In the wake of a drone attack in Jordan by a militia in Iraq that killed three US soldiers, the US has conducted airstrikes across the region against armed groups backed by Iran. The US must search for retaliatory tactics that are proportional but prevent further escalation. And, things got dicey in Hong Kong yesterday when Lionel Messi sat out the match against a local team. When Messi was a late scratch from the roster, fans erupted in boos and chanted repeatedly for refunds. Also, huge wildfires are sweeping through central Chile, causing enormous damage, especially near the coastal resort city of Viña del Mar. Chilean officials are investigating claims that the fires were intentionally set. Plus, sound plays a big role in Oscar-nominated films this year.

Israel continues to engage with Hamas militants in Gaza, with the casualty toll mounting. Not enough food and medicine can get through to stave off a famine. And, is a united Ireland on the horizon? Northern Ireland has been without a functioning government for almost two years, but the Democratic Unionist party struck a new deal with the British government that should see the Northern Ireland assembly up and running again. Also, a mobile app designed to make applying for asylum in the US much easier was rife with problems. A year on, however, most of the problems have been fixed. Plus, a poster of Christ in Spain causes Holy Week controversy.

El Salvador has transformed in the past few years from one of the most-violent countries in Latin America to one of the safest. That's largely due to the intense crackdown on gangs by President Nayib Bukele, who is up for reelection this weekend, and expecting a resounding win. And, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are leaving the Economic Community of West African States, known as ECOWAS. All three countries have all experienced military coups in the past few years, and they say the regional trade organization is not helping them fight terrorism. Also, Venezuela and Guyana have been ramping up nationalist propaganda campaigns as a border dispute over the remote Essequibo region, rich in oil and gold, intensifies. Plus, why insects go into the light.

Hopes are dimming for Ukraine's spring push to drive Russia from its territory. Kyiv’s long-awaited counteroffensive has fallen flat and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is reportedly planning to fire his top commander. And, a court in Pakistan ordered former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife to serve long prison terms. It was the second sentence Khan received in two days related to corruption charges. Also, a report by the independent Russian investigative newspaper, The Insider, says a Latvian member of the EU parliament has been working as an agent for the FSB, Russia's intelligence service, for decades. Plus, Turkey's "Sultans of the Net" inspire a generation of girls to play volleyball.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says he is headed to Cairo to discuss a ceasefire proposal that emerged after talks in Paris. Qatar, the US and Egypt are pushing for a halt to hostilities that lasts at least a month. But Hamas is calling for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. And, for nearly 20 years, Canadian Olympians have received as much as $15,000 for earning a gold medal at the Olympics. Canadian Paralympians, though, have never been paid — until now. Also, Canada's government announced this week its intention to delay the expansion of the medically assisted in dying program, known as MAID. It follows a series of hearings about whether those only with a mental illness should be allowed to seek out euthanasia. Plus, ants, lions and zebras!

President Joe Biden said the US will respond to an attack that killed three American service members in Jordan over the weekend. US troops in the Middle East have come under increasing attacks in recent months amid the war in Gaza. And, the sudden resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay earlier this month is sparking debate about authoritarian influences creeping into higher education. Gay is the second Ivy League president to resign following testimony to Congress about antisemitism on campus. Also, journalist Paul Salopek has been walking across the globe for the past 11 years. The journey is part of his "Out Of Eden Walk" project in collaboration with Inside National Geographic. Plus, the 24th annual International Guitar Night begins this month.

The top United Nations court on Friday issued a ruling that stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. But the International Court of Justice at The Hague also ordered Israel to do more to prevent civilian deaths in the Palestinian enclave. Also, NATO kicked off its largest military exercises since the Cold War. It involves all 31 NATO member countries and 90,000 troops. Plus, Australia Day commemorates the day in 1788 when British colonists arrived and raised the Union Jack. And every year, it sparks a public debate about cultural identity, history and what it really means to be Australian. 

Cuba is going through its worst economic crisis in decades. Last week, Cuban government officials announced a new package of austerity measures, which include massive hikes for transportation fares, as well as fuel, electricity, and natural gas, and further restrictions on businesses. And, earlier this week, the US Supreme Court allowed border agents to remove razor wire along the US-Mexico border. Local authorities had installed the fencing to curb migration. Also, it's rare to hear people asking to pay more taxes. But earlier this month, more than 250 of the self-proclaimed super-rich signed an open letter calling on world leaders to tax them more. Plus, a liquor store has opened in Saudia Arabia for the first time in 70 years. 

Russian state media says that a military plane crashed near Russia's border with Ukraine, killing everyone on board. The Russian Defense Ministry says those killed included 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were on board. Also, South Africa is bringing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, accusing Israel of carrying out genocide in Gaza. Germany announced it would intervene in support of Israel. And in Kenya, a sport called padel, which is a mix between tennis and squash, is all the rage. New courts are being built all over Nairobi.   

The Biden administration wants Israelis and Palestinians to get serious about restarting a plan for a two-state solution. The European Union and Arab leaders agree, along many across the international community. But Israel is digging in its heels. And, soon after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin established a group of allied countries to support the besieged nation. Now, for the first time, the Pentagon is out of money for Ukraine. Also, global cocaine production is at historic highs, and cartels are developing new trade routes to get it to market. We hear why much of the rise in cocaine use in Latin America is in Brazil. Plus, the journey of one Venezuelan man to a Colorado town. 

This past weekend, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across Germany to protest the far-right Alternative for Germany party, the AFD. Protests erupted after journalists revealed that members met with neo-Nazis to discuss mass deportations, including of citizens. And,  two incidents of racial abuse interrupted play in Europe over the weekend. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for “an automatic forfeit for the team whose fans have committed racism," but critics are skeptical. Also, Bologna has become the first major city in Italy to introduce a speed limit for traffic of19 miles per hour in the city. Several other European cities have also lowered their speed limits to curb fatalities, but the restrictions have gotten a lot of backlash. Plus, Haiti's jazz festival flourishes despite security challenges. 

Climate change continues to adversely affect the infectious disease situation across the globe. Countries like Zambia, Bangladesh and Sudan are seeing a rise in infectious disease cases as they battle climate change. Cholera and dengue fever are two examples of such diseases. And, on Friday, the South African government said it would continue its attempt to stop the sale of items that once belonged to Nelson Mandela. While his daughter says sales will fund a memorial garden in her father's honor, the government wants to keep the items in South Africa as pieces of national heritage. Also, in1972, 11 members of Israel's Olympic delegation were killed at the Munich Games. What happened there continues to worry Israeli athletes as an Israeli delegation heads to Qatar for the World Aquatics Championships next month. Plus, did the song "We are the World" make the world better?

The US carried out new attacks against the Houthis in Yemen, its fourth in the past few days. The Houthis are supported by Iran, which has also supported various militia groups across the Middle East. We hear from US Deputy Special Envoy for Iran Abram Paley. And, ever since the military threw out Myanmar's democratically elected government in 2021, armed resistance groups have been battling to oust them. In the past few months, small armies of ethnic groups have taken over towns along the Indian and Chinese borders. Also, on Thursday, Pakistan's military carried out attacks inside of Iran, targetting militants. It follows Iran's strikes on militants in Pakistan. Both attacks occurred in Balochistan, an ethnic region shared by the two countries. Plus, the fallout from Britain's post office scandal continues.

China's birthrate has declined for a second year in a row. We hear about the impact of changing attitudes among young Chinese women on the birthrate. And, independence-minded Catalan parties in Spain's ruling coalition have come out swinging in 2024. They're demanding control of borders and immigration for their northeast region, and want to set a date for a controversial second referendum to form their own country. Also, health care professionals are struggling to treat a staggering number of patients in Gaza. Surgeon Nick Maynard recently returned to the UK after leading an emergency medical team there. Plus, women bird guides in Uganda set a global example. 

Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched ballistic missiles at what it called Israeli “spy headquarters” in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region Monday night. Experts say it's another sign that the Israel-Hamas conflict is expanding. And, the Israel Defense Forces have told the families of two hostages held by Hamas that they are gravely concerned about them. That's after Hamas showed a video in which two hostages appeared to be dead. Israelis are getting impatient with the slow progress by their government in negotiating another prisoner exchange. Also, the market is huge for NIL deals allowing student athletes to monetize their names. But international student athletes have been left out of the lucrative deals due to visa laws. Plus, pig poop pollution in Spain.Today we launch a new format to our show! Carolyn Beeler will begin co-hosting The World along with longtime host Marco Werman at the helm and host Carol Hills — produced by Boston-based GBH and PRX.

Volcanic eruptions are not unusual in Iceland, but they rarely require residents to evacuate their homes. One resident from the village of Grindavik talks about what it’s like to watch lava engulf her town and set homes ablaze. Also, like many cities in the US, Dakar, Senegal, has a street named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Most residents there don't know the street name, but they do know about the man behind it. And, the art of hacking has become stealthier and smarter over the years. Chinese hackers are particularly capable of hiding their code used to infiltrate systems around the world. The "Click Here" podcast reports on how they're able to do this. Plus, Sunday marked 100 days of fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas since Oct. 7. The war continues unabated with little pressure on either side to end the fighting. We discuss the likelihood of a ceasefire and what the next period will bring in Gaza.Don’t forget to join us tomorrow for a new format to our show! Carolyn Beeler will begin co-hosting The World along with longtime host Marco Werman at the helm and host Carol Hills — produced by Boston-based GBH and PRX.

The night skies flared orange on Thursday night in Yemen as the US and UK made airstrikes on Houthi targets in the country. US President Joe Biden said it was in response to Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. And, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrapped up a trip to three Baltic nations. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia have all provided an outsized portion of their gross domestic product in money and weapons for Ukraine. Also, Sheikh Imam and Ahmed Negm wrote stinging rebukes of Egypt's autocrats in the 1960s and 1970s. Decades later, their music was sung to topple Egypt’s autocratic leaders in 2011. Plus, an ancient city is discovered in the rainforests of Ecuador.We are excited to announce that The World’s Carolyn Beeler will be co-hosting our daily show along with Marco Werman beginning Jan. 16. 🎙️Be sure to tune in!

Ecuador’s president has declared his country is in “a state of war” with drug gangs and has given the military extraordinary powers to combat drug traffickers. The move comes after armed men invaded a TV station’s live afternoon newscast and a powerful drug gang leader escaped from prison. And, Ellie Highwood crocheted a "global warming blanket" as a baby gift for climate scientist parents back in 2017. The design has made quite an impact on the climate change activism movement. Also, attacks between US and Iraqi militias backed by Iran have been escalating. Iraqi politicians are becoming more vocal in their demand to kick the US out of the country, but some quietly want the US to stay. Plus, the family size is shrinking. We are excited to announce that The World’s Carolyn Beeler will be co-hosting our daily show along with Marco Werman beginning Jan. 16. 🎙️Be sure to tune in!

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the Israeli-occupied West Bank today, to meet with the leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. He's trying to end the Israel-Hamas war and talk about a post-war Gaza. And, the low-lying Chattogram district in Bangladesh is prone to rising sea-levels, extreme flooding and cyclones. Advocates say authorities must do a better job of helping people with disabilities navigate climate emergencies. Also, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched their largest-yet drone and missile attack in the Red Sea on Tuesday. Retired US Admiral James Stavridis said the US should consider retaliation, including a land strike on Houthi infrastructure. Plus, Norway approves exploration for deep-sea mining.We are excited to announce that The World’s Carolyn Beeler will be co-hosting our daily show along with Marco Werman beginning Jan. 16. 🎙️Be sure to tune in!

The year 2023 is officially the warmest year on record, by an alarming margin, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Earth was 1.48 degrees Celsius hotter last year compared to pre-industrial levels — dangerously close to the 1.5-degree threshold flagged in the Paris climate deal. And, the war in Ukraine is close to entering its third year. Yaroslav Trofimov, a war correspondent with The Wall Street Journal, has written a new book, "Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence." Also, hearings begin on Thursday at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, where South Africa is accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in its Gaza offensive. Israel has rejected the case as "baseless," but unlike in previous cases at international tribunals, it plans to vigorously defend itself in front of the court. Plus, an immigrant family discovers America in a station wagon.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s five-day Middle East mission is raising questions about the limits of US leverage in the region and how Washington’s agenda is diverging from Israel’s goals. And, since Dec. 20, Nicaraguan police and paramilitary units have detained more than a dozen priests and bishops, as the left-wing authoritarian regime of Daniel Ortega escalates a campaign against the Catholic Church. Also, Hezbollah emerged during Lebanon's civil war with the intention of ending Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon. With Iran's backing, it has become the strongest military force in Lebanon, and one of the strongest militias in the region. Four decades after its founding, some say that it is a state within a state. Plus, Inuit in Denmark embrace their heritage with tattoos.

As US and European officials press Israeli and Palestinian leaders for what's next, many in the West Bank aren't looking to the future at all. Even while they've long derided the current old guard, young Palestinians say there's no future to be had as long as the killing in Gaza goes on. And, in a series of raids in eight Turkish provinces, police detained more than 30 people that Turkey has accused of working for Mossad, Israeli intelligence. Officials claim the suspects were planning to kidnap Palestinians living in Turkey. Also, it's been a turbulent few weeks for Poland's TV and radio channels. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has been following through on his promise to overhaul public media in Poland, and the shake-up is under scrutiny from the right and the left. Plus, this punk musician turns to ranchera. Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to support The World during our fall fundraising drive. We heard from 688 donors and raised more than $67,000. From all of us at The World — thank you! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

Many suspected that Israel was behind the attack that killed at least 84 people in southern Iran on Wednesday. But today, ISIS said two of its members detonated the powerful bombs that came on the death anniversary of Iranian commander Qassem Suleimani, who fiercely opposed ISIS. And, pandemic closures made visa processing delays much longer than usual. Now consulates are staffed up again, but substantial delays remain because of large numbers of visa applicants. Also, North Korea has shuttered its diplomatic missions in Hong Kong, Spain, Bangladesh and six other places in recent months, with experts watching for more closures in 2024. Pyongyang vaguely explains this as a reaction to “changing global environments," but signs indicate a dialing back of old-school revenue sources. Plus, this Libyan pop star wants to go global. ____Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to support The World during our fall fundraising drive. We heard from 688 donors and raised more than $67,000. From all of us at The World — thank you! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

A massive explosion occurred at a commemoration ceremony for slain Iranian military leader, Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Kerman, Iran. The blast killed more than 100 people and injured over 140 others. Soleimani, a highly regarded and feared Iranian commander, was killed in an attack by the US in 2020. And, Lebanon is reacting to the killing of a top Hamas official, Saleh al-Arouri, in its capital on Tuesday. The strike targeted Hamas offices in Beirut as senior members gathered for a meeting. Also, drivers usually didn't have to wait long to cross the border from San Diego to Tijuana. But growth in border towns now means rush hours in both directions. Plus, a teenaged darts phenom reaches the finals.Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to support The World during our fall fundraising drive. We heard from 688 donors and raised more than $67,000. From all of us at The World — thank you! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

