North America

Recycled whirligigs remain a fixture in the Japanese countryside

Out of Eden Walk

A constant fixture of National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek’s journey through rural Japan was the whirligig, or as he called them, “seismic scarecrows.” Gardeners he spoke to use these contraptions to scare away crop pests like mice and foxes. Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Salopek about the whirligigs, rural Japanese architectural aesthetics and how he got aboard a cargo ship to cross to North America.

Trump’s sweeping tariffs undermine decades-old global trade system

Some immigrant families fear filing for financial aid

‘People will get hurt’: Cyclists protest after Ontario government passes law to remove bike lanes in Toronto 

Lifestyle & Belief

‘What’s the greatest knowledge a person can have? Know thyself’: Morgan State University hosts banned book symposium in Cuba

In Canada, university and college officials hope for an end to upheaval for international students

Canada has long been an attractive option for international students. It’s seen as a safe and generally non-discriminatory place to study, with impressive schools and post-graduation work rights. But 2024 brought a year of significant changes to the sector. Prospective international students fear an unknown future. The World’s Bianca Hillier reports from Toronto.

College leaders and international students brace for Trump administration

International college students — and their schools in the US — are bracing for President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. College administrators insist foreign students are welcome on campus. But that message doesn’t always match the student experience.

For this Ghanaian American headed to Stanford, supporting her community — even from afar — is her top priority

Kaylyn Noah is attending Stanford and while she’s got a lot on her mind about what lies ahead, she is most concerned about staying connected to her roots.

In the dry Colorado River Delta, the future of these green oases hangs in the balance

Environment

The Colorado River used to flow all the way to the Pacific Ocean. But climate change and steady demand mean that it dries up before it ever gets there. In the part of Mexico where the river once turned into the sea, environmentalists are hoping there’s political will to make things a little greener. KUNC’s Alex Hager has the story.

‘Bad Kreyòl’ premieres in New York

Arts, Culture & Media

A new play that premiered in New York last month tells the story of a pair of cousins — one from America, the other from Haiti — negotiating a difficult relationship, while highlighting the Haitian culture and diaspora.