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.

The film is called "La Bola Negra," and it just hit US theaters. Álvaro Lafuente plays the lead as a closeted gay soldier during the Spanish Civil War who falls in love with an enemy officer. Lafuente also wrote the movie's main song and could earn a double nomination come Oscar time. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

The film is called "La Bola Negra," and it just hit US theaters. Álvaro Lafuente plays the lead as a closeted gay soldier during the Spanish Civil War who falls in love with an enemy officer. Lafuente also wrote the movie's main song and could earn a double nomination come Oscar time. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

Spanish artist Guitarricadelafuente wins acclaim for acting and songwriting in Spain’s Oscar choice

You might have come across a slightly odd and curiously funny video from Norway recently. In it, Death personiﬁed — cloaked and scythe in hand — helps a character called the Enshi**iﬁcator to shorten the lives of everyday products like clothes and electric toothbrushes. Funny, perhaps, but the message behind it is serious — who is really to blame for our over-consumption? DW reporter Lars Bevanger went to Oslo to meet the people behind the campaign.

You might have come across a slightly odd and curiously funny video from Norway recently. In it, Death personiﬁed — cloaked and scythe in hand — helps a character called the Enshi**iﬁcator to shorten the lives of everyday products like clothes and electric toothbrushes. Funny, perhaps, but the message behind it is serious — who is really to blame for our over-consumption? DW reporter Lars Bevanger went to Oslo to meet the people behind the campaign.

The grim reaper warning on overconsumption

This week, Ukraine faced restrictions on Pentagon-funded Starshield access and US intelligence sharing, hindering its ability to intercept drones and strike Russian targets. The service has reportedly been restored. But retired Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, who directs The Foundation for Defense of Democracies Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation tells The World's Carolyn Beeler the incident brought home to Kyiv how vulnerable it is to decisions by a wavering ally.

This week, Ukraine faced restrictions on Pentagon-funded Starshield access and US intelligence sharing, hindering its ability to intercept drones and strike Russian targets. The service has reportedly been restored. But retired Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, who directs The Foundation for Defense of Democracies Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation tells The World's Carolyn Beeler the incident brought home to Kyiv how vulnerable it is to decisions by a wavering ally.

How a sudden Starlink disruption left Ukraine vulnerable

Archaeologists have discovered what they believe to be the oldest known shipwreck in the world. Estimated to be up to 4,700 years old, the ship's structure has long since decayed. But its cargo of ceramic pots, as well as three stone anchors, remains. And they shed light on the trade routes across the Mediterranean Sea in the ancient world. Carolyn Beeler has more details.

Archaeologists have discovered what they believe to be the oldest known shipwreck in the world. Estimated to be up to 4,700 years old, the ship's structure has long since decayed. But its cargo of ceramic pots, as well as three stone anchors, remains. And they shed light on the trade routes across the Mediterranean Sea in the ancient world. Carolyn Beeler has more details.

World’s oldest shipwreck found near Turkey

Families are returning to southern Lebanon, but the fighting isn't over. Israeli strikes continue, and parts of the south remain under Israeli military control. Some villages have been reduced to rubble, leaving residents with nowhere to return. For those who have made it home, fear and uncertainty are part of everyday life. The World's Shirin Jaafari visits a mobile medical clinic, where healthcare workers are helping people cope with the physical and emotional toll of war.

Families are returning to southern Lebanon, but the fighting isn't over. Israeli strikes continue, and parts of the south remain under Israeli military control. Some villages have been reduced to rubble, leaving residents with nowhere to return. For those who have made it home, fear and uncertainty are part of everyday life. The World's Shirin Jaafari visits a mobile medical clinic, where healthcare workers are helping people cope with the physical and emotional toll of war.

In southern Lebanon, coming home doesn't mean feeling safe

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is on a decades-long project to walk from East Africa to South America. In his 13 years on the road so far, he's been stopped by law enforcement 120 times. Those encounters range from friendly stops to detentions, and everything in between. He has even been logging those stops on an online map. He joined Host Carolyn Beeler to talk about that map, and share stories about his walk-ins with the law. This story first aired on January 22, 2026.

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is on a decades-long project to walk from East Africa to South America. In his 13 years on the road so far, he's been stopped by law enforcement 120 times. Those encounters range from friendly stops to detentions, and everything in between. He has even been logging those stops on an online map. He joined Host Carolyn Beeler to talk about that map, and share stories about his walk-ins with the law. 
This story first aired on January 22, 2026.