In an 8 to 7 vote, Israel's highest court on Monday ruled against a law that would limit its powers. Prime Minister Netanyahu's right-wing government had passed the reforms in parliament in an effort to overhaul the country's judicial system. The move was met with months of regular streets protests. And, we remember Peter Magubane, who shot photos in Soweto and across South Africa during apartheid and its unraveling. He eventually became Nelson Mandela's official photographer. Also, Kyiv was again targeted Tuesday morning by Russian missiles. We hear about the civilian toll and Ukraine's response. Plus, a Palestinian American uses music to connect to family.Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to support The World during our fall fundraising drive. We heard from 688 donors and raised more than $67,000. From all of us at The World — thank you! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

Hip-hop turned 50 this summer. Its influence has been felt in all corners of the globe. The World traveled the landscape and kicked off its Planet Hip Hop series with H. Samy Alim, professor of anthropology and director of the Hip Hop Initiative at UCLA. We also looked at how young Egyptians have used music to push back against the authorities trying to suppress it. And in India, we examined artists using hip-hop to stand up to one of the world's oldest forms of discrimination: caste. Plus in Myanmar, rappers have been considered the artistic arm of a revolution to bring down the ruling military junta through armed rebellion.Show us you’re with The World and make a gift today! Your support ensures we can continue bringing you the empathetic and human-centered journalism you expect. Hurry to make your gift before our fundraiser ends Dec 31. https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

An official count by Ukraine shows that Russia fired 122 missiles targeting civilian areas and cities across the country in the largest attack since the beginning of the war. Also, Patrice Lumumba was a major figure of post-colonial Africa, becoming the first prime minister of Democratic Republic of Congo when it gained independence from Belgium in 1960 — but he died less than a year later. A new book examines CIA involvement in Lumumba's execution. And, in a normal year, tourists and pilgrims would pack hotels in Jerusalem. But this year, many of the hotels are full of Israelis who have escaped violence in communities near the Gaza Strip and Lebanon borders. Plus, entomologist Samuel Ramsey, one of the leading experts on bees and the parasites that threaten their colonies worldwide, talks about developments in bee research over the past year.Show us you’re with The World and make a gift today! Your support ensures we can continue bringing you the empathetic and human-centered journalism you expect. Hurry to make your gift before our fundraiser ends Dec 31. https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

The Biden administration has announced that it’s sending another military aid package to Ukraine worth $250 million. In Kyiv, Ukrainian officials are looking ahead to the new year and making plans for what the war effort may look like in 2024. Also, as the death toll reaches 21,000, many people in Gaza have left all kinds of final messages – both publicly, and to loved ones — to tell them what they would want to be known for in the event of their death. And, Spain's recent amnesty deal for Catalan separatists has led to political upheaval, with conservatives taking to the streets by the tens of thousands. But the protests ignore the country's long history of amnesty measures and pardons. Plus, Mexico says it wants to see progress in US relations with Cuba and Venezuela.Show us you’re with The World and make a gift today! Your support ensures we can continue bringing you the empathetic and human-centered journalism you expect. Hurry to make your gift before our fundraiser ends Dec 31. https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

Christians make up about 1,000 of the roughly 2 million people in Gaza, but they have deep connections to the land. So far, 2% of the Christian population has been killed during the current Israel-Hamas war, and members of the community worry this could be the end of the Christian presence in Gaza. Also, an English Premier League game was officiated by a Black referee this week for the first time in 15 years and only the second time in the league's history. Plus, during the 20-year US-led war in Afghanistan, there were a number of Afghan female soldiers who fought alongside American troops, with many of them being able to flee after US troops left the country in 2021. And, if you missed it the first time, a conversation with New York Times food writer Yewande Komolafe about her book, "My Everyday Lagos: Nigerian Cooking at Home and in the Diaspora."Show us you’re with The World and make a gift today! Your support ensures we can continue bringing you the empathetic and human-centered journalism you expect. Hurry to make your gift before our fundraiser ends Dec 31. https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

Israel is suspected of being behind the assassination of an Iranian revolutionary guard general in Syria over the weekend. The US also attacked pro-Iran groups in Iraq following an attack on US positions by these same groups. We take a look at Israel's hints at its willingness to regionalize the war between itself and Hamas. Also, after missing for three weeks, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has resurfaced in an Arctic penal colony in Siberia. And, the same wall preventing people from migrating across the US-Mexico border is also impacting wildlife. Plus, musician Zach Condon leads the band, Beirut, but his latest album is a solo project, recorded at an isolated cabin in Hadsel, Norway, near the Arctic Circle.Show us you’re with The World and make a gift today! Your support ensures we can continue bringing you the empathetic and human-centered journalism you expect. Hurry to make your gift before our fundraiser ends Dec 31. https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

Today, we're bringing you a special Christmas edition, with stories from ordinary people about extraordinary experiences. Like one Muslim father's creative Christmas stories, with a Persian touch. Hear personal tales from people all over the world in these pieces from Stories From The Stage on The World.Time is running out to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. We need your help to make our goal. Donate today to power The World for another year! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution today calling for more aid to be distributed to residents in Gaza. The US abstained from the vote, after a week of wrangling during which the US Ambassador to the UN crafted language to ensure that the US wouldn't veto the resolution. And, US President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, to discuss the number of migrants at the border. More than 10,000 people have been crossing into the US every day this week. Also, after an outstanding victory this past summer, Bernardo Arévalo is scheduled to be sworn in as the President of Guatemala on Jan. 14. But the country's ruling class is preventing him from taking office. Plus, a look at the writer who published a satirical magazine while hiding in a Dutch home during WWII.Time is running out to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. We need your help to make our goal. Donate today to power The World for another year! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

The Egyptian government is working to broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Also, young people in Britain have been drifting away from organized religion. But one group that's not part of that trend is Muslims. In Part 4 of our weeklong series about youth and faith in the United Kingdom, we'll visit one part of east London where young Muslims make up a huge portion of the community. Plus, Thailand just changed the legal definition of marriage, which will allow same-sex couples there to officially tie the knot. This change has been many years in the making. And, a federal judge in Australia just slapped Airbnb with a $20 million fine for tricking customers into paying higher prices. 

The Sudanese state of Al-Jazirah has fallen to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in a matter of days. Some experts are concerned that a destabilizing military force like the RSF might overrun the whole country, with potentially huge effects on regional security. Also, a new documentary highlights the role Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has played from the Oslo Accords all the way up to today's war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. And, after years of debate, the EU has reached an agreement on reforms designed to share the cost of hosting migrants and refugees, and limit the numbers of people coming in to the bloc. Separately, the French Parliament passed a strict immigration reform law. Plus, election candidates in Taiwan are converging on temples to demonstrate their piety to the public.Time is running out to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. We need your help to make our goal. Donate today to power The World for another year! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

In Hong Kong, a high-profile trial will decide the fate of Jimmy Lai. The media mogul is on trial for charges of colluding with foreign forces to endanger Chinese national security, and conspiring with others to put out seditious publications. And, on Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law that allows Texas police to arrest migrants suspected of entering the state illegally. The law, known as SB-4, takes effect in March. Also, there's been renewed efforts at establishing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. A number of countries are working with the two sides to find common ground toward a potential ceasefire and release of hostages. Plus, penguin rescue in South Africa. Time is running out to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. We need your help to make our goal. Donate today to power The World for another year! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O

After three hostages were killed by the Israeli army last week, the families of those still in captivity are putting more pressure on the Netanyahu government to get them released. Palestinians say the killings highlight that the Israeli army doesn't follow its own stated rules of engagement. Also, US Steel, once the largest steel company in the world, announced that it's being sold to the Japanese firm Nippon Steel for just over $14 billion. And, the Church of England is adopting a new strategy of evangelicalism to reverse the trends of low church attendance and a growing number of youth saying they don’t identify with any particular religion. Plus, Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who was imprisoned in Russia on a 19-year sentence, could not be reached for court hearings recently. His lawyers have not heard from him since Dec. 6.___Time is running out to support The World before our fundraising drive ends on Dec. 31. We need your help to make our goal. Donate today to power The World for another year! https://on.prx.org/3S9gY0O 

It’s been a bittersweet 24 hours for Ukraine. First, the unexpected news that EU leaders have agreed to start talks to allow Ukraine join the bloc. But hours later came the blow: A funding package for Ukraine worth more than $55 billion had been vetoed by Hungary. And, ever since the brutal attack by Hamas in Israel, the group has been charged with committing acts of sexual violence. But it was just last week, two months after the event, that the UN's Special Representative on Sexual Violence expressed "grave concern" over these reports. Also, a rusting oil tanker with a million barrels of oil was in danger of breaking up when a rescue mission was launched this year by the UN. Veteran diplomat David Gressly is credited with averting a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe in the Red Sea by brokering a deal to replace the endangered vessel. Plus, the sounds of late Malian guitarist Zani Diabaté live on.___We are able to bring you human-centered journalism because listeners like you financially support our independent newsroom. Will you make a donation today to keep The World going strong? Give now.

