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.

This week is supposed to be all laughs in Saudi Arabia’s capital, where the Riyadh Comedy Festival is entering its second week. It's billing itself as “the world’s biggest comedy festival” — and big names are headlining. But Abdullah Alaoudh told The World's Host Marco Werman that the event sits uncomfortably alongside the Saudi government's notorious human rights abuses. The senior director on Countering Authoritarianism at the Middle East Democracy Center in Washington explains that the event is a state-funded distraction from the government's human rights abuses.

This week is supposed to be all laughs in Saudi Arabia’s capital, where the Riyadh Comedy Festival is entering its second week. It's billing itself as “the world’s biggest comedy festival” — and big names are headlining. But Abdullah Alaoudh told The World's Host Marco Werman that the event sits uncomfortably alongside the Saudi government's notorious human rights abuses. The senior director on Countering Authoritarianism at the Middle East Democracy Center in Washington explains that the event is a state-funded distraction from the government's human rights abuses.

A Saudi dissident weighs in on comedy festival controversy

The Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on Earth, which means communities living there are already adapting to changing climate conditions. In Tasiilaq, a town of about 2,000 people in remote East Greenland, subsistence hunting and fishing are still major sources of food and livelihood, and shrinking seal hunting seasons due to smaller ice floes coming down the fjord in the summer are changing what — and how — locals hunt, fish and get around. The World's Carolyn Beeler brings us the story.

The Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on Earth, which means communities living there are already adapting to changing climate conditions. In Tasiilaq, a town of about 2,000 people in remote East Greenland, subsistence hunting and fishing are still major sources of food and livelihood, and shrinking seal hunting seasons due to smaller ice floes coming down the fjord in the summer are changing what — and how — locals hunt, fish and get around. The World's Carolyn Beeler brings us the story.

Climate change fuels adaptation in remote East Greenland

The Israeli military has stopped a large aid flotilla — with dozens of boats and more than 400 activists. It had been heading toward the shores of the Gaza Strip. Live-streamed videos showed Israeli forces boarding boats and detaining passengers and crew. The government there says it will now deport them. The multinational Sumud Flotilla left from Barcelona, Spain, over a month ago with a goal of breaking Israel’s naval blockade and delivering food and medicine to Palestinians in Gaza. From Barcelona, The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.

The Israeli military has stopped a large aid flotilla — with dozens of boats and more than 400 activists. It had been heading toward the shores of the Gaza Strip. Live-streamed videos showed Israeli forces boarding boats and detaining passengers and crew. The government there says it will now deport them. The multinational Sumud Flotilla left from Barcelona, Spain, over a month ago with a goal of breaking Israel’s naval blockade and delivering food and medicine to Palestinians in Gaza. From Barcelona, The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.

Israel stops Sumud aid flotilla, arrests activists

Brazilians are the largest immigrant community in Massachusetts. They are also being arrested in larger numbers by federal agents across the state since US President Donald Trump returned to office. GBH's Phillip Martin says fear is ricocheting through the community — even among those who once supported Trump during his election.

Brazilians are the largest immigrant community in Massachusetts. They are also being arrested in larger numbers by federal agents across the state since US President Donald Trump returned to office. GBH's Phillip Martin says fear is ricocheting through the community — even among those who once supported Trump during his election.

Arrests of Brazilians in the United States

Japan's Asahi beer manufacturer recently announced plans to expand its European distribution. But the company has also been battling a cyberattack that halted operations in Japan. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more.

Japan's Asahi beer manufacturer recently announced plans to expand its European distribution. But the company has also been battling a cyberattack that halted operations in Japan. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more.

Turbulent week for Japanese beer maker

Citizens of Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines can now live and work in any of the four countries without requirements for visas, residency permits or other extensive paperwork. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Rosalea Hamilton, founding director of Jamaica's Institute of Law and Economics in Kingston, about the plan.

Citizens of Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines can now live and work in any of the four countries without requirements for visas, residency permits or other extensive paperwork. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Rosalea Hamilton, founding director of Jamaica's Institute of Law and Economics in Kingston, about the plan.

