The World
A program that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter.
Parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin speak up about latest deal to get him home
The biggest issue in Israel today is the fate of the 133 hostages still held captive in Gaza. Israel says, according to military intelligence, 33 of them are dead. Demonstrators have held sit-ins, marches and protests almost every day over the past six months demanding their return. The World’s Marco Werman spoke with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, the parents of 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage on Oct. 7. They have just returned from a trip to the US where they met with top officials.
Korean pop culture inspires a Korean-language learning boom at US universities
The demand for language courses on US college campuses typically has reflected global shifts. Today, universities report that Korean-language classes fill up as soon as they add them and there are long wait-lists. And it’s all attributed to a surge of interest in Korean pop culture.
Ukrainian firefighter speaks about ‘constant stress’ of being a first responder
As Russia often targets Ukrainian apartment buildings and gathering places, firefighters are typically the first people to arrive after an attack. First responders themselves can be targets. The World’s Daniel Ofman meets a young Ukrainian firefighter who risks his life to save others and finds out what he does to stay strong.
‘We are helpless’: Protesting farmers in India pose challenges — and demands — to Modi
With polls opening this month in India, farmers are angry with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2021, Modi made a rare concession by repealing farm laws after they were met with massive months-long protests in Delhi. Now, farmers are returning to the streets. Sushmita Pathak reports from Delhi that the main demand now is guaranteed crop prices.
‘I am representing the Palestinian minority’: Palestinian Israeli politician on the future for both sides of the war and US role
A small population of Palestinians and Arabs that live in Israel are considered Israeli citizens and have all the rights of the country. That includes politically. Sami Abu Shehadeh is a former member of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset and chairman of the Balad party. The party represents the interests of Palestinians and Arab Israelis. Host Marco Werman spoke with Shehadeh at his office in Jaffa about the current situation in Gaza and what it means for the future of both sides in this war.
‘I have to work to help my family’: Child laborers in Raqqa face dangerous conditions
The campaign to liberate Raqqa in northeastern Syria from ISIS in 2017 left the city in ruins. Today, children make up a significant portion of the workforce that is rebuilding the city. One family knows the dangers of this work firsthand.