Concerns remain in Egypt around the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip. The crossing has been the main point of entry for aid into the beseiged region as the war between Hamas and Israel continues. And, in Moscow on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a marathon four-hour, end-of-year press conference, featuring questions from journalists and Russian citizens from across the country. What was on his agenda? Also, the Gingerbread City is an annual holiday season display of edible urban designs in London, and for the first time, in New York. Architects in both cities use gingerbread, gumdrops and icing to try out ideas for building sustainable cities. Plus, a debut concert in Rwanda to attract touring musicians in Africa.We are able to bring you human-centered journalism because listeners like you financially support our independent newsroom. Will you make a donation today to keep The World going strong? Give now.

For the first time ever, negotiators at this year's UN climate summit have addressed the leading cause of climate change — fossil fuels. They have reached a historicl deal to transition away from them, but many countries are criticizing the agreement's loopholes and walking away unhappy. And, while most of the 2024 Paris Olympics will take place inside of Paris city limits, the surfing competition will happen nearly 10,000 miles away in Tahiti. Games organizers are planning to build a $5 million aluminum judging tower in the lagoon. Also, the "Click Here" podcast reports that Ukrainian officials are working with the International Criminal Court to collect the data and file cases so those who commit war crimes don't go free. Plus, the original surf sound.We are able to bring you human-centered journalism because listeners like you financially support our independent newsroom. Will you make a donation today to keep The World going strong? Give now.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is back in Washington on Tuesday, making a plea for continued US military aid. Also, Poland is making a political U-turn away from the right-wing government that's been in charge for the last eight years. We'll hear more about Donald Tusk, the new Polish prime minister. And, what the world searched for on Wikipedia and Google over the past year. It turns out, people from different parts of the globe have very different interests. Our listener-funded newsroom can’t run without your support. Will you give today to keep our newsroom running strong and help us earn a $67,000 match? 

In Jordan, there are signs of growing sympathy for Hamas as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza continues. In the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, Christian leaders have decided to tone down Christmas celebrations. Also, the European Union is taking steps to regulate AI technology. And at the International Space Station, new evidence proves that astronaut Frank Rubio did not — after all — eat the first space tomato. Our listener-funded newsroom can’t run without your support. Will you give today to keep our newsroom running strong and help us earn a $67,000 match? 

Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was arrested by Russian authorities about a month ago. We'll hear about the conditions she's dealing with in detention. Also, the new right-wing government in New Zealand wants to pull back on the use of the Maori language. A lot of New Zealanders are not happy about this, and they've been taking to the streets in protest. And, the painkiller drug Nolotil is banned in the US, UK and Ireland, but still being prescribed in Spain. The drug has been linked with the deaths of several dozen British and Irish people.Our listener-funded newsroom can’t run without your support. Will you give today to keep our newsroom running strong and help us earn a $67,000 match? 

As global leaders meet at the UN climate conference this week in Dubai, El Hierro, a tiny island in the Canaries, is halfway to the UN goal of ditching fossil fuels. But finding just the right renewable energy mix is proving tough. And, inside Hamas, the Shura Council is the main consultative body that chooses a leader in their politburo. We learn about Hamas leadership and how their command structure operates. Also, a recent hack of the genetic testing company 23andMe has left millions of people around the world with their personal data available online. Plus, a missionary's ill-fated mission. Our listener-funded newsroom can’t run without your support. Will you give today to keep our newsroom running strong and help us earn a $67,000 match?

This week, the US announced it was imposing visa travel restrictions on Israeli settlers involved in violence in the occupied West Bank. It's considered a rare punishment of Israelis by the US but comes as settler violence is on the rise. And, most of the Thai farm workers abducted by Hamas have returned home, with nine remaining in captivity. The 23 freed workers are now filtering back to their towns and villages in Thailand's rural upcountry. Also, in Washington, Congress is at a standstill over funding for Ukraine. The Biden administration has been pushing to pass a supplemental funding bill that would include roughly $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. But Republicans have signaled that they will block the funding. Plus, a Spanish theater is fined for barring snacks from outside.Our listener-funded newsroom can’t run without your support. Will you give today to keep our newsroom running strong and help us earn a $67,000 match?

A former career American diplomat has been charged with serving as a secret agent for communist Cuba. Manuel Rocha is accused of being a Cuban mole inside the US government for decades. And, negotiators at the UN climate summit in Dubai are grappling with whether to call for a phase-out of fossil fuels. Australia, a major fossil fuel producer, is under a lot of pressure from Pacific countries and Western allies to join this pledge. Also, Israel and Hamas continue to battle in the Gaza Strip as the death toll from fighting climbs higher. The focus is now centered around the town of Khan Younis, where civilians have been told to evacuate by the Israel Defense Forces. Plus, the sound of Danish dystopian punk.___Our listener-funded newsroom can’t run without your support. Will you give today to keep our newsroom running strong and help us earn a $67,000 match?

With fighting resuming between Israel and Hamas, disease is spreading among the Gaza civilian population. Potable water is harder to find and southern Gaza is more cramped as people flee airstrikes by Israel's military. And, three commercial ships were hit by missiles launched by the Houthis in Yemen on Sunday. A US Navy destroyer, the USS Carney, came to their defense and shot down three Houthi-operated drones. Also, Russian customs data show that parts that could be used in military hardware are coming into the country through Turkey. The country did not impose sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, but it pledged to not help Russia circumvent them. Plus, a new Bjork song pays homage to her native Iceland's wild fish.Our listener-funded newsroom can’t run without your support. Will you give today to keep our newsroom running strong and help us earn a $67,000 match? 

After a seven-day pause in fighting, during which Hamas and Israel exchanged hostages and prisoners, any chance of extending it has collapsed. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been leaning on Israel to reduce the civilian carnage in their bombing campaign. And, climate change poses an existential threat to Tuvalu, a small island nation in the Pacific. By the end of the century, scientists say it could sink under the rising seas. Also, the US National Park Service announced this week that they plan to remove roughly 200 cats from the Paseo del Morro National Recreational Trail at the San Juan National Historic Site in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Park Service says the cats are an invasive species and could transmit disease. Plus, penguins take thousands of naps every day.We can’t thank you enough for listening to and supporting The World! If you donate $100 during our fall drive, you will receive a special playlist curated for you by our team at The World. Learn more and give today.

A US federal indictment alleges that a Sikh activist named Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was the target of a murder-for-hire. The US government says that Nikhil Gupta was the facilitator working with an Indian official who remains unnamed. And, day by day, more Israeli hostages are being released by Hamas. We hear about Israeli public opinion as Israeli hostages are being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza. Also, Henry Kissinger oversaw some of the most consequential foreign policy decisions of the 20th century. Both revered and vilified, he leaves behind a complicated legacy. Plus, a planetary dance around a nearby star. 