New policy allows free movement among four Caribbean countries

Two people died and four others were seriously injured after an attack at a synagogue in Manchester in the UK. British police shot and killed the attacker and said they are treating the incident as a terrorist attack. The assault took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to step up security at synagogues across Britain. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joined host Marco Werman with the latest.

Two people died and four others were seriously injured after an attack at a synagogue in Manchester in the UK. British police shot and killed the attacker and said they are treating the incident as a terrorist attack. The assault took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to step up security at synagogues across Britain. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joined host Marco Werman with the latest.

Deadly attack hits Manchester synagogue during holiest day of Jewish year

Scientist and global activist Jane Goodall, who turned her childhood love of primates into a lifelong quest for protecting the environment, died on Wednesday at the age of 91. Goodall died of natural causes, the Jane Goodall Institute said in a social media post. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more.

Scientist and global activist Jane Goodall, who turned her childhood love of primates into a lifelong quest for protecting the environment, died on Wednesday at the age of 91. Goodall died of natural causes, the Jane Goodall Institute said in a social media post. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler have more.

Global activist Jane Goodall dies

A new musical in London is revisiting the history of Britain’s Black Power movement and the secret police unit that worked to undermine it. "Black Power Desk," which takes its name from a covert Scotland Yard operation launched in the 1960s, explores how authorities attempted to infiltrate and destabilize the movement’s leaders. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry has more.

A new musical in London is revisiting the history of Britain’s Black Power movement and the secret police unit that worked to undermine it. "Black Power Desk," which takes its name from a covert Scotland Yard operation launched in the 1960s, explores how authorities attempted to infiltrate and destabilize the movement’s leaders. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry has more.

'Black Power Desk': Musical sheds light on secret Scotland Yard operation

Pope Leo XIV delivered his most extensive comments yet on climate change and the environment today. He spoke at a three-day Catholic conference outside of Rome, 10 years after the ground-breaking papal teaching on the environment from Pope Francis. Leo called on Catholics and "people of good faith" around the world to build on that legacy. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

Pope Leo XIV delivered his most extensive comments yet on climate change and the environment today. He spoke at a three-day Catholic conference outside of Rome, 10 years after the ground-breaking papal teaching on the environment from Pope Francis. Leo called on Catholics and "people of good faith" around the world to build on that legacy. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

On climate change, Pope Leo wants to build on the legacy of Francis

Rangers, firefighters and members of Namibia's military have successfully contained a wildfire in Etosha National Park. The fire burned nearly a third of the park and lasted a week. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Pauline Lindeque, the World Wildlife Fund's Namibia Director of Wildlife and Landscape, about the impact this has had on biodiversity in the nature reserve.

Rangers, firefighters and members of Namibia's military have successfully contained a wildfire in Etosha National Park. The fire burned nearly a third of the park and lasted a week. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Pauline Lindeque, the World Wildlife Fund's Namibia Director of Wildlife and Landscape, about the impact this has had on biodiversity in the nature reserve.

Wildfire destroys a third of Etosha National Park in Namibia

People in Afghanistan say the internet has been partially restored. This comes after two days of a complete shutdown of the internet across the country. The Taliban restricted access, saying that it can lead to immoral behavior. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

People in Afghanistan say the internet has been partially restored. This comes after two days of a complete shutdown of the internet across the country. The Taliban restricted access, saying that it can lead to immoral behavior. The World’s Shirin Jaafari reports.

Internet is partially restored in Afghanistan

EU leaders gathered in Copenhagen today, just days after airspace intrusions by unidentified aircraft closed Danish airports. As the drones menaced NATO’s eastern flank, Washington was gathering top US military brass in Quantico, Virginia — focused not on external threats, but on what the White House calls “the enemy within.” Shashank Joshi, defense editor at The Economist, tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler how European allies view that juxtaposition.

