The World is marking the new year by reflecting on some of its favorite music segments. Hear about how Spanish-language lyrics feel like the norm today, but wasn’t always the case. Also, Austrian British musician Alicia Edelweiss takes the stage with a heavy dose of glittery eye makeup, an accordion and a hula-hoop. Plus, hear about how the cuatro, the national instrument of Venezuela, is gaining in popularity. 

Global leaders are descending on Brazil this weekend for the inauguration of the next president. It's a sign that Brazil will resume ties with many parts of the world that felt disconnected to the country during the previous government. We'll look at the incoming administration of the president known by one name, Lula. Also, some of the most memorable news of 2022, plus a few of our favorite stories we've brought you in the past year.

Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, who set all kinds of world records, died on Thursday at the age of 82. Also, the Biden administration announced that starting on Jan. 5, all travelers from China entering the US will need to present a negative COVID-19 test. How China is responding to the new rule and what it means for US-China cooperation around the pandemic. Plus, the Spanish Canary Islands, just 60 miles off the coast of the Western Sahara, has been a favorite tourist destination. But now it's a stepping stone for migrants trying to reach Europe. 

The US Supreme Court says that Title 42 restrictions must stay in place at the southern border. But that's not the end of the legal fight over this Trump-era border policy. Plus, private security guards actually outnumber the police in Brazil. We'll hear about a training school for security guards. And Soviet cosmonauts during the Cold War communicated with mission control back in the USSR. For more casual conversation, they'd connect with a ham radio operator in Australia. 

Over the last 24 hours, both Russian and Ukrainian officials have expressed interest in peace talks. But only on their own terms. Meanwhile, the fighting on the ground in Ukraine continues. Also, in Afghanistan, the Taliban is continuing to strip back more rights for women. Now, they can no longer work with nongovernmental organizations there. And what did Tyrannosaurus rex actually sound like? Hint: It's not like in the movies.

In this holiday special, The World brings you Sacred Nation stories that focus on how religion impacted people’s lives this year around the globe. An Iraqi Muslim has been helping to preserve Mosul’s Jewish history. Afro Brazilians fear attacks as evangelism grows in Brazil. An ally of Viktor Orban discusses the shifting ideologies of his political career. And a cult in Japan tries to recruit believers in the United States.

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Many people faced a variety of hardships around the world in 2022. But there was also much hope, with people coming together to help others out in their time of need. Today’s show shines a light on those who went out of their way this year to offer a helping hand. World renowned Spanish chef José Ramón Andrés made a trip to the frontlines of Ukraine’s war. A Syrian refugee tried to draw attention to his country’s plight through playing the piano in Germany. A neighbor helped a woman give birth at a temporary shelter in Pakistan. And a pub in Turkey is providing customers with a space where they can share their emotions.

The countdown has begun, and time is running out to donate to The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. We can’t make our goal without your help. Make your gift today to power The World for another year!

Waves of new COVID-19 infections are threatening to overwhelm China’s health care system after the government lifted its stringent quarantine restrictions. And, male faculty members in Afghanistan are standing in solidarity with women after the Taliban-led government decreed that they will be banned from attending universities. Also, Caribbean nations react to the Dutch prime minister’s apology for his country’s history with slavery.

The countdown has begun, and time is running out to donate to The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. We can’t make our goal without your help. Make your gift today to power The World for another year!

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is in Washington, DC, on a surprise visit and plans to address a joint session of Congress. Also, a library and center dedicated to the visual arts of Africa has opened in Accra, Ghana. And, the US Drug Enforcement Administration says it seized enough fentanyl to create 379 million lethal doses in 2022, twice last year’s amount. Plus, a massive spike in COVID-19 cases may not be appearing in government statistics, but they are showing up in videos and images across the internet.

The countdown has begun, and time is running out to donate to The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. We can’t make our goal without your help. Make your gift today to power The World for another year!

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Belarusian capital of Minsk to meet with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. In Ukraine, there's been speculation that Russia is trying to further integrate Belarus into its military command, and increase Belarus' role in the war. And, US President Joe Biden is expected to sign an $843 billion defense budget that includes an alignment with Myanmar’s National Unity Government. This move could put the US at odds with Myanmar’s current military regime and with Russia and China. Also, before the World Cup, Qatar only had one stadium — now it has eight. What happens to these stadiums now that the games are over? Plus, an early Cézanne portrait has been discovered in Cincinnati.

The countdown has begun, and time is running out to donate to The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. We can’t make our goal without your help. Make your gift today to power The World for another year!