When you walk across continents, police take notice

The driest non-polar place on earth, the Atacama Desert, is currently covered with carpets of colorful blossoms. This natural spectacle only happens once or twice every ten years, and three years ago it prompted the Chilean government to name this region a national park. Here, researchers are finding clues to deal with climate change and extremely dry conditions. The World’s Tibisay Zea first reported on this phenomenon in 2022, from the Atacama Desert.This story originally aired on Oct. 17, 2022.

The driest non-polar place on earth, the Atacama Desert, is currently covered with carpets of colorful blossoms. This natural spectacle only happens once or twice every ten years, and three years ago it prompted the Chilean government to name this region a national park. Here, researchers are finding clues to deal with climate change and extremely dry conditions. The World’s Tibisay Zea first reported on this phenomenon in 2022, from the Atacama Desert.
This story originally aired on Oct. 17, 2022.

Chile sees another floral bloom in ‘flowering desert’ national park

An international group of scientists, diplomats and timekeepers today changed the way the world keeps time. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with analyst Steve Allen from UC Santa Cruz Observatories about the elimination of the leap second.

An international group of scientists, diplomats and timekeepers today changed the way the world keeps time. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks with analyst Steve Allen from UC Santa Cruz Observatories about the elimination of the leap second.

Times a’changin’. Literally.

Springtime is normally dry and sunny in Santiago, Chile. But the city has recorded its wettest October on record in the first week of the month when around two inches of rain fell in just a single day. Heavy rainfall high up in the Andes mountains rushed down into Santiago’s Mapocho River, turning it from a sedate flow into a torrent. And among all the chaos, there was one rescue that kept the public riveted for hours, and later became an unlikely global hero as Jane Chambers reports.

Springtime is normally dry and sunny in Santiago, Chile. But the city has recorded its wettest October on record in the first week of the month when around two inches of rain fell in just a single day. Heavy rainfall high up in the Andes mountains rushed down into Santiago’s Mapocho River, turning it from a sedate flow into a torrent. And among all the chaos, there was one rescue that kept the public riveted for hours, and later became an unlikely global hero as Jane Chambers reports.

A stray dog captures Chile's heart

In the 1970s and '80s, Teresa Teng was the big pop star in Asia. The Taiwanese singer released hit after hit, recording in several languages including Mandarin and Japanese. Her untimely death in 1995 at the age of 42, hasn't stopped her fan base from wanting more of her music. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks to Xianda Huang, a superfan and scholar in Chinese pop culture.

In the 1970s and '80s, Teresa Teng was the big pop star in Asia. The Taiwanese singer released hit after hit, recording in several languages including Mandarin and Japanese. Her untimely death in 1995 at the age of 42, hasn't stopped her fan base from wanting more of her music. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks to Xianda Huang, a superfan and scholar in Chinese pop culture.

The enduring legacy of late Taiwanese pop star Teresa Teng

Climate change is reshaping nearly every part of society. And that includes our relationships. Researchers are increasingly understanding how climate change both amplifies loneliness and can build stronger bonds. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with psychologist Samia Ahkter-Khan for The Loneliness Diagnosis, our special series on solutions to loneliness around the world.

Climate change is reshaping nearly every part of society. And that includes our relationships. Researchers are increasingly understanding how climate change both amplifies loneliness and can build stronger bonds. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with psychologist Samia Ahkter-Khan for The Loneliness Diagnosis, our special series on solutions to loneliness around the world.

As the climate changes, loneliness grows

A new musical — with a score by Duncan Sheik and a book by Leah Nanako Winkler, based on a Japanese graphic novel — is opening off-Broadway this week. It's the first Japanese manga to be developed into an American musical, about a woman who feels trapped within her life. Sheik, a Tony Winner for his score to Spring Awakening, died before the dress rehearsals were done. Jeff Lunden reports from New York.

A new musical — with a score by Duncan Sheik and a book by Leah Nanako Winkler, based on a Japanese graphic novel — is opening off-Broadway this week. It's the first Japanese manga to be developed into an American musical, about a woman who feels trapped within her life. Sheik, a Tony Winner for his score to Spring Awakening, died before the dress rehearsals were done. Jeff Lunden reports from New York.