Israel's military and political leaders say they still plan to eliminate Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the current pause in fighting ends. Hamas — a militant group and political party— has been able to defend its presence in Gaza despite the nearly two-monthslong war with Israel. And, for more than four decades, UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have tried to keep the peace between Israel and Lebanon. Tensions are flaring yet again on the Blue Line that divides the two countries. Also, despite a recent election in Poland, it is unclear exactly which party will rule the country's next government. But humanitarians are concerned that Poland's rough, and possibly illegal, treatment of refugees will stay the same, with little change to the border wall built to prevent more people from coming in through Belarus. Plus, Ed Sheeran has fans around the world.-----We can’t thank you enough for listening to and supporting The World! If you donate $100 during our fall drive, you will receive a special playlist curated for you by our team at The World. Learn more and give today.

Israel and Hamas say the temporary truce in Gaza will continue for another two days in order to facilitate the release of more hostages and prisoners. Also, ahead of COP28, confidence in the global process for addressing climate change is flagging. This year, the president of the climate summit hosted by Dubai is also the head of a national oil company. And a new documentary called "Beyond Utopia" follows a secret operation to move North Korean defectors along a treacherous route, through China and into South Korea.

The ceasefire brokered between Israel and Hamas — that has been extended for another two days — has given Gaza a brief respite from the war. But the flow of aid into the enclave, including water, food and medical supplies, still remains tenuous. Also, South Africa has been one of the few countries to cut diplomatic ties with Israel. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the deaths and destruction in Gaza are tantamount to war crimes and many South African leaders believe Israel's control over the Palestinian territories resembles apartheid. And in the Netherlands, controversial far-right politician Geert Wilders and his party won the Dutch parliamentary election last week in a surprise victory. Plus, a conversation with the feminist activist collective Pussy Riot that's on tour in North America.We can’t thank you enough for listening to and supporting The World! If you donate $100 during our fall drive, you will receive a special playlist curated for you by our team at The World. Learn more and give today.

In this special episode focused on the “The Big Fix,” we hear about climate solutions from around the world. Akureyri, Iceland is on the verge of becoming the world’s first town to go carbon neutral. The town of 18,000 residents has some natural advantages, including abundant hydro and geo-thermal energy. And, the Russian invasion of Ukraine sent energy costs surging, European leaders scrambling for alternative suppliers of gas, and redirected flows of Russian oil toward Asia.  At the time, more than half of Germany’s gas came from Russia. The war pushed a German government that was behind on renewable energy goals to enact some ambitious new policies. Also, the average size of a small farm in India is less than three acres. That makes small farmers there highly susceptible to the changing weather patterns brought by climate change. Tune in for these stories and more from “The Big Fix."___Our reporting is independent, inclusive and in-depth. Best of all, it’s listener supported. Will you give today to support theThe World? 

On the podcast “Movement," Meklit Hadero interviews musicians with roots around the world about how their histories and personal lives get translated into song. For this special Thanksgiving Day broadcast of The World, we share stories from “Movement," related to family and "found family.”  ___Our reporting is independent, inclusive and in-depth. Best of all, it’s listener supported. Will you give today to support theThe World? 

After weeks of negotiations, Israel and Hamas have finally agreed on a temporary ceasefire in Gaza that would start on Thursday morning. What will follow is the release of dozens of people taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7. In exchange, Israel will set free a large number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. And, 41 construction workers building a 3-mile highway tunnel under the Himalayas have been trapped for more than a week. We hear about the tunnel collapse and the environmental concerns the construction accident has raised. Also, ahead of the upcoming COP28 climate summit in Dubai, the UN has issued its 2023 Emissions Gap Report — and it's pretty grim. Plus, a crisis at the Latvia-Belarus border. ___Our reporting is independent, inclusive, and in-depth. Best of all, it’s listener-supported. Will you give today to support The World?

As Israel and Hamas inch closer to a cease-fire deal, two peace activists with Standing Together have just returned to the Middle East after a weeklong tour of the US. We hear how the current crisis has upended efforts at Arab-Israeli grassroots collaboration. And, on Tuesday, Ukrainians are marking 10 years since the start of the Maidan revolution. As a result of the uprising, Ukraine’s pro-Russian president fled the country, but at the same time, Russia took advantage of the situation and invaded Ukraine. Also, Germany was once lauded as the European Union's most welcoming country when it came to receiving asylum-seekers and refugees. But that reputation is fast fading as politicians from parties on both the left and the right propose measures to cut back on new arrivals. Plus, the cultural history of eyeliner.____Our reporting is independent, inclusive and in-depth. Best of all, it’s listener supported. Will you give today to support theThe World? 

Over the weekend, officials from Qatar said progress had been made on a potential deal to release some of the nearly 240 hostages Hamas took captive from Israel on Oct. 7. The agreement would reportedly mean that Hamas would set free around 50 women and children and in return, Israel would agree to a temporary ceasefire of several days. And, since the start of the war in Gaza, communication blackouts have become common. Without phones, people can't call for an ambulance or let their families know they are alive. Also, Kenya’s Parliament approved the deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti, to lead a multinational force to help deal with the rise in gang violence. But the same day, the country’s High Court temporarily blocked the deployment amid a legal challenge from opposition politicians. Plus, remembering Rosalynn Carter. ____Our reporting is independent, inclusive and in-depth. Best of all, it’s listener supported. Will you give today to support theThe World?

Aid agencies say that deliveries of basic humanitarian goods into Gaza are practically nonexistent. The United Nations is warning that starvation is an immediate possibility. And, Israel has reportedly cut off the water that it supplied to Gaza via pipeline and has also severely limited the fuel needed to run desalination plants, leaving some 2 million people in the Gaza Strip with little to no water. Also, an estimated 1 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities remain imprisoned in China, four years after the country claimed to have closed a network of "reeducation camps" in the country's far western Xinjiang region. We hear from a survivor who served time in the system, and Uyghur activists who fear a thaw in US-China relations will mean their loved ones are forgotten. Plus, how do horses fly? Listener support ensures that the coverage we provide on air, online and through our podcast is free and accessible to everyone. Help us keep The World free! Give today.

After a historic meeting with President Biden outside San Francisco on Wednesday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said his country was ready to be a partner and friend of the US. We ask if the four-hour summit changed the fundamental dynamic of the superpowers. And, the Israeli air force dropped leaflets on the eastern part of Khan Yunis, the second largest city in the Gaza Strip, warning people to evacuate. Huge numbers of civilians emptied out of the north after similar warnings from the Israeli military. With nowhere to go, Gazan civilians are increasingly cornered in the ongoing war. Also, negotiators are working on a deal to release a large group of hostages taken by Hamas. Even if some or all are freed, it won't change how deeply Israelis have been affected by the events of Oct. 7. Plus, who is Neil the seal?Listener support ensures that the coverage we provide on air, online and through our podcast is free and accessible to everyone. Help us keep The World free! Give today. 

The British government's flagship immigration plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda suffered a major setback today. The UK’s Supreme Court ruled that the policy was unlawful and in breach of both British and international laws. And, Israelis are intensely focused on the fate of 230-plus people being held hostage in Gaza. We hear from peace activist Gershon Baskin, who helped negotiate the release of an Israeli soldier from Hamas captivity in 2011. Also, 50 churches, synagogues, mosques and temples in New York City will start housing nearly 1,000 migrant men. The new plan announced by Mayor Eric Adams means the city will pay these places to have beds, showers and dining areas, filling a desperate need to provide shelter as more migrants continue to arrive. Plus, a food writer celebrates the taste of her hometown in Nigeria. Listener support ensures that the coverage we provide on air, online and through our podcast is free and accessible to everyone. Help us keep The World free! Give today.

