The World

Millions of South Africans are voting in what is being called the most important election since the end of apartheid in 1994. The vote could unseat the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party for the first time. Also, water disputes over the Rio Grande river that forms part of the US-Mexico border. And, the US is loosening some restrictions on businesses in Cuba that will allow some Cuban business owners to open bank accounts in the United States. Also, a new bill may be a boost for mothers of the disappeared in Honduras. Plus, a children’s book explaining the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to kids. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

An Israeli airstrike has sparked international condemnation after dozens of Palestinians were killed near a tent camp for displaced people in Rafah. Also, efforts to rescue victims of a Papua New Guinea landslide are facing extreme challenges. And, Mexico is poised to elect its first female president, but in a country with a history of gender violence and inequality, feminists aren’t declaring victory just yet. Plus, a look at the UK’s annual cheese rolling competition. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

Lethal Dissent is a 9-part series about the price and peril that Iranian dissidents face for speaking out against their government, and the secret operatives who seek to silence them. It all begins when two friends flee Iran to escape the regime’s crackdown on dissent. But when they arrive in Turkey, one of them dies under unusual circumstances. Fariba Nawa, a reporter in Istanbul, works to unravel the mystery of what happened. In the process, she enters Turkey’s underworld of kidnappers-for-hire and shady government officials, and takes the listener inside an Iranian operation to snatch exiles who stand up to the regime. The stakes: the right to say what you truly believe, and potentially, your life… A story from The World and On Spec Podcast. With support from the Pulitzer Center and Zamaneh Media… First episode drops May 31st wherever you get your podcasts.

This Memorial Day, host Marco Werman and show director April Peavey discover and re-discover The World’s music favorites. That includes a discussion in 2012 with singer Ed Sheeran on his first US tour, a look at the music used to promote the famous Rumble in the Jungle boxing match in 1974 between Muhammad Ali and George Forman, a conversation with twin sisters from Cuba about their diverse vocal influences and the search for a master musician in Pakistan. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

The UN's International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to stop its military offensive in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. It comes as Israel also said it has recovered the bodies of three Israeli hostages from Gaza. Also, a look at the UAE’s support of the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces as the war between the RSF and the Sudanese national army reaches a new critical juncture. And, a new book about architecture that was designed but never built. Plus, a look at why we clap, something that researchers say is universal. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has raised the question of another succession — that of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisi was seen as a strong candidate before his death. Also, Kenya’s president is in the US for a historic state dinner celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations with the United States. It comes as Kenyan police prepare to arrive in Haiti to lead a controversial multinational UN force backed by Washington there. And, the Biden Administration faces an uphill battle in its efforts to close down the detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Plus, a look at the legacy of the Latin Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and accordionist from Colombia, Omar Geles, who has died at the age of 57. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

Spain, Ireland and Norway say they will recognize a Palestinian state on May 28. They will join 139 countries who have already taken the step. Also, a court has ruled that greenhouse gasses are a form of marine pollution, laying out legal obligations for governments. And, the Aral Sea, which spans the borders of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, used to be the fourth largest lake on the planet but changed under Soviet policies. An engineering project turned things around, but the progress is once again on shaky ground. Plus, Jenny Erpenbeck's novel “Kairos” becomes the first translated German work to win the International Booker Prize.

Investigators in Britain have recently released an explosive report detailing how more than 30,000 UK residents contracted HIV or hepatitis from tainted blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. Survivors of the contamination and their families have welcomed new pledges of compensation. And, security forces rescued 350 hostages from Boko Haram captivity in Nigeria on Monday. The hostages had been held in a forest enclave by the militants before they were rescued. Also, who doesn't have a fond childhood memory that's grown hazy with time, especially because there was never a photo to solidify it in the mind's eye? Well, now a Spanish AI company is creating the image on paper based just on the memory. Plus, South Korea bans a North Korean TikTok sensation.

Iranians woke up on Monday to the news of the death of President Ibraheem Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The officials were traveling in a helicopter when it crashed in a mountainous area in the northwest of the country. And naturalists have discovered that there are many species that are now hard to find in the United States, but healthy populations can be found across the border, and now wall, in Mexico. But tagging these species in Mexico can also be a challenge, in part because of risks from cartel activity. Also, the top prosecutor at the International Criminal Court today announced a request for arrest warrants from top leaders from both Hamas and the Israeli government. Karim Khan said that he has reason to believe that Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, along with the Israeli defense minister, and three top leaders from Hamas all "bear criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Plus, an art portal connecting Dublin to New York City reopens.

France declared a state of emergency in its Pacific Islands territory of New Caledonia. At least three Indigenous Kanak people and two police officers have been killed in violence that began Monday night over a proposed amendment to the French constitution that expands French citizens’ eligibility to vote in the archipelago's local elections. And, the US military says the first aid shipment has arrived in the Gaza Strip via a floating pier off the coast of the territory. Humanitarian aid officials say basic necessities are desperately needed in Gaza. But the pier is also a sign of a failure in US-Israeli cooperation. Also, nearly a week after flash floods caused by heavy rain, devastated villages in northern Afghanistan, survivors are struggling with basic needs like shelter and food. The floods left at least 300 dead and many are still missing. Plus, the Vatican adopts new laws to evaluate supernatural phenomena.

Migrants heading from South America to the United States must cross a treacherous jungle known as the Darien Gap. To prepare for the perils ahead, people embarking on that journey now turn to their phones for crucial information. Enter a new social media influencer: documenting the route, and offering survival do's and don'ts for those who come. Plus, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet again. In their talks, the two leaders condemned the United States, and embraced one another's causes. That includes Chinese support for Russia in the war in Ukraine. And it's been described as the "United Nations of sweat": a spa, in Brooklyn, that brings together wellness and relaxation traditions from around the globe. We'll take you there. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. We aim to raise $25,000 by June 14. Will you help us reach our goal? Donate today to keep The World going strong!