A manga musical hits (off-) Broadway

Houthi fighters are escalating their attacks on Saudi infrastructure and civilians, leaving Riyadh with few easy options. Michael Ratney, former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Biden administration and now a non-resident senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, discusses the implications of rising Houthi clout with The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Houthi fighters are escalating their attacks on Saudi infrastructure and civilians, leaving Riyadh with few easy options. Michael Ratney, former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Biden administration and now a non-resident senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, discusses the implications of rising Houthi clout with The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Houthis, as potent regional force, draw Saudi Arabia deeper into war

Students have marched in cities across Brazil against presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro. They're concerned about potential cuts to higher education. Universities were highly impacted by funding freezes and unprecedented budget cuts under former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio's father, and the son has promised similar austerity measures. It comes in the wake of the first round of the presidential elections, in which Trump-ally Flavio Bolsonaro won by 2% ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Michael Fox reports from Florianopolis, Brazil.

Students have marched in cities across Brazil against presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro. They're concerned about potential cuts to higher education. Universities were highly impacted by funding freezes and unprecedented budget cuts under former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio's father, and the son has promised similar austerity measures. It comes in the wake of the first round of the presidential elections, in which Trump-ally Flavio Bolsonaro won by 2% ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Michael Fox reports from Florianopolis, Brazil.

Brazilian students protest Flavio Bolsonaro's promised education cuts

At least seven students from the Autonomous University of Morelos have been murdered since 2025, including five young women. The killings have sparked protests and renewed demands for better protection. Across Mexico, female university students face sexual harassment, fear of disappearing and obstacles to reporting abuse. As universities introduce new security measures and complaint procedures, students and researchers question whether enough is being done to prevent violence and hold perpetrators accountable. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

At least seven students from the Autonomous University of Morelos have been murdered since 2025, including five young women. The killings have sparked protests and renewed demands for better protection. Across Mexico, female university students face sexual harassment, fear of disappearing and obstacles to reporting abuse. As universities introduce new security measures and complaint procedures, students and researchers question whether enough is being done to prevent violence and hold perpetrators accountable. The World's Tibisay Zea reports.

A wave of student killings raises safety concerns at Mexican universities

A trial is beginning for a Ukrainian national charged with sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline. Prosecutors allege the Ukrainian, named during the trial only as Serhii K., acted on behalf of "state agencies of Ukraine.” The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with The Wall Street Journal’s Bojan Pancevski, the author of "The Nord Stream Conspiracy: The Inside Story of the Explosions That Shook the World," about the implications of the trial.

A trial is beginning for a Ukrainian national charged with sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline. Prosecutors allege the Ukrainian, named during the trial only as Serhii K., acted on behalf of "state agencies of Ukraine.” The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with The Wall Street Journal’s Bojan Pancevski, the author of "The Nord Stream Conspiracy: The Inside Story of the Explosions That Shook the World," about the implications of the trial.

Nord Stream trial puts Germany in delicate position

Fires have been blazing across vast stretches of forest throughout Indonesia. This is causing hazardous emissions to ⁠surge, particularly in the hardest-hit provinces on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. This year’s wildfire season is the most intense in 11 years as “super-El Niño” weather conditions drive up temperatures and cause punishing droughts. Naina Rao reports from Jakarta.

Fires have been blazing across vast stretches of forest throughout Indonesia. This is causing hazardous emissions to ⁠surge, particularly in the hardest-hit provinces on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. This year’s wildfire season is the most intense in 11 years as “super-El Niño” weather conditions drive up temperatures and cause punishing droughts. Naina Rao reports from Jakarta.

Indonesian wildfire season is worst in more than a decade

Conservationists in Indonesia who have spent years replanting the country's forests are now watching that work burn. Wildfires have surged for months, spreading smoke across the region. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Nur Febriani, with the reforestation group ASRI, about what's been lost.

Conservationists in Indonesia who have spent years replanting the country's forests are now watching that work burn. Wildfires have surged for months, spreading smoke across the region. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Nur Febriani, with the reforestation group ASRI, about what's been lost.

Indonesia's wildfires burning reforested areas

Formula One has announced a 10-year deal to hold the Africa Grand Prix in Rwanda. The initial event would be the continent's first F1 race since 1993. F1 says a purpose-built circuit could be completed “early in the next decade,” about 25 miles from the capital, Kigali. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has the story.

Formula One has announced a 10-year deal to hold the Africa Grand Prix in Rwanda. The initial event would be the continent's first F1 race since 1993. F1 says a purpose-built circuit could be completed “early in the next decade,” about 25 miles from the capital, Kigali. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has the story.