Fighting in Gaza has zeroed in more and more tightly on Gaza City, as the Israeli military relentlessly pushes against Hamas, cornering it. Israel has repeatedly alleged that Hamas is hiding its fighters beneath hospitals, a charge that the group denies. We hear how Israel plans to bring the fight to a close and what can be done about the large numbers of civilian casualties. And, Ireland is one of the most pro-Palestinian countries in Europe. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has repeatedly called for a humanitarian ceasefire. But in Northern Ireland, the picture is more complicated. Also, the violence in Sudan between the country's military and the Rapid Support Forces continues unabated. The RSF has now taken the majority of the Darfur region and, earlier this month, carried out mass killings. Plus, Napoleon's hat heads to auction this weekend in France.

Over the weekend, Israeli forces carried out attacks in Gaza, targeting the Al-Shifa hospital, one of the main health care centers in the Gaza Strip. Doctors describe a chaotic situation where they are being forced to either leave their patients or stay and face more attacks. Israel claims Hamas runs a command center underneath the hospital. And, the 3,600 residents of Grindavik, a town in southwest Iceland, left their homes Friday night as magma continues flowing beneath the surface of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Also, Taylor Swift fans in Argentina were seen carrying posters saying, "Swifties don't vote for Milei," the far-right libertarian candidate who has proposed radical changes if elected. Plus, Kenya plans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.Listener support ensures that the coverage we provide on air, online and through our podcast is free and accessible to everyone. Help us keep The World free! Give today! 

The US power to influence Israel is under scrutiny as the war in Gaza rages on. We put hard questions to one of the State Department's top spokespeople. We look at calls for a ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis for Palestinians and the future of Gaza. Also, Coca-Cola figures prominently in a lawsuit in Southeast Asia where Cambodian farmers were displaced to make way for sugar plantations. And electronic beats with a Confucian influence — music from the South Korean duo Haepaary.Your support is absolutely critical in sustaining our nonprofit newsroom. Donate today to help us reach our goal of $67,000 before the end of the year. Every gift counts! 

Israel announced on Thursday that it would allow for a daily "humitarian pause" that would enable trapped residents of Gaza City to leave. Thousands continue to stream out of Gaza heading further south in the Gaza Strip. And, Palestinian journalist and former New York Times correspondent Taghreed El-Khodary is deeply worried about friends and relatives now dispersed throughout Gaza. From 2001 to 2009, Khodary was one of the few Western media voices on the ground in Gaza. Also, since October, more than 8,000 people, mainly Africans, have come to the shores on Spain's Canary Islands, off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean. The tiny island of El Hierro alone has received over 6,000 migrants. Plus, a "seismic swarm" closes a spa in Iceland.Your support is absolutely critical in sustaining our nonprofit newsroom. Donate today to help us reach our goal of $67,000 before the end of the year. Every gift counts! 

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, an estimated 5,000 Israeli families have fled to Cyprus, where they've been welcomed by an established Jewish community. Meanwhile, only hundreds of foreign passport holders and injured Palestinians have been permitted to leave the blockaded Gaza strip through its border with Egypt. And, US Surgeon-General Vivek Murthy has called loneliness a public health crisis. We hear about the health effects of loneliness and what initiatives around the globe seem to be helping people actually connect. Also, since the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has been bombing unique Ukrainian cultural sites. Preservationists are using special techniques to preserve the country's heritage — on their phones. Plus, the panda diplomats' sad farewell. ***Your support is absolutely critical in sustaining our nonprofit newsroom. Donate today to help us reach our goal of $67,000 before the end of the year. Every gift counts! 

One month ago today, Hamas carried out a surprise attack in southern Israel. Oct. 7 ended up being the deadliest day in history for Jews since the Holocaust. And, since current war between Hamas and Israel started, Palestinian journalists in Gaza have been both reporters and victims. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 37 Palestinian journalists have been killed. Also, Russian American journalist Julia Ioffe has produced a new podcast about Vladimir Putin’s origin story, "About a Boy." We hear how Putin's hard-scrabble childhood — and the rough justice of the neighborhood playground — taught him lessons that shape his thinking and actions to this day. Plus, the king's speech is not written by the king.Your support is absolutely critical in sustaining our nonprofit newsroom. Donate today to help us reach our goal of $67,000 before the end of the year. Every gift counts!

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets this weekend, with many gathering in a wealthy section of Jerusalem outside the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We hear about how calls for Netanyahu’s resignation might impact the course of the war with Gaza. And, Spain’s socialists seem to be ready to form a coalition government after inconclusive elections in July. But to do so, they’ve had to promise to grant amnesty to fugitive Catalan separatists for their attempt to break away from Spain in 2017. Also, Boeing, the Portland International Airport, and some of the cheapest electricity in America all depend on harnessing the power of the Columbia River. That river is once again the focus of negotiations as Canada and the US work to revamp the treaty that governs how Canada manages the dams on its portion of it. Plus, a significant move for Australia's new LGBTQ museum.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave a speech in Israel, standing at the podium alone, reminding the world that the US believes a two-state solution is the only way out of a conflict whose devastation has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. All this amid the threat that the war could expand to involve Hezbollah, potentially pull in Iran, and possibly even the US. And, the leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah spoke about the Israel-Gaza war on Friday for the first time since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel. Hassan Nasrallah's televised speech was long awaited by people throughout the region. Also, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has temporarily militarized security at some of the country's most-important ports and airports as he seeks to tame rising crime. Plus, climate comedy in translation.

Police in London report that antisemitic attacks increased by more than 1,350% in the first two weeks of October. The country's small but close-knit Jewish community is saying the British government isn't doing enough to protect them. And, some South American governments have protested Israel's actions in Gaza. A few have cut ties entirely or recalled their ambassadors in Tel Aviv. Also, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been the scene of intense hope, anxiety and frustration this week. Several hundred people have been allowed to get through the border, including aid workers. Plus, the Beatles get by with a little help from AI.

The Rafah crossing gates swung open for individuals today for the first time since the Israel-Gaza war began. Hundreds of foreign nationals and wounded civilians streamed through, but the majority of the estimated 400 US citizens in Gaza weren’t permitted to exit. And, the Palestinian Authority used to control Gaza but was largely squeezed out after Hamas took over. They still run the much-larger Palestinian territory, the West Bank, but do they have any power to speak or act on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza now? Also, top AI experts and representatives from major countries with ambitions in developing artificial intelligence are meeting at a country estate in England. Plus, the German president apologizes for colonial rule in Tanzania. ___We aim to raise $67,000 by Dec. 31 to power our newsroom. Will you help us reach this goal and unlock a matching gift? Donate today to double your impact and keep The World going strong!

On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalia Refugee Camp in Gaza City killed at least 100 people. Israel says it's in Gaza to root out Hamas fighters from underground tunnels. We hear about the international laws of warfare in this conflict. And, South African runner Caster Semenya won her first Olympic gold medal in 2009. But claims that her naturally high levels of testosterone should disqualify her marred her career. Her new memoir, "The Race to Be Myself," comes out on Tuesday. Also, King Charles is in Kenya on a four-day official visit, where he is expected to acknowledge abuses perpetrated by British authorities during the colonial era. Plus, trick or treat, mate! Halloween is catching on down under. 