EU leaders gathered in Copenhagen today, just days after airspace intrusions by unidentified aircraft closed Danish airports. As the drones menaced NATO’s eastern flank, Washington was gathering top US military brass in Quantico, Virginia — focused not on external threats, but on what the White House calls “the enemy within.” Shashank Joshi, defense editor at The Economist, tells The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler how European allies view that juxtaposition.

With Europe under threat, Washington fixates on 'enemy within'

A series of ocean currents in the Atlantic drive heat northward and control much of the world's weather. Scientists believe the current — called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC for short — will slow down this century due to global warming, and some fear the circulation might collapse entirely. The melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet could be a major factor in the future health of the AMOC. The World's Carolyn Beeler traveled into a fjord in Greenland with scientists studying glacial meltwater to better understand what it could do to the AMOC.

A series of ocean currents in the Atlantic drive heat northward and control much of the world's weather. Scientists believe the current — called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC for short — will slow down this century due to global warming, and some fear the circulation might collapse entirely. The melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet could be a major factor in the future health of the AMOC. The World's Carolyn Beeler traveled into a fjord in Greenland with scientists studying glacial meltwater to better understand what it could do to the AMOC.

Studying melting ice in Greenland for clues to key Atlantic Ocean current

In less than five years, Pix — Brazil’s free, instant payment platform — has reshaped the country’s financial landscape. More than 150 million Brazilians now use it daily, from big-city retailers to street vendors and homeless people. Its explosive growth has sidelined credit cards and cash, making Brazil one of the world’s leaders in digital payments. But this homegrown fintech experiment is making waves far beyond Brazil: US officials and banking lobbyists see Pix as a potential threat to American-controlled payment systems like Visa and Mastercard. The World's Tibisay Zea brings us this report from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

In less than five years, Pix — Brazil’s free, instant payment platform — has reshaped the country’s financial landscape. More than 150 million Brazilians now use it daily, from big-city retailers to street vendors and homeless people. Its explosive growth has sidelined credit cards and cash, making Brazil one of the world’s leaders in digital payments. But this homegrown fintech experiment is making waves far beyond Brazil: US officials and banking lobbyists see Pix as a potential threat to American-controlled payment systems like Visa and Mastercard. The World's Tibisay Zea brings us this report from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Brazil's e-payment system is challenging financial power across the Americas

Inspired by Gen Z protests in Kenya, Nepal and Peru, youth in Madagascar have taken to the streets — and after facing government violence, they've secured major concessions. Today the country’s president dissolved the government, agreeing to replace cabinet ministers with new officials. Gyude Moore, a non-resident fellow at the Center for Global Development, describes the implications to The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Inspired by Gen Z protests in Kenya, Nepal and Peru, youth in Madagascar have taken to the streets — and after facing government violence, they've secured major concessions. Today the country’s president dissolved the government, agreeing to replace cabinet ministers with new officials. Gyude Moore, a non-resident fellow at the Center for Global Development, describes the implications to The World’s Host Marco Werman.

Madagascar youth highlight Gen Z's protest effectiveness

The United Nations mission in Kabul is urging the Taliban to reverse its shutdown of the internet and other telecommunications across the country. It says the government imposed the blackout and has cut off Afghanistan from the outside world. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

The United Nations mission in Kabul is urging the Taliban to reverse its shutdown of the internet and other telecommunications across the country. It says the government imposed the blackout and has cut off Afghanistan from the outside world. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler has more.

UN asks Taliban to restore internet to Afghanistan

Canadian authorities now consider an Indian crime organization known as the Bishnoi gang a "terrorist entity." The gang was linked by Canada to the assassination of a Sikh activist in the country. The World's Host Marco Werman learned more from Canadian journalist Stewart Bell. He's an investigative journalist with Global News, where he covers national security issues in Canada.

Canadian authorities now consider an Indian crime organization known as the Bishnoi gang a "terrorist entity." The gang was linked by Canada to the assassination of a Sikh activist in the country. The World's Host Marco Werman learned more from Canadian journalist Stewart Bell. He's an investigative journalist with Global News, where he covers national security issues in Canada.

