The World is public radio’s longest-running daily global news program. Our goal is to engage domestic US audiences with international affairs through human-centered journalism that consistently connects the global to the local and builds empathy for people around the world.
The World is a co-production of PRX and WGBH that broadcasts from the Nan and Bill Harris Studios at WGBH in Boston, Massachusetts. Launched in 1996 in response to a lack of international news in commercial media, The World has remained one of public radio’s most essential programs by providing its listeners with daily access to voices and stories not heard anywhere else. Our loyal broadcast listenership in the US measures 2.5 million each week, and our reach to global audiences — via broadcast, podcast and the web — is possible because of our strong editorial partnerships and digital distribution agreements.
Over the years, The World has carved out a niche by offering a unique perspective on daily news: covering American issues and events through the eyes of foreign observers, and contextualizing foreign affairs for American listeners. We maintain a steady focus on global events and issues, reminding listeners that the US is not isolated and that powers centered in Moscow, Kyiv, Beijing, Pyongyang, Riyadh, Istanbul, and elsewhere are reframing the global order every day. Our team does this by consistently working to get direct access to original sources: people on the ground who participate in the events we describe.
Our key areas of focus are global security, women & gender, the environment, migration and public health. From frontline diplomats to refugees in crisis, from environmental scientists in the field to protesters putting their lives on the line and individuals grappling with the impact of global cyberculture, The World starts with individuals at the core of a story and expands from there.
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South Korea's president says he'll "fight to the end." But he's facing calls from all sides to resign. And the opposition says it plans to move on a second impeachment measure. We have the latest from the South Korean capital, Seoul. Also, why Syria's new leaders are working to get punishing economic sanctions lifted as soon as possible. And, we meet a man who was trafficked by an organized crime operation in Southeast Asia and forced to work as an internet scammer. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.We want to hear from you! Donate today and let us know why you listen to The World!
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Many Syrians who have lived in Turkey for years are eager to return home to Syria. But others say an evolving security situation and financial concerns are giving them pause. Meanwhile, governments across Europe have paused asylum applications submitted by Syrians. Also, a new report by the OECD finds that reading and math scores for adults in most of the world’s high-income countries have declined during the past decade. And, the Arctic tundra is now releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than it stores. Plus, a man from New Zealand who doesn’t speak Spanish has won the Spanish Scrabble championships.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.We want to hear from you! Donate today and let us know why you listen to The World!
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As many Syrians rejoice at the downfall of the former dictatorship in their country, Israel has been conducting numerous strikes on targets across Syria, reportedly destroying chemical weapons stores belonging to the former Assad regime. Also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes the stand in his long-running corruption trial, facing charges of fraud, breach of trust and taking bribes. And, the Dominican Republic has deported more than 71,000 Haitians back to Haiti since October, and hoping to continue to deport thousands more each week. Plus, the universe is expanding at a rate faster than previously believed.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.We want to hear from you! Donate today and let us know why you listen to The World!
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For the first time in two decades, Syrians say they are experiencing a taste of freedom after President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. Also, a motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol failed over the weekend but many are still calling on him to resign. And, Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama has clinched a comeback election victory and will return to power seven years after stepping down. Plus, singer-guitarist Olguita Acuña carries on her activism after fleeing to Costa Rica from Nicaragua.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.We want to hear from you! Donate today and let us know why you listen to The World!
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A top Romanian court has annulled results from the first round of the country's vote for president. The unprecedented ruling comes after the declassification of intelligence alleging that a Russian campaign had promoted the far-right winner. Our Europe correspondent has the latest. Also, a new directive from the Taliban bans women in Afghanistan from studying dentistry, nursing, and midwifery. And, a standup comic from Zimbabwe on how jokes land differently in the US.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.We’re thankful for listeners like you who power our newsroom! Donate today to keep The World fully powered all year long.
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As a successful no-confidence vote topples the French government, a look at the political career of President Emmanuel Macron, whose presidency once signaled hope for change. Also, this week marks 40 years since the world's deadliest industrial disaster. The Bhopal gas leak originating at a pesticide plant in 1984 exposed 500,000 people in India to toxic vapors, killing thousands that night and leaving many more with serious health issues that persist to this day. How the Bhopal disaster changed India. And, Google's new AI weather forecasting tool, in the context of a global need for longer-term weather predictions.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.We’re thankful for listeners like you who power our newsroom! Donate today to keep The World fully powered all year long.
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In South Korea on Wednesday, the streets were relatively calm after a night that many saw as the beginning of a coup d'état. That followed the president's controversial declaration of martial law. With the president now facing an impeachment effort by parliament, many Koreans are calm but concerned. Also, new research out of Canada shows that the company Amazon restricts access to books in Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. And, a new law in Belgium makes sex workers eligible for labor rights and protections.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.We’re thankful for listeners like you who power our newsroom! Donate today to keep The World fully powered all year long.
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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a surprise televised announcement overnight imposing martial law, saying "North Korean forces" needed to be eradicated. Lawmakers quickly acted to cancel the emergency declaration, but the bitter political divide in the country remains unresolved. Also, a coalition of rebel forces in Syria is continuing its advance after capturing Aleppo, making its way through towns and villages toward the central city of Hama. And, a court in Vietnam upholds the death penalty for property tycoon Truong My Lan following her April conviction for embezzlement and bribery amounting to $12.5 billion. Plus, an aging population across Japan is redefining what it means to work.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.We’re thankful for listeners like you who power our newsroom! Donate today to keep The World fully powered all year long.
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Syria's anti-government rebels launched a massive offensive last week, taking most observers by surprise and gaining control over the largest city, Aleppo. The regime of President Bashar al-Assad has responded by conducting aerial attacks on Aleppo city and Idlib province. Also, the president of the International Criminal Court lashed out at the US and Russia for interfering with its investigations as the institution’s annual meeting opened on today. And, a gathering of more than 200 nations convened in Busan, South Korea, to reach a landmark agreement on ending plastic pollution, but left without achieving its goal after pressure from oil-rich nations. Plus, Hong Kong launches its “PANDA GO! FEST HK” festival with 2,500 panda statues made of recycled rubber barrels to be put on display this month.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.We’re thankful for listeners like you who power our newsroom! Donate today to keep The World fully powered all year long.
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National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek began an epic walk in early 2013, tracing the first steps of human migration out of Africa some 60,000 years ago. The World brings you some of his stories and experiences in this Out of Eden Walk special — starting in Ethiopia and walking through the Holy Lands, Uzbekistan and India, to mention a few. He even shares some of the foods he's eaten along the way to power his walk.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.We are able to bring you human-centered journalism because listeners like you support our independent newsroom. Keep The World going strong and donate today!