The offensive Israel launched in Gaza over the past few days is unfolding very differently than many expected, according to Shashank Yoshi, a defense editor at The Economist. Israel seems to have begun an incremental, gradual invasion that is likely to be sustained — and catastrophic — for the civilians who remain in northern Gaza. And, hundreds of angry men broke past barricades and entered the airport in Dagestan, a Muslim-majority republic in southern Russia. They were searching for Israelis and Jewish people arriving from Tel Aviv, but found none. Also, in Latvia, an organization called the Children’s Hospital Foundation has been hosting groups of Ukrainian children and their families for 10 days of fun, therapy and respite away from the war. Plus, Aga Khan Master Musicians offer zigzagging musical journeys on their new album.

The US military carried out airstrikes in Syria against Iranian proxy militias on Thursday night. The strikes targeted weapons and ammunition storage areas that were connected to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. And, civilians have mobilized for war across Israel. We hear from a 45-year-old Israeli tax attorney who got word two weeks ago that his reserve unit was being called up. Also, in recent weeks, there's been a significant increase in the number of charter flights operating between Haiti and Nicaragua, which are believed to be carrying Haitian migrants. Some experts say the Nicaraguan government is taking capitalizing on the situation. Plus, this Spanish musician emerges from a flamenco tradition with her latest album.

The war in Ukraine continues to rage as the world's attention lies elsewhere in the Middle East. Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces has escalated significantly in and around the town of Avdiivka since Oct. 10. And, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to touch down in DC on Thursday. He wants the US to ease restrictions on technology exports to China and reduce support for Taiwan, while the US is seeking Chinese cooperation in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Also, many women saw no future for themselves in Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. So, when offered a chance to leave, many took it. For some, their temporary status in the US is a constant shadow. Plus, how this Cambodian American singer found her voice.

UN aid operations in Gaza are in jeopardy more than two weeks after Israel banned fuel shipments into the territory. The UN agency that provides aid to civilians says it must halt operations on Wednesday night if no new fuel is delivered. And, as the fighting intensifies in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas, the West Bank is simultaneously seeing an escalation of violence. Israel carried out an airstrike on Jenin in the northern West Bank, targeting what it said was militant activity around a mosque. Also, Jamaica's women's national soccer team exceeded expectations at the World Cup this past summer. Players hoped for more respect from their country's national soccer federation, but the team says they haven't seen any improvements. And, Richard Roundtree, actor who played "Shaft," dies at 81.

Israeli hostages released on Monday reported being transported through Gaza's underground tunnels. Experts say many of Israel's hostages could be located somewhere along Gaza's vast tunnel network. Hamas has a long history of using tunnels to move in and out of the Gaza Strip. And, Hezbollah emerged during Lebanon's civil war with the intention of ending Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon. With the backing of Iran, it has become the strongest military force in Lebanon, and one of the strongest militias in the region. Also, gunmen ambushed at least a dozen police officers and a local security supervisor on Monday in a coastal town near Acapulco, once a jewel of Mexico's tourism industry. Plus, Iceland strikes for women's equality.

Qatar played the delicate role of negotiator this weekend in the release of two US hostages held by Hamas. But an estimated 200 hostages remain in captivity. Now, many in the region are looking to the tiny, energy-rich Gulf state to reach out to Hamas and press for more releases. And, the first round of elections shows voters' reluctance in Argentina to easily hand the presidency to a far-right libertarian candidate who has promised drastic changes for the country. Also, Ukraine's fight against the Russians is being called the first-ever drone war, as it carries out reconnaissance missions and launches strikes using drones. But it's not Ukraine's military that is building the drones, but small-scale entrepreneurs. Plus, the world's oldest dog dies at the age of 31.

For nearly two weeks, food and medical supplies have not been allowed into Gaza, which is being bombed by Israel. Aid trucks are poised to cross over the Rafah border crossing in Egypt to Gaza to provide humanitarian aid to the millions of Palestinians trapped. And, Israel has confirmed more than 200 Israelis are currently being held hostage in Gaza. There is pressure on Israel's government to work to secure their release from Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. Also, Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva has been detained in Russia. She works for the US-funded news service, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Russian officials are accusing her of "failing to register as a foreign agent." Plus, Sydney Opera House turns 50. 

The Biden administration has made commitments to both Ukraine and Israel to provide stepped up military support. We hear what the US is delivering to both governments, who determines which country gets which armaments and what the foreign policy implications are for a president who came into office promising to end US involvement in “forever wars.” And, misinformation and online hatred is playing a role in the war between Hamas and Israel. There's been an increasing number of fake images as well as hate speech directed at Muslims and Jews on social platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter. Also, in Greenland, a small autonomous vehicle is gathering data that's helping scientists figure out what happens when fresh water from icebergs melts into the ocean. Plus, a giant tortoise is looking for a forever home.

United States President Joe Biden touched down in Tel Aviv on Wednesday to find a nation awash in grief and anger. He pledged staunch support for the US ally and seemed to win a pledge from Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Yet, division and uncertainty within Israel complicates Biden’s visit. And, Argentines will elect a new president this weekend, with polls showing a lead for far-right libertarian candidate Javier Milei. The former Rolling Stones cover band singer turned economist, TV pundit and politician is proposing radical changes in Argentina. Also, microfinance was hailed as a way to change the lives of hundreds of millions of people without access to credit. But with banks involved, borrowers in Cambodia are now drowning in debt and being forced off their land. Plus, the Oxford English Dictionary was the first Wikipedia. 

Under continuous Israeli bombardment, Gaza is reeling from 3,000 dead and thousands injured. Badly hurt Gazans are rushing to hospitals that are running on scant fuel supplies. On Tuesday, a hospital was struck by a bomb, leading to hundreds of casualties and deepening the crisis. And, before Oct. 7, Israeli authorities played a key role in ensuring Gaza’s infrastructure functioned and residents had access to some food, water, power and medical supplies. Israel’s enforcement of a strict blockade has dire consequences for Gaza’s civilians. Also, in Ecuador, political outsider Daniel Noboa is faced with the Herculean task of reducing a terrifying, drug-driven crime problem within a shortened 18 months in office. Plus, a solar-powered vehicle completes an off-road test drive.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been shuttling back and forth to Arab capitals, hoping to win support for Israel’s massive offensive in Gaza. But key regional leaders, including Egypt’s Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aren’t on board with Israel’s plans. Also, millions of Palestinian refugees live in the countries that border Israel, including about 500,000 in Lebanon. We hear from Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, where Palestinians are closely watching what's happening in Gaza. And, over the weekend, Australians went to the polls to vote in a referendum to recognize First Nations people in the constitution through an advisory body called the "Voice to Parliament." It was crushed by wide margins. Plus, a cricket World Cup stunner.

Israel continues to bombard the Gaza Strip following Palestinian militant group Hamas' deadly attack on southern Israel. And, this Sunday, the Polish public will decide if the ruling party deserves a third term in office. Polls predict it will be a tightly fought contest between the ruling Law and Justice party and the main opposition coalition led by Donald Tusk. Also, Xbox maker Microsoft closed its $69 billion deal for Activision Blizzard on Friday, building up muscle in the video-gaming market with best-selling titles including "Call of Duty" to better compete with industry leader Sony. Plus, cricket fans gear up for the most-anticipated match of the World Cup.

Egypt is worried that the war between Hamas and Israel could spill over into its territory. The only border crossing between Gaza and Egypt came under Israeli attack this week, prompting Egyptian officials to close it. And, Israel's response to the deadly attack by Hamas over the weekend is already underway. But as hundreds of thousands of Israeli troops gather on the border of the Gaza Strip, they're facing a new challenge as more than a hundred Israeli hostages are being held inside Gaza by Hamas. And, Argentinians are headed to the polls on Oct. 22 while the country grapples with a triple-digit inflation rate. The front-runner candidate for president, Javier Milei, is a radical libertarian with a plan to dissolve Argentina's Central Bank and adopt the US dollar as legal tender. Plus, this Venezuelan opposition leader on upcoming elections.

