The World: Latest Stories

Almost one month after Cyclone Senyar struck Indonesia's island of Sumatra, the death toll has exceeded 1,000 and continues to rise. Roads in rural areas remain impassable, rendering thousands of storm survivors in dozens of villages cut off from vital humanitarian aid. Despite the provincial government's pleas for aid from foreign governments, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has so far refused. Dave Grunebaum reports from Aceh Province.

A few decades ago, Venezuela was considered one of Latin America's strongest democratic examples. Then it became an autocracy. Correspondent Hannah Dreier began reporting from Venezuela in 2014 when the first major exodus from the country began. Dreier, now an investigative reporter for the New York Times, speaks with The World's Host Marco Werman about how the country's democratic institutions began to hollow out.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed a former Canadian minister to be his new economic advisor. It's the latest in a spate of changes to Zelenskyy's cabinet following a corruption scandal in the the country's nuclear sector. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Andrii Borovyk, head of the corruption watchdog Transparency International Ukraine, about the changes and what they indicate about Zelenskyy's priorities as the war continues.

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is now in US custody, facing drug-related charges - but inside Venezuela, the fallout is just beginning. In Caracas, residents describe fear, brief celebration and a return to caution as power shifts to long-time insider Delcy Rodriguez. Some worry that US pressure and oil sanctions will deepen hardship, while others see a rare opening for change. The World's Tibisay Zea brings voices from the streets of the capital.

China is adding new restrictions on 13 chemicals used to make fentanyl - the synthetic opioid behind most overdose deaths in the United States. Those chemicals flow from China to Mexico, where cartels produce most of the illegal fentanyl that enters the US. But experts say the new rules may have only limited impact. The World's Tibisay Zea reports from Mexico City.This story originally aired on Dec. 10, 2025.

China now produces nearly three-quarters of the world's electric cars, and no city embodies that dominance more than Shenzhen, home to industry giant BYD. The city of 20 million people is a global hub of clean transportation and high-tech innovation. As The World's Jeremy Siegel reports, Shenzhen's transformation has roots in Apple's decision produce the iPhone there 20 years ago.This story originally aired on Dec. 4, 2025.

Taiwan has a new envoy to Finland, and he is also the lead singer of a renowned Taiwanese heavy metal band. After months of trying to set up cultural exchanges that drew little to no interest, Freddy Lim decided to stage a heavy metal concert. The event was a big success, in large part because Finland has the highest number of metal fans per capita. Host Carolyn Beeler has more.This story originally aired on Dec. 4, 2025.

Forty years ago, Shenzhen, China, was little more than a cluster of villages, home to a few hundred thousand people. Today, it holds roughly 20 million residents and ranks among the world's fastest-growing megacities. Yet, unlike other urban centers that have ballooned at similar speeds - Mumbai or Lagos, for example - Shenzhen has largely sidestepped the air pollution, overcrowding and failing infrastructure that often accompany rapid expansion. The World's Jeremy Siegel visited Shenzhen and breaks down how that was accomplished.This story originally aired on Dec. 2, 2025.

When writer Robin Reif's adopted daughter wanted to know where she came from, she decided it was important to go back to China to find answers for her daughter. So, they flew 7,000 miles to try and find a slip of paper that had been left with her daughter as a baby. Reif shared this memory with GBH's Stories From the Stage.This story originally aired on Oct. 14, 2025.

Even as the US slaps hefty tariffs on Chinese goods, the country's trade surplus is on the rise. Eswar Prasad, an economist who specializes in trade policy at Cornell University joined Host Marco Werman to shed light on what's driving the trend, and what it means for the global economy.This story originally aired on Dec. 9, 2025.

Some of the auto industry's biggest innovators gathered in Shenzhen, China, earlier this year for the Automotive World China Exhibition. From electric cars to self-driving sanitation vehicles, the event made it clear that the future of transportation is already here - and China is leading the way. The World's Jeremy Siegel reports.This story originally aired on Dec. 5, 2025.

The new Japanese prime minister sparked a diplomatic flare up this fall, when she said that Japan would get involved if China were to attack Taiwan. The back and forth came at a time when Taiwan's leaders were stepping into the international spotlight to talk about the importance of defending democracy. The World's Matthew Bell reports.This story originally aired on Nov. 13, 2025.

Musician Meklit Hadero is a friend of The World and reporter of the music series Movement. She speaks to Host Marco Werman about some musical highlights from the past 30 years, including a few recent favorites.

Music has always been an essential part of The World. Since day one, the show has featured music being made and celebrated across the globe. Host Marco Werman dips into the archives to share some of his favorites, including a conversation he had with the late singer Marianne Faithful.

The World has been covering the awe of nature alongside the threats posed by climate change since the show began 30 years ago. Host Carolyn Beeler walks Marco Werman through highlights of that reporting, from Paris and Antarctica to Brazil and beyond, and shares some of the most intriguing sounds to emerge from one-on-one encounters with the natural world.

