Musk rattles European politics

European leaders are alarmed about what they see as foreign election meddling. It's coming from Elon Musk, the wealthiest man on Earth and a close adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump. Musk has been using his global social media megaphone to promote far-right politicians in Europe, like the Alternative for Germany (AFD) party, which has been named an extremist group by Germany's own intelligence agencies.Also, Nicolás Maduro will be inaugurated as president in Venezuela later this week. Despite widespread accusations of election fraud.And, Ukrainian war refugees in Moldova, looking to stay for the long term.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

In Chinese-controlled Tibet, rescue workers are still digging through rubble after a powerful earthquake near Mount Everest. The rescue operation is complicated by altitudes averaging around 13,000 feet in the area. Also, an archaeologist and former professor at Damascus University returns to the Syrian capital for the first time since fleeing in 2006. We hear personal reflections about what the homecoming has been like, as well as analysis of where things stand in Damascus right now. Also, an earthquake in Tibet has killed dozens of people, and rescue teams are rushing to find survivors in freezing temperatures. And, in the Costa Rican village of Boruca, a dance reenacting an ancestral battle against colonizers is drawing tourists, and locals have mixed feelings about that.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a public announcement — sharing his plan to resign following a massive decline in support and a high profile resignation from his Cabinet. Also, the Biden administration is making its final push for a ceasefire in Gaza before Donald Trump reassumes the White House two weeks from now. And, many Ukrainians are turning to poetry as a symbol of patriotism and resistance during wartime.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. 

Tourism in Cuba has not recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic began; and new conditions on the island are deterring tourists from visiting to soak up its culture, beauty and political history. Also, South Korean authorities were unable to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol following an hours-long stand-off with his security services. And, a hidden crisis unfolds in Japan where over a million people have retreated from society for months or even years, in a phenomenon known as hikikomori. Plus, a self-taught baker brings flavors from her childhood spent in Argentina to a small farm stand in Southern Vermont.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

Kyiv opts to not renew a contract with Moscow that brought Russian natural gas to Europe and $1 billion dollars in transit fees to Ukraine. Also, Japan grapples with “lonely deaths” of some 68,000 elderly people who die alone at home every year. And, although global cases of tuberculosis have decreased in recent years, Latin America has seen a 19% increase in its number of cases, with one report pointing to rising incarceration rates as a major factor. Plus, Costa Rica has its own version of bullfighting that doesn’t kill the bull.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

The World welcomes 2025 with this music holiday special. We look at a middle-school teacher in France who uses rap to teach math. Also, Italian pasta company Barilla released a soundtrack it says was scientifically designed to enhance the taste and texture of its pasta. And, music from Innoss'B tries to combat malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Plus, Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz’s season-long residency at New York's Carnegie Hall that has offered many exciting new pieces.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

In this New Year’s Eve special, The World looks at discoveries from around the globe. With Mount Everest adding an extra 160 feet in the past 89,000 years, according to a recent study, we discuss how and why mountain ranges grow. Also, 2024 was the 200th year since the first dinosaur was named. And, finding lost cities in the mountains of Uzbekistan. Plus, using AI to create images of memories.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.Give today to help sustain our journalism in 2025 and have your donation matched by a generous donor!

A look at former President Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy, including his lasting foreign policy. Also, a conversation about effective global giving strategies, especially around the holiday season. And, a look back and climate and weather patterns in 2024. Plus, a yearly German tradition to watch a decades-old British comedy sketch on New Year’s Eve.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.Give today to help sustain our journalism in 2025 and have your donation matched by a generous donor!

The majority of deaths from the 2004 earthquake and tsunami were in Indonesia. But one island had just a handful of deaths, and researchers say that was partly due to folklore passed down through generations. Also, an update on the situation in Syria as Syrians look to the future with a mixture of fear and hope. And, Albania's former president was arrested on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, but the problem may be more widespread. Plus, a soup to celebrate, not only the new year, but Haiti’s independence day.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.Time is running out to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Donate today to power The World for another year!

On the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami that took the lives of more than 220,000 people, we look at why there are so many abandoned houses that were built for survivors in Indonesia. Also, investigations are underway to determine what caused a passenger plane to crash in Kazakhstan. And, the theft of succulents has become a massive illegal trade across the globe. Plus, reconnecting with a family whose neighbor left a pile of gifts for their son before passing away.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.Time is running out to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. Donate today to power The World for another year!