Canada designates Indian crime gang as 'terrorist entity' after high-profile assassination

US President Donald Trump said today that he'll give Hamas "about three or four days" to respond to his ceasefire proposal for Gaza. "It's going to be a very sad end," Trump said, if the Palestinian militant group rejects the deal. It was announced yesterday at the White House during a joint appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Governments across the Middle East say all parties should agree to the Trump plan. But it's hard to find much enthusiasm among Israelis and Palestinians for the sort of broader "Middle East peace" that Trump is talking about. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

US President Donald Trump said today that he'll give Hamas "about three or four days" to respond to his ceasefire proposal for Gaza. "It's going to be a very sad end," Trump said, if the Palestinian militant group rejects the deal. It was announced yesterday at the White House during a joint appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Governments across the Middle East say all parties should agree to the Trump plan. But it's hard to find much enthusiasm among Israelis and Palestinians for the sort of broader "Middle East peace" that Trump is talking about. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

Trump says Hamas has a few days to respond to ceasefire proposal

Author Tim Queeney has a new book out, "Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization," that delves into the ways rope has been used — for good and ill — through human history. He tells Host Carolyn Beeler that this global story is both magnificent and very dark.

Author Tim Queeney has a new book out, "Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization," that delves into the ways rope has been used — for good and ill — through human history. He tells Host Carolyn Beeler that this global story is both magnificent and very dark.

The long and surprising history of rope

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman highlight a few global headlines that might have flown under the radar.

Hosts Carolyn Beeler and Marco Werman highlight a few global headlines that might have flown under the radar.

Things you might have missed

The Mohawk Institute was the longest-running and largest residential school in Canada. Over some 140 years, an estimated 15,000 children attended the school in southern Ontario before it closed its doors in 1970. Today, on the country's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the former school building is reopening as a historic site and museum to share the stories of survivors. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

The Mohawk Institute was the longest-running and largest residential school in Canada. Over some 140 years, an estimated 15,000 children attended the school in southern Ontario before it closed its doors in 1970. Today, on the country's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the former school building is reopening as a historic site and museum to share the stories of survivors. The World's Bianca Hillier reports.

Former residential school reopens as historic site after multi-million dollar, decade-long renovation

The Darien Gap is a treacherous stretch of jungle in Central America that for years saw hundreds of thousands of migrants making the risky trek north to the US border. But what was once one of the world's more dangerous and heavily used migration routes is now nearly empty of people. Reporter Manuel Rueda tells host Marco Werman that the dramatic change is due to the Trump administration's changes to the the US asylum process.

The Darien Gap is a treacherous stretch of jungle in Central America that for years saw hundreds of thousands of migrants making the risky trek north to the US border. But what was once one of the world's more dangerous and heavily used migration routes is now nearly empty of people. Reporter Manuel Rueda tells host Marco Werman that the dramatic change is due to the Trump administration's changes to the the US asylum process.

Dangerous but heavily used migration route now 'empty'

An American private contractor arrested in Havana. Cuban intelligence agents serving long prison sentences in the United States. And a spy swap that sets the stage for a historic rapprochement between the US and Cuba. It sounds like a Hollywood thriller but it’s all true. The story unfolds in a new eight-part podcast from Audible and Foreign Policy magazine called "I Spy: The US, Cuba and the Secret Deal That Ended the Cold War." Host Marco Werman learns more from the series creator, Dan Ephron, who is the executive editor of Foreign Policy magazine.

An American private contractor arrested in Havana. Cuban intelligence agents serving long prison sentences in the United States. And a spy swap that sets the stage for a historic rapprochement between the US and Cuba. It sounds like a Hollywood thriller but it’s all true. The story unfolds in a new eight-part podcast from Audible and Foreign Policy magazine called "I Spy: The US, Cuba and the Secret Deal That Ended the Cold War." Host Marco Werman learns more from the series creator, Dan Ephron, who is the executive editor of Foreign Policy magazine.