Formula One: First African Grand Prix in three decades will be in Rwanda

Nepal's government is ending its active search for the more than 5,000 people still missing from August's catastrophic flooding. The country is now moving into a "rehabilitation" phase, though any remains discovered in that process will be recovered. Dharam Uprety, head of Nepal's disaster management agency, tells The World's Host Carolyn Beeler that while the government is resettling victims, it will not rebuild where towns were destroyed.

Nepal's government is ending its active search for the more than 5,000 people still missing from August's catastrophic flooding. The country is now moving into a "rehabilitation" phase, though any remains discovered in that process will be recovered. Dharam Uprety, head of Nepal's disaster management agency, tells The World's Host Carolyn Beeler that while the government is resettling victims, it will not rebuild where towns were destroyed.

Nepal suspends search for more than 5,000 flood victims

In her new book, "The Best Kind of American," Lebanese journalist Kim Ghattas investigates the 1984 murder of Malcolm Kerr, president of the American University of Beirut, and explores how his assassination connects Lebanon’s turbulent past to the Middle East's current crises. Ghattas and The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler consider key junctures in 1980s Lebanon and discuss how the small country became an arena for so many competing forces.

In her new book, "The Best Kind of American," Lebanese journalist Kim Ghattas investigates the 1984 murder of Malcolm Kerr, president of the American University of Beirut, and explores how his assassination connects Lebanon’s turbulent past to the Middle East's current crises. Ghattas and The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler consider key junctures in 1980s Lebanon and discuss how the small country became an arena for so many competing forces.

The Beirut assassination that foreshadowed today's Middle East crisis

After nearly 30 years together, one of Norway’s biggest musical acts is calling it quits. The hip-hop duo Karpe announced earlier this year that they’ll retire in 2028, following one final tour. But for a generation of Norwegians, the duo has been much more than a cultural staple: Karpe also challenged what it means to be Norwegian. The World’s Joshua Coe, who spoke to Karpe back in 2022, connected with fans in Norway last week to reflect on their legacy.

After nearly 30 years together, one of Norway’s biggest musical acts is calling it quits. The hip-hop duo Karpe announced earlier this year that they’ll retire in 2028, following one final tour. But for a generation of Norwegians, the duo has been much more than a cultural staple: Karpe also challenged what it means to be Norwegian. The World’s Joshua Coe, who spoke to Karpe back in 2022, connected with fans in Norway last week to reflect on their legacy.

Norwegian hip-hop duo that brought the immigrant experience to the fore retires

We take a couple of minutes to listen to a talented 12-year-old busking on the famous Grafton Street in Dublin. Riordan Hopwood has covered "Dreams" by The Cranberries and "Anna" by The Beatles. Host Marco Werman has the details.

We take a couple of minutes to listen to a talented 12-year-old busking on the famous Grafton Street in Dublin. Riordan Hopwood has covered "Dreams" by The Cranberries and "Anna" by The Beatles. Host Marco Werman has the details.

12-year-old busker wows on Ireland's streets

Thousands of people marched through New Delhi Monday toward India's Supreme Court, where opposition leaders sought to challenge a sweeping revision of the country's voter registration lists. More than 130 million names have been removed from those voter lists, which opposition politicians and civil society leaders have called into question as tampering by the ruling party's government. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Mukulika Banerjee, a social anthropologist at the London School of Economics who researches India's democracy.

Thousands of people marched through New Delhi Monday toward India's Supreme Court, where opposition leaders sought to challenge a sweeping revision of the country's voter registration lists. More than 130 million names have been removed from those voter lists, which opposition politicians and civil society leaders have called into question as tampering by the ruling party's government. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Mukulika Banerjee, a social anthropologist at the London School of Economics who researches India's democracy.

Voter roll purge ignites march on India's Supreme Court

Allegations of a horrific sexual assault at Cornell University in New York State have reignited questions about how colleges protect students and hold perpetrators to account. But the problem extends far beyond US campuses. In England, a survey of more than 50,000 final-year students last year found that 14% had been sexually assaulted since starting university. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Allegations of a horrific sexual assault at Cornell University in New York State have reignited questions about how colleges protect students and hold perpetrators to account. But the problem extends far beyond US campuses. In England, a survey of more than 50,000 final-year students last year found that 14% had been sexually assaulted since starting university. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

Sexual assault at universities extends far beyond the US

An arms race is escalating above us, as military powers vie for control of space. The satellites we rely on are vulnerable to attack and space debris is increasingly filling a crowded orbit. The PBS documentary "Space Wars" explores the dangers of militarizing space. Jonathan McDowell is an astrophysicist and contributed to the documentary. He recently spoke to Host Carolyn Beeler.