Thirty years ago today, The World went on the air for the first time. To help us celebrate this milestone, we turn to Neil Curry who helped create the show and was The World's first executive producer. We also hear from our reporters Matthew Bell and Shirin Jafaari, who discuss how their coverage of major global news evolved after the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington.

For many years, The World's daily Geo Quiz was a staple of the show. Listeners could test their knowledge on trivia and geography. Now, the Geo Quiz is back, on The World's YouTube channel. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler play a round of Geo Quiz trivia and listeners are invited to join in.

Every year, thousands of people risk the perilous migration journey across the Mediterranean Sea, aiming for Italy and a chance at a new life in Europe. Now, the wooden boats they sail in are being turned into musical instruments, which have been played at the country's most famous opera house. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reported in Milan.This story originally aired on Nov. 5, 2025.

Anyone around in the 1980s might recall the hand wringing over test tube" babies, conceived in IVF labs. Today, more than 1 in 50 babies in the US are conceived by IVF. But on the horizon are mind-blowing experiments in reproductive science that may cause much more controversy. The World's Patrick Winn reports.This story originally aired on May 5, 2025.

Paniz Faryousefi conducted the Tehran Symphony Orchestra this fall, marking a rare performance by a woman conductor. Faryousefi said she hopes her achievement opens the door to other women musicians in Iran. The World's Shirin Jaafari reports.This story originally aired on Nov. 14, 2025.

Crate diggers are a passionate bunch, and with websites like Discogs and eBay, they've got something of a global network. Jayesh Veralkar is a part of that group. He's a record collector in Dubai and co-founder of Vinyl Souk, a grassroots organization for record collectors in the United Arab Emirates. Host Marco Werman chats with Veralkar about what makes the scene unique, and they even play some great music while they're at it.This story originally aired on Aug. 15, 2025.

Once dismissed as working-class entertainment, outdoor parties known as sonideros are gaining widespread popularity in Mexico City. The World's Tibisay Zea joined the fun for this report.This story originally aired on May 20, 2025.

Hermeto Pascoal was an iconic Brazilian musician and composer who created sound and harmony from anything: soda bottles filled with water and even a baby pig. So, why not a reporter's questions? Co-hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler told this story when Pascoal died in September.This story originally aired on Sept. 18, 2025.

They're just like normal, nighttime raves, except totally different: They happen when other humans are having breakfast, and there are no alcohol or drugs in sight. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from a "coffee rave" in Barcelona.This story originally aired on Oct. 22, 2025.

Mary Ngugi of Kenya is one of the top global talents in the women's marathon. Not only is she a professional runner, but she's the founder of Nala Track Club in Nairobi, where she gives young girls a safe and supportive place to train. The World's Bianca Hillier reported our story.This story originally aired on April 14, 2025.

This year, countries around the world experienced protests on a scale not seen in years. The demonstrations were driven largely by "Gen Z," fueled by frustrations over economic uncertainty, job security and distrust of institutional government systems. Protests in Nepal and Madagascar went so far as to topple governments. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with economist Daron Acemoglu about the common threads across these movements.

Fueled by a cost-of-living crisis and weakening currency, Iranians are taking to the streets. While the government says it's offering dialogue, the demonstrations follow a year of growing challenges for the regime and everyday people in the country. To learn more, The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran.

Lithium is a vital resource for modern technology, and sourcing it close to home is a security priority for Europe. Serbia's Jadar Valley holds Europe's largest lithium reserves, but accessing them in the face of local opposition is proving tricky. Guy De Launey reports for our partners at DW, Deutsche Welle's, "Inside Europe."

Geraldine Buckley's mom always pushed her to put down her books, stop studying and go party - a mom who went against the grain of other parents. One of the adventures this led to for Buckley back in 1976 was to hitchhike in Canada. Buckley, who's from England, shared the adventure with GBH's Stories From The Stage.

Air pollution in Germany's once-industrial Ruhr River Valley has come way down in recent decades. But to meet Europe's new air quality standards - which go into effect in 2030 - there's still a long way to go. Reporter Katie Burke went to see the greener, cleaner Ruhr to see for herself.

Fort Ticonderoga in New York state is leaning big into the US' 250th anniversary. It's the site of the largest collection of "American artillery" in the Western Hemisphere. But there's a long-hidden story about Ticonderoga's cannons that involves an outlandish expedition to the Caribbean. Reporter Amy Bracken brings us the tale.

New Year's may seem like a universal party that everyone celebrates in more or less the same way, but many cultures have their own traditions meant to bring about good luck in the coming year. Hosts Marco Werman and Carolyn Beeler share a fun collection of New Year's Eve traditions from around the world.

The US fired Tomahawk missiles into Nigeria's Sokoto State late last week, claiming to target members of ISIS who have been going after Christians in the country. But the region hit by the strikes - and facing the brunt of ISIS attacks - is majority Muslim, underscoring the more complex realities on the ground. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with University of Aberdeen analyst Onyedikachi Madueke about what's happening.