'I spy': How a prisoner swap helped end decades of tensions between the US and Cuba

Moldova’s pro-European party has secured a resounding victory in the country’s parliamentary elections. Backed by President Maia Sandu, the party won nearly half the vote, while a bloc of pro-Russia parties managed just 24%. The result is being hailed in Brussels as a major pushback against Russian influence in the region. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joins Host Marco Werman for more.

Moldova’s pro-European party has secured a resounding victory in the country’s parliamentary elections. Backed by President Maia Sandu, the party won nearly half the vote, while a bloc of pro-Russia parties managed just 24%. The result is being hailed in Brussels as a major pushback against Russian influence in the region. The World’s Europe Correspondent Orla Barry joins Host Marco Werman for more.

Moldova votes for Europe, not Moscow

Italy and Austria just finished digging a massive tunnel through the Alps. It's nearly 4,600 feet deep, and when the project is complete it will be the longest underground railway in the world. European authorities say the link — known as the Brenner Base Tunnel — will transform travel through the area, cutting travel times in half, and significantly reducing carbon emissions. The World's Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel reports.

Italy and Austria just finished digging a massive tunnel through the Alps. It's nearly 4,600 feet deep, and when the project is complete it will be the longest underground railway in the world. European authorities say the link — known as the Brenner Base Tunnel — will transform travel through the area, cutting travel times in half, and significantly reducing carbon emissions. The World's Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel reports.

Italy and Austria hit major milestone on Alps tunnel

On Monday, US President Donald Trump met with Israel's prime minister in Washington for the fourth time in eight months. Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News over the weekend that he's "working on" a Gaza ceasefire deal outlined by the Trump administration, but that the deal was not yet finalized. News reports describe a three-page, 21-point peace plan from the Trump administration that includes an immediate truce, release of all hostages by Hamas and an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. It remains to be seen whether or not Netanyahu's far-right government can get behind the plan. The response from Hamas to the proposal is another unknown. The World's Matthew Bell has the latest.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump met with Israel's prime minister in Washington for the fourth time in eight months. Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News over the weekend that he's "working on" a Gaza ceasefire deal outlined by the Trump administration, but that the deal was not yet finalized. News reports describe a three-page, 21-point peace plan from the Trump administration that includes an immediate truce, release of all hostages by Hamas and an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. It remains to be seen whether or not Netanyahu's far-right government can get behind the plan. The response from Hamas to the proposal is another unknown. The World's Matthew Bell has the latest.

Almost two years after Oct. 7 attack, Trump pushes for a ceasefire plan in Gaza

Around 300,000 years ago, at least seven different species of humans roamed the Earth. But now, Homo sapiens are the only humans left. And a new television documentary series from The World's colleagues at NOVA digs into why that is. It's called "Human." British paleo-anthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi, hosts the "Human" series. She speaks to Host Carolyn Beeler.

Around 300,000 years ago, at least seven different species of humans roamed the Earth. But now, Homo sapiens are the only humans left. And a new television documentary series from The World's colleagues at NOVA digs into why that is. It's called "Human." British paleo-anthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi, hosts the "Human" series. She speaks to Host Carolyn Beeler.

A new series from NOVA traces how Homo sapiens survived, while other species died

Mexico and the US have launched a new bilateral initiative aimed at disrupting the stream of illicit weapons across their shared border. The announcement came during the first meeting of the new US-Mexico Security Implementation Group. León Castellanos-Jankiewicz, a senior researcher at the Asser Institute at The Hague, tells The World’s Host Marco Werman why the initiative will be difficult to implement.

Mexico and the US have launched a new bilateral initiative aimed at disrupting the stream of illicit weapons across their shared border. The announcement came during the first meeting of the new US-Mexico Security Implementation Group. León Castellanos-Jankiewicz, a senior researcher at the Asser Institute at The Hague, tells The World’s Host Marco Werman why the initiative will be difficult to implement.

'Promising' new initiative to halt weapons flow from US sellers to Mexican cartels

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 10 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 10 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.