On today's show: American presidential candidates aren’t the only political leaders who face scrutiny about their health. We look at some memorable cases.Milos Stehlik of Facets Multimedia will discuss the new Oliver Stone film, Snowden, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The movie dramatizes the story of controversial former NSA contractor, turned whistleblower, Edward Snowden. Song of the Goat Theater, a group of drummers and artists from Poland, will perform its interpretation of King Lear at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

On today's show:A new report examines how the changing climate is linked to everything from mortality rates to instances of sexual assault. A Unitarian couple traveled from Massachusetts to Europe in 1939 to help save political dissidents and Jewish refugees who were fleeing the Nazis. Their grandson teamed up with filmmaker Ken Burns to tell their story in the new documentary Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War.For our Global Activism series, we hear about an individual who started helping Ugandan street kids and later created the Child Restoration Outreach Support Organization (CROSO).  

On today's show: A U.S.-Russia brokered ceasefire in Syria is still holding. Critics say the truce has little chance of lasting. We get an update on the situation.  The Cameroonian government must decide by November if it will continue a land lease from a U.S. firm. A new report accuses the U.S. government of pressuring Cameroon officials to continue leasing.  On Global Notes, Tony Sarabia remembers legendary ska singer Prince Buster, who passed away last week.

On today's show:After North Korea detonated a nuclear weapon on Friday, the U.S. today sent two bombers to fly over ally South Korea in a show of force. We get the latest from Korean peninsula expert Bruce Cumings of the University of Chicago.In 122 A.D., the Roman Emperor Hadrian began work in Britannia on a wall to mark the boundaries of the Roman Empire and keep out “barbarians”. Historian John Schmidt has the story. 

Since the end of WWII, thousands of children have been adopted into the U.S. from foreign countries. Now, a loophole in immigration law leaves them without U.S. citizenship. “The Adoptee Rights Campaign”, wants a Congressional amendment to grant them retroactive citizenship. Plus, Chicago has a strong and vibrant Polish community. But how just how Polish is this city, really? Jesse Dukes from WBEZ’s Curious City answers those and more questions in a special documentary on Polish Chicago.

A far-right party hopes to enter Germany's governing body for the first time in 72 years. Andreas Kluth of The Economist joins us to talk about the rise of the AfD. And our film contributor is just back from the 43rd annual Telluride Film Festival. He’ll share some of the highlights. Plus, global citizen Nari Safavi tells us where we can keep an eye on contemporary India this weekend.

Last night presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton took part in forum on NBC news focused on national security, foreign policy and services for US veterans. The audience was largely made up of members of the US military. How did they do? And in this week's World History Minute, Brazil celebrates the 1822 anniversary of its independence. Plus, introducing Chicagoans to Colombian art.

On today's show:Members of 60 tribes have gathered in opposition to the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline that will pass through Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota and South Dakota. While Boy Scouts flirted with imperialism and militarism, Girl Scouts emphasized international cooperation and empowerment. A look at the origins of the Girl Scouts. Juan Gabriel's music was the soundtrack to many Mexicans' entire lives. His untimely death at 66 leaves a vacuum in Mexico's musical landscape. We play some of his hits and discuss his legacy.

On today's show: Worldview presents a two-day special series on the origins of the Boys and Girls Scouts. Much of what we’ve learned surprised us and may surprise you. Today, Boy Scouts. For our EcoMyths segment, we continue a series called, “What the Plant?” Due to Climate Change, two of the most popular varieties of coffee plants are a few years from possible extinction.

On today's show:The Syrian Community Network has helped resettle 14 families in the Chicago area and 1500 in the US. As part of “A Nation Engaged,” we look at U.S. refugee policy. Historian John Schmidt tells us about a Middle East Peace treaty that worked, at least in the short term: the Treaty of Jaffa. We get a preview performance of this weekend’s concert by Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwal with Zeshan & the Transistors.