. The World's host Carol Hills talks with Tom Grundy, editor-in-chief of the Hong Kong Free Press, about the judges who have resigned.

Foreign judges at the top of Hong Kong's judiciary resign

The death of poet Mohammad Shabani, an Iranian dissident living in Turkey, catches his friends, family and supporters by surprise. Reporter Fariba Nawa finds one of Shabani's confidantes and learns new details about his life in exile before he died. This is the third episode of "Lethal Dissent," an investigative series from The World and the "On Spec Podcast."

The death of poet Mohammad Shabani, an Iranian dissident living in Turkey, catches his friends, family and supporters by surprise. Reporter Fariba Nawa finds one of Shabani's confidantes and learns new details about his life in exile before he died. This is the third episode of "Lethal Dissent," an investigative series from The World and the "On Spec Podcast."

The final years and months of an Iranian dissident in Turkey

In South Korea, private education designed to prepare students for college in the US is in high demand. It's also expensive. That's on top of a booming study abroad consultancy industry that helps students shine in college application materials. For The World, Jason Strother talks to a family near Seoul about pressure to participate in that system and escalating price tags.

In South Korea, private education designed to prepare students for college in the US is in high demand. It's also expensive. That's on top of a booming study abroad consultancy industry that helps students shine in college application materials. For The World, Jason Strother talks to a family near Seoul about pressure to participate in that system and escalating price tags.

Students in South Korea prepare for college in the US

Russian authorities announced today that a US reporter detained there will stand trial on espionage charges. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in March 2023. As host Marco Werman explains, Gershkovich, his employer and the US State Department all defend him as wrongly accused.

Russian authorities announced today that a US reporter detained there will stand trial on espionage charges. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in March 2023. As host Marco Werman explains, Gershkovich, his employer and the US State Department all defend him as wrongly accused.

Jailed US journalist to stand trial in Russia

An accused murderer, a serial rapist and a drug smuggler are among the criminals who were granted visas to remain in Australia, a result of a new immigration policy drafted to appease New Zealand. The World's Sarah Birnbaum reports from Sydney.

An accused murderer, a serial rapist and a drug smuggler are among the criminals who were granted visas to remain in Australia, a result of a new immigration policy drafted to appease New Zealand. The World's Sarah Birnbaum reports from Sydney.

Australia's immigration policy spared criminals deportation

Taylor Swift concerts in Edinburgh this week shook the ground so much that seismic activity was recorded at nearby monitoring stations. Swift isn't the only celebrity to generate earthquake-level excitement in fans. When soccer star Lionel Messi scores goals, his fans also erupt into seismic cheers. Host Marco Werman has more on celebrities whose popularity sets the earth aquiver.

Taylor Swift concerts in Edinburgh this week shook the ground so much that seismic activity was recorded at nearby monitoring stations. Swift isn't the only celebrity to generate earthquake-level excitement in fans. When soccer star Lionel Messi scores goals, his fans also erupt into seismic cheers. Host Marco Werman has more on celebrities whose popularity sets the earth aquiver.

Taylor Swift concerts in Scotland set off earthquakes

A new law in Japan will see refugees deported if they re-apply for asylum and get turned down. It's an interesting move for a country already known for its exceptionally restrictive immigration and asylum policies. Host Marco Werman speaks with Jefferson R. Plantilla, a lawyer and researcher in Japan, about the country's approach to this issue.

A new law in Japan will see refugees deported if they re-apply for asylum and get turned down. It's an interesting move for a country already known for its exceptionally restrictive immigration and asylum policies. Host Marco Werman speaks with Jefferson R. Plantilla, a lawyer and researcher in Japan, about the country's approach to this issue.

Japan makes changes that affect asylum-seekers

A growing number of governments in Latin America are aligning themselves with Palestinians, and distancing themselves from Israel. In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro cut off diplomatic ties with Israel earlier this month. But there's a price to pay for cutting ties with Israel, as reporter Manuel Rueda reports.

A growing number of governments in Latin America are aligning themselves with Palestinians, and distancing themselves from Israel. In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro cut off diplomatic ties with Israel earlier this month. But there's a price to pay for cutting ties with Israel, as reporter Manuel Rueda reports.

Support for Palestine grows in Latin American countries

Hezbollah, the Shia militant group based in southern Lebanon, says Israel has killed about 340 of its fighters since Oct. 7. The World's Shirin Jaafari attends a funeral for a Hezbollah fighter who was killed this week and speaks with mourners about the goals of what some see as a "resistance movement."

Hezbollah, the Shia militant group based in southern Lebanon, says Israel has killed about 340 of its fighters since Oct. 7. The World's Shirin Jaafari attends a funeral for a Hezbollah fighter who was killed this week and speaks with mourners about the goals of what some see as a "resistance movement."

As Hezbollah buries its fighters, supporters say they are defiant

Haiti’s new government selected cabinet ministers this week, as it awaits the arrival of a long-delayed Kenyan security force designed to assist its embattled police. Journalist Widlore Mérancourt in Port-au-Prince tells The World’s host Marco Werman that he fears Haiti's new leaders lack coherent plans to restore order.

Haiti’s new government selected cabinet ministers this week, as it awaits the arrival of a long-delayed Kenyan security force designed to assist its embattled police. Journalist Widlore Mérancourt in Port-au-Prince tells The World’s host Marco Werman that he fears Haiti's new leaders lack coherent plans to restore order.

Haiti's new leaders vow to take on gangs

Afghanistan's wild and mountainous Wakhan Corridor is home to the rare snow leopard and to a human culture that has gone unchanged for centuries. Host Marco Werman speaks with National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek, about his trek through this isolated alpine wilderness.

Afghanistan's wild and mountainous Wakhan Corridor is home to the rare snow leopard and to a human culture that has gone unchanged for centuries. Host Marco Werman speaks with National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek, about his trek through this isolated alpine wilderness.

Out of Eden Walk: Traversing Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor

At a summit in southern Italy, G7 nations have agreed to provide Ukraine with a loan of $50 billion for weapons and rebuilding. Host Marco Werman teases out the message these leaders are trying to send to Ukraine in a conversation with Edward Fishman of Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. He's the author of the forthcoming book "Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare."

At a summit in southern Italy, G7 nations have agreed to provide Ukraine with a loan of $50 billion for weapons and rebuilding. Host Marco Werman teases out the message these leaders are trying to send to Ukraine in a conversation with Edward Fishman of Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. He's the author of the forthcoming book "Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare."

G7 promises Ukraine a $50 billion loan

Once again, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are deteriorating. Aaron David Miller is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment. He advised six American presidents on the Middle East. He talks with The World's host Marco Werman about what's standing in the way of an agreement.

Once again, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are deteriorating. Aaron David Miller is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment. He advised six American presidents on the Middle East. He talks with The World's host Marco Werman about what's standing in the way of an agreement.