At the start of the new year, the world's first carbon tariff will take effect. The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will charge fees on certain imported products - and those fees will be based on the emissions tied to the manufacturing of those products. Host Marco Werman speaks with Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development about how the tariff is supposed to work, and what other countries will be watching.

Host Marco Werman is always intrigued by cool sounds he hears around him. He shares with us the enduring legacy of an artist he just discovered on the sound system at his local bodega: the late Colombian singer, accordionist and composer Lisandro Meza.

Emergency dental care can be so hard to come by in the UK's National Health Service that some patients have resorted to pulling out their own teeth. Healthwatch, an independent patient watchdog in the United Kingdom, recently published a report saying people are traveling more than 100 miles, going private or simply going abroad because they cannot get a dental appointment. The World's Europe Correspondent Orla Barry reports.

A growing number of chefs from former Portuguese colonies are taking Lisbon by storm. Chef Tony Fox calls himself the "King of Cachupa," a hearty chorizo and hominy stew topped with a fried egg - the signature dish of Cape Verde. Reporter Durrie Bouscaren stepped into the kitchen to learn more.This story originally aired on March 20, 2024.

This year marks a half-century since the end of the Vietnam War. A well-known memorial in Washington DC pays tribute to the US service members who lost their lives in that war, but few memorials honor the Vietnamese who fought alongside them, or the hundreds of thousands who came to the US in subsequent years. A new memorial project in the "Little Saigon" neighborhood of Boston aims to do just that. Reporter Heidi Shin has the story.This story originally aired on May 26, 2025.

Naabil Khan is a medical student from the UK. At just 22 years old, she's the founder of the nonprofit Skin For All, a website making information on skin conditions across diverse skin tones more accessible. Khan recounted her story about the website's creation on the Deutsche Welle, DW, program called Inside Europe.

In the US, the sales of nicotine pouches are soaring. These are like traditional tobacco pouches - or dip - but contain nicotine with different flavors. They're being promoted like crazy by young people on TikTok - especially one particular brand from Sweden called Zyn. As the World's Joshua Coe learned, Sweden is finding these pouches, also known there as snus, to be a hard habit to kick.

Yaroslav Simkiv has played the trumpet for over 50 years. But these days, Simkiv has taken on a serious role - bidding a musical farewell to Ukraine's fallen soldiers. From Lviv, Emily Johnson reports.This story originally aired on Feb. 10, 2025.

A leading voice in the world of contemporary art, Koyo Kouoh's death in May shocked the art world. The Cameroon-born curator was set to lead the 2026 Venice Biennale, one of the premier art exhibitions anywhere. Alex Greenberger, a senior editor of ArtNews, spoke about her legacy.This story originally aired on May 12, 2025.

The 49th Aga Khan, Karim Al-Husseini, died in February in Portugal. Host Marco Werman spoke with Daryoush Mohammad Pour, an associate professor at the Institute for Ismaili Studies in the UK, about the Aga Khan's life and legacy.This story originally aired on Feb. 5, 2025.

Revered Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga died in October at the age of 80. He played a pivotal role in institutionalizing multiparty democracy and shaping Kenya's constitution. But he was also known as a ruthless politician who formed alliances with rivals. Kenyan journalist Ramah Nyang explores Odinga's legacy in an interview with The World's Host Carolyn Beeler.This story originally aired on Oct. 15, 2025.

For nearly six decades, Ngg wa Thiong'o's writings chronicled the story of Kenya, from colonial rule to troubled democracy. The giant of African literature died in May at age 87. He spent time in jail and exile, writing the first modern novel in the Gikuyu language on prison toilet paper. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learns more from Kenyan author and editor Dennis Mugaa.This story originally aired on May 29, 2025.

An artistic force in Lebanon, Ziad Rahbani was a composer and musician first and foremost. But he was also a playwright, whose critiques and satires earned him a reputation as the "voice of the voiceless." Rahbani was 69 when he died last July.This story originally aired on July 28, 2025.

The widely celebrated Argentine American film score composer Lalo Schifrin died in June at the age of 93. Schifrin was best known for penning the "Mission: Impossible" theme music, but his career spanned seven decades and many styles of music.This story originally aired on June 27, 2025.

A plane crash in Honduras in March claimed the life of Aurelio Martinez, a popular Honduran musician and politician. Host Marco Werman memorializes Martinez as a singer and songwriter who was one of the best-known champions of Garifuna music.This story originally aired on March 20, 2025.

The community of Qoornoq, on a small island off the coast of Greenland, was shuttered decades ago as part of the Danish government's efforts to consolidate Greenland's population. But in recent decades, it's become a summer getaway for former residents. The World's Carolyn Beeler takes us on a visit to Qoornoq.This story originally aired on Oct. 27, 2025.

Indigenous Greenlanders once wore bold face tattoos that carried deep spiritual and cultural significance. But during the centuries of Denmark's colonial rule, the Inuit tradition of getting face and hand tattoos disappeared. The World's Joshua Coe met an Inuk tattoo artist who is now reviving that Inuit heritage for community members living in Denmark.This story originally aired on Jan. 8, 2024.