An arms race is escalating above us, as military powers vie for control of space. The satellites we rely on are vulnerable to attack and space debris is increasingly filling a crowded orbit. The PBS documentary "Space Wars" explores the dangers of militarizing space. Jonathan McDowell is an astrophysicist and contributed to the documentary. He recently spoke to Host Carolyn Beeler.

NOVA documentary explores the militarization of space

Hezbollah has been a powerful force in Lebanon for decades. But after yet another devastating war with Israel, the group is facing calls to give up its weapons, and there are growing doubts among some of its supporters. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports from Lebanon.

Hezbollah has been a powerful force in Lebanon for decades. But after yet another devastating war with Israel, the group is facing calls to give up its weapons, and there are growing doubts among some of its supporters. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports from Lebanon.

As Israel continues attacks in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah faces questions

On June 11, 1922, American filmmaker Robert Flaherty premiered “Nanook of the North: A Story of Life and Love in the Actual Arctic” in New York City. Set in Inukjuak on the Hudson Bay in northern Quebec, the silent film documented the daily struggles of an Inuk man and his family. It was the first significant nonfiction film ever released and led to a new category of film: the documentary. A century later, another American filmmaker returned to Inukjuak to examine what has happened to the community over the past 100 years. Host Marco Werman speaks to Inukjuak town manager Shoamik Inukpuk and Kirk French, a filmmaker and anthropologist at Penn State.This story originally aired on June 8, 2022.

On June 11, 1922, American filmmaker Robert Flaherty premiered “Nanook of the North: A Story of Life and Love in the Actual Arctic” in New York City. Set in Inukjuak on the Hudson Bay in northern Quebec, the silent film documented the daily struggles of an Inuk man and his family. It was the first significant nonfiction film ever released and led to a new category of film: the documentary. A century later, another American filmmaker returned to Inukjuak to examine what has happened to the community over the past 100 years. Host Marco Werman speaks to Inukjuak town manager Shoamik Inukpuk and Kirk French, a filmmaker and anthropologist at Penn State.
This story originally aired on June 8, 2022.

‘Nanook of the North’ a century later

A small population of desert lions in Namibia have become the only maritime lions in the world. They’ve moved to the country’s Atlantic coast in search of food, as climate change and extreme weather force a shift in their hunting patterns. Griet Van Malderen is a wildlife photographer who has spent years following the pride. She spoke with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about what she’s seen. This story originally aired on Oct. 17, 2025.

A small population of desert lions in Namibia have become the only maritime lions in the world. They’ve moved to the country’s Atlantic coast in search of food, as climate change and extreme weather force a shift in their hunting patterns. Griet Van Malderen is a wildlife photographer who has spent years following the pride. She spoke with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about what she’s seen.
This story originally aired on Oct. 17, 2025.

In search of food, desert lions in Namibia move to the sea

The Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in 2021, after the hasty conclusion to a 20-year US military occupation. Since then, music has been officially banned in the country. Musicians are driven underground, instruments are destroyed and recordings are contraband. In the East Bay, across from San Francisco, one Afghan American is working hard to preserve what he can. He’s digitizing tapes he’s sourced from back home and posting them in an online database he started calling the Afghan Cassette Archive. But getting those tapes out of Afghanistan is not as simple as an online order … it's an illegal, expensive and dangerous odyssey. Reporter Christopher Alam met up with Omid J, aka OMJVinyls, at his Oakland studio to check out his rare collection.

The Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in 2021, after the hasty conclusion to a 20-year US military occupation. Since then, music has been officially banned in the country. Musicians are driven underground, instruments are destroyed and recordings are contraband. In the East Bay, across from San Francisco, one Afghan American is working hard to preserve what he can. He’s digitizing tapes he’s sourced from back home and posting them in an online database he started calling the Afghan Cassette Archive. But getting those tapes out of Afghanistan is not as simple as an online order … it's an illegal, expensive and dangerous odyssey. Reporter Christopher Alam met up with Omid J, aka OMJVinyls, at his Oakland studio to check out his rare collection.