Georgia’s parliament has passed a “foreign agents” bill. Tens of thousands of people have gone out to the streets to protest in the capital city of Tblisi. The bill is modeled after a similar law in Russia. Plus, the Israel-Egypt peace treaty has been a linchpin of stability in the Middle East for the last 45 years. The war in Gaza may be putting that agreement at risk. And, three women from Saudi Arabia are facing political consequences for social media posts. One has fled the country, another is in prison and the third faces a travel ban. And they're sisters. So, what happened to promises of new freedoms for women in the kingdom? Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. We aim to raise $25,000 by June 14. Will you help us reach our goal? Donate today to keep The World going strong!

In Canada, the embers from last year's record-setting fires smoldered under the ground's surface through the cold winter months, never quite going out completely. The fires, known as zombie fires or overwintering fires, have returned. Also, Azerbaijan and Armenia are engaged in peace talks after Azerbaijan’s military seized Nagorno-Karabakh in September, displacing tens of thousands of Armenians. But many Armenians are not happy with the talks. And, the Cannes Film Festival begins on Tuesday, and this year's event lands in France at the same time as the #MeToo movement. France comes late to the movement that brings women's stories of sexual harassment and assault to the forefront. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. We aim to raise $25,000 by June 14. Will you help us reach our goal? Donate today to keep The World going strong!

In Mexico, Mother's Day was a sad reminder for the mothers of more 116,000 people reported missing there. But, in a rare exception, officials managed to find the bodies of three missing foreigners from Australia and the US in less than a week. Plus, athletes have been announced for the refugee team slated to compete in the Summer Olympics in Paris. And you probably saw pictures of the Northern Lights online this past weekend. In fact, the photographs might have surpassed what you saw with the naked eye. We'll find out why. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. We aim to raise $25,000 by June 14. Will you help us reach our goal? Donate today to keep The World going strong!

Pope Francis delivers the official declaration for the Catholic Church's upcoming 2025 Jubilee, a once-in-25-year event for Catholics that goes back to the 14th century. Also, as part of reestablishing ties with Israel, Saudi Arabia wants the US to help it build a civilian nuclear program. And, a look at the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza as Israeli troops position themselves to enter Rafah. Plus, a Somali rapper who went from being an unemployed immigrant to a rap star in the UAE. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. We aim to raise $25,000 by June 14. Will you help us reach our goal? Donate today to keep The World going strong!

Russia marks Victory Day with pomp and circumstance and a chance to show off its power and strength. Also, many Nigerians are calling on the government to bring back fuel subsidies as oil prices rise. And, a discussion about the value of written language after a teacher in the UK finds a stone inscribed with ancient Ogham writing from Ireland. Plus, a new gallery in New York City is holding one of the largest showings of African contemporary art in the world. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. We aim to raise $25,000 by June 14. Will you help us reach our goal? Donate today to keep The World going strong!

The long-awaited torch of the Olympic Games arrives by ship in the southern French port city of Marseille. Also, pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca says its ceasing sales of its COVID-19 vaccines. The company says its vaccine saved millions of lives globally but demand is now low. And, a look at what a pause in shipment of weapons destined from the US to Israel means. Plus, the Luminous Stars centers providing mental health care for orphaned children in Iraq. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. We aim to raise $25,000 by June 14. Will you help us reach our goal? Donate today to keep The World going strong!

A group of Americans who had been stranded in desert camps in northeastern Syria for years arrived back in the US on Tuesday. Also, water supplies in Mexico’s capital are at a historic low because of a combination of low rainfall, rising temperatures and outdated infrastructure. And, the IDF conducted air strikes in Rafah, where 1.4 million people are sheltering, and now controls the main border crossing with Egypt. It came as Hamas offered a counterproposal for a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange. Plus, whale researchers have turned to computer scientists to analyze the clicks made by sperm whales in the Caribbean. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. We aim to raise $25,000 by June 14. Will you help us reach our goal? Donate today to keep The World going strong!

In a statement, Hamas said it would approve the Qatari-Egyptian ceasefire proposal. Israel and the US say they are reviewing the deal. It's not the same one that was under consideration 10 days ago. For the people sheltering in Gaza, in the city of Rafah, we'll bring a ground-level perspective on the fast-changing situation, as well as a window into how civilians are navigating the uncertainty. Plus, the largest election in history is currently underway in India, with nearly a billion people casting ballots. They trek by foot, by boat and even on the backs of elephants. And, a North Korean defector wants visitors to the demilitarized zone to understand what his life in North Korea was like. There are the negatives but also the positives. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. We aim to raise $25,000 by June 14. Will you help us reach our goal? Donate today to keep The World going strong!

The Turkish government announced it would suspend trade with Israel, until a permanent ceasefire is achieved and humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza without interruption. Imports and exports between Turkey and Israel totaled $6.8 billion last year. And, for the first time, researchers observed a wild animal treating a wound with a plant known by humans for its medicinal qualities, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports. Also, lawmakers in the United Kingdom are considering a ban on the sale of smartphones to children under the age of 16. And in France, a hard-hitting study says children should not be allowed to use smartphones until they are 13. Are these bans effective? Plus, Syrian singer Ghaliaa finds her voice in Abu Dhabi. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. We aim to raise $25,000 by June 14. Will you help us reach our goal? Donate today to keep The World going strong!