Bolivians elect a center-right president for the first time in two decades

Full Episode
49:19

Presidential candidate Rodrigo Paz waves to supporters after preliminary results showed him leading in the presidential runoff election in La Paz, Bolivia, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.

Natacha Pisarenko/AP

Bolivians have elected a center-right candidate, Rodrigo Paz, as their new president, ending 20 years of leftist political leadership. Paz’s victory puts the 12-million-strong nation on a notably uncertain path as he attempts to implement significant changes for the first time since 2005. Also, authoritarian governments are increasingly using ‘foreign agent’ laws to intimidate and silence civil society groups and journalists. And, a new study reports that cancer rates in Lebanon are rising faster than anywhere else in the world. Plus,  Hindus worldwide are celebrating Diwali today. The festival of lights involves oil lamps, fireworks … and a bit of friendly gambling.

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

In This Episode

Bolivians elect a center-right president for the first time in two decades
7:44
US envoys arrive in Israel during fragile ceasefire
0:50
Why betting on card games is part of celebrating Diwali
4:15
Jewels stolen from Paris’ top museum part of a trend
2:56
How ‘foreign agent’ laws threaten democracy worldwide
5:03
Teen booking agent produced world famous jazz concert; new film reveals how
11:18
US and Australia sign rare earths deal
0:40
Lebanon cancer rates soar past other places
5:06
In Antarctica, the impulse to explore clashes with the need to protect 
Special Coverage
7:30