The World: Latest Stories

Longevity in Japan's Okinawa

For decades, Okinawa has prided itself as a hotspot for longevity. In 1999, the Japanese islands were listed as one of five “blue zones,” where people statistically live the longest, often into their 100s. A strong diet and emphasis on human connection were thought to be some of the biggest contributing factors. But research from a couple of years ago, suggested the entire concept of blue zones is a myth. In 2024, Rebecca Rosman examined the data and visited Okinawa to find what healthy habits could be gleaned from the lifestyle.This story originally aired on Dec. 12, 2024.

Facility in Mexico breeds sterile flies to curb screwworm

In June, the US opened a facility in Mexico to breed and release millions of sterile flies. It's part of an effort to curb the spread of the New World screwworm, a flesh eating parasite that has spread through Central America and into southern Mexico. Host Marco Werman spoke to entomologist Phillip Kaufman at Texas A&M University when the facility was in the final stages of being built.This story originally aired on Nov. 17, 2025.

The pope joins Spain in pushing for a humanitarian approach to migrants

Across Europe, migration is increasingly framed as a burden, as a problem to be solved. Whether it's the EU's new migration and asylum pact or the debate following the arrival of migrants in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in late July — the focus is often on control and deterrence. Spain has tried to shift that narrative, recently granting legal status to large numbers of undocumented migrants and stressing the economic and demographic benefits of migration. Spain also announced the transfer of around 500 vulnerable migrant girls from Ceuta to mainland Spain, despite pressure from Brussels to prioritize returns. But Spain is not alone in offering a different perspective on migration. Pope Leo XIV has been doing the same. Reporter Annelise Finney reports.

How tricycle ambulances are saving lives in rural Ghana

In rural Ghana, pregnant women often have trouble getting to the hospital to give birth. Roads are narrow, rough and rocky, and it can take hours to go relatively short distances. Last year, The World’s Transportation Correspondent Jeremy Siegel reported on how one nonprofit is working to change that with cheap motorized tricycles.This story originally aired on May 8, 2025.

Singapore wants to pay parents to help boost birth rate

Singapore announced plans to offer parents $55,000 per child to encourage people to have more children. Like many developed economies, the city-state's leaders are worried about a rapidly aging population and declining birth rate. But as The World's Host Carolyn Beeler learned from Berkay Ozcan, professor of social and public policy at the London School of Economics, such incentives are a short-term fix to an ongoing problem.