As Israel wages war against Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and centrist opposition leader Benny Gantz formed a war cabinet after joining forces in an emergency unity government. Israeli troops are massing at the border with Gaza while Israeli air strikes continue. And grisly details are emerging about the killing of Israeli citizens in their homes in southern Israel by Hamas militants. Also, the US has decided that the power grab by the military in Niger is indeed a military coup d'etat. It's a definition with outsize implications for Niger. The US will now suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance to Niger, including counterterrorism assistance. This comes at a time when various armed Islamic fundamentalist groups with ideological ties to ISIS roam unpoliced stretches of desert in the Sahel, attacking Nigerien troops and towns. Plus, Costa Rica courts evangelicals.

People in southern Israel are in crisis mode, still taking stock after an invasion by Hamas, and steeling themselves for violent days ahead. And, a Gaza resident and journalist describes a city of flattened neighborhoods, where doctors are treating patients on the floor following Israeli airstrikes. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has vowed full support for Israel. Also, residents of the western city of Herat in Afghanistan are grappling with the aftermath of a 6.3-magnitude earthquake. Plus, a symphony in New Zealand composed solely for chickens.

As Hamas militants carry out an unprecedented attack on Israel and fighting continues for a third day, we will bring you the latest from both sides of the conflict by The World's Durrie Bouscaren. Plus, we devote the rest of the show to Indigenous People's Day with a special that celebrates and explores the history and culture of native peoples around the globe.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee gave the peace prize to Narges Mohammadi, a long-time activist in Iran and a leading voice in the women-led freedom movement. And, a study in South Africa has found that humans cause more fear in wild mammals than the sound of lions. The study profoundly changes our understanding of fear in the wild. Also, Britain's policing minister caused a ruckus earlier this week when he urged shoppers to make a citizen's arrest if they observe someone stealing. Shop thefts have more than doubled in the past three years, costing retailers more than $1 billion a year. Plus, America’s National Football League heads to England.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration waived 26 laws to build a section of the border wall in southern Texas along the Rio Grande river pointing to "high illegal entry." It marks a major shift away from President Joe Biden's initial calls to halt the border wall from being completed. And, in recent weeks, there have been reports of Russia withdrawing much of its Black Sea fleet from their main base in Crimea after repeated attacks by Ukraine. It is being interpreted as a victory at sea for Ukraine in a war that's dragged on with little progress on land. Also, the 2023 Nobel Prize in literature goes to playwright and novelist Jon Fosse, of Norway, cited by the judges "for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable." Plus, Habibi Music Festival, from Marrakech to Baghdad.

Pakistan announced on Tuesday that all migrants who are in the country illegally must depart by the end of October. The order is seen as targeting the 1.7 million Afghans living in Pakistan. And, Barça, one of the most-victorious soccer teams over the last 20 years, now stands accused of paying millions of dollars to ensure it had referees favorable to the squad. Also, for the first time in more than a decade, European Union leaders will seriously discuss adding new members when they gather in Grenada, Spain, this Friday. We hear how the calculus for expansion has changed since Russia waged war on Ukraine. Plus, Jane Goodall's reasons to hold on to hope. 

The United Nations National Security Council has approved the dispatch of a multinational armed force led by Kenya to the beleaguered nation of Haiti, to help combat violent gangs. It's the first time in almost 20 years that a force would be deployed to the Caribbean nation. And, the rising number of undocumented immigrants has overwhelmed officials in many US cities. But business leaders in Topeka, Kansas, are reaching out to legal immigrants, paying a select few up to $15,000 to move to there. Also, as more private entities and governments launch into space, disposing of orbital debris has becoming a bigger problem. Left in the atmosphere, even small bits can damage satellites and spacecraft. Plus, growing demand for cocaine in Europe. 

Hungarian American Katalin Karikó and American Drew Weissman won the Nobel Prize for medicine on Monday for discoveries that helped create the mRNA vaccines to protect against COVID-19. Some five decades of public and private research laid the groundwork for the quick development of the lifesaving immunizations. And, US Congress passed a short-term spending bill over the weekend but didn't include funding Ukraine's war effort. Why are some lawmakers now questioning monetary and military support to Ukraine? Also, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, took responsibility for a bombing outside the Turkish Ministry of the Interior early Sunday. Two people were injured. We hear about the fallout from the attacks. Plus, police in Europe make record busts as demand for cocaine continues to grow.

A suspected suicide bomb blast during a procession to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad has left more than 50 people dead and many more wounded in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. There's been growing instability in Pakistan caused by ISIS and the Pakistani Taliban. And, the Peace Corps started out as way for idealistic young people to do good and change the world. But with countries producing their own college graduates and even poor farmers connected by cellphones, is it still relevant? Also, Europe’s rewilding efforts are seeing spectacular successes in Spain, where wild horses run free and vultures are once again circling the remote canyons of one of Europe’s least populated areas. Plus, from village to village, a Kurdish musician records old folk songs to preserve a generation. 

The leader of the breakaway Armenian republic of Nagorno-Karabakh says the enclave will dissolve its state institutions on Jan. 1, 2024. Residents have been streaming out of the mountainous enclave since Azerbaijan seized control of it last week. And, China is home to the world's largest high-speed rail network. The country is now launching a new high-speed system that will cut across bodies of water and along the coast of Fujian province in the country's southeast. Also, the Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice was a strong voice in The Hague for victims of gender violence in places like northern Uganda, where rebel leader Joseph Kony terrorized the local population. Now, its former director, Brigid Inder, is being accused of funding him behind the scenes. Plus, how Sasami's zainichi Korean heritage informs her music.

On Wednesday, at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, six Portuguese people between the ages of 11 and 24 years old are presenting their case. They accuse the 32 members of the European Union of violating their human rights for what they say is a failure to adequately address climate change. And, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio returned to Earth from the international space station today. Rubio's return along with Russian cosmonauts comes at a time when US-Russia relations are in question. Also, "fast fashion" routinely borrows the designs of Southeast Asia's Indigenous weavers in the hill tribes of Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Now some are calling it plagiarism. Plus, a modern take on an ancient Chinese folktale. 

On the 12th day of the United Autoworkers strike, President Joe Biden joined the picketers in Wayne County, Michigan. The UAW strike involves American autoworkers but Canada and Mexico play a critical role in the supply chain of the US auto industry. And, billionaire Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai has been languishing in prison for the past three years. He’s one of the most high-profile supporters of the island’s pro-democracy movement and a persistent thorn in China's side. Also, break dancing started in the US in the 1970s, but it has since spread across the globe. It's now set to make its Olympic debut in Paris next summer. Plus, Lego scraps its first attempt at a recycled plastic toy brick.

Ethnic Armenians have been fleeing Stepanakert, the capital of the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is now under the control of Azerbaijan, the country that surrounds it on all sides. We look at how this latest crisis fits into a long history of division, displacement and war. Also, US Senator from New Jersey Bob Menendez is facing accusations of taking bribes in return for favorably treating the government of Egypt. Now, there are calls to reassess US aid for Egypt. Plus, new immigrants in many parts of the United States can have a hard time finding work if they don't have a driver's license. But it can also be difficult to pass a driving test in a new language. That's why the state of Maine is expanding its multilingual driving schools. And, a choir in Spain will start selecting a group of girls to join the boys at the altar, singing at Sunday masses.

Indigenous communities in Brazil are celebrating after the country’s supreme court rejected a legal policy that would have weakened their ability to claim land.  Also, a new book talks about the most powerful woman in North Korean history: Kim Yo-jong, the sister of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. And, major film sets across the UK have had to close down because of the actors’ and writers’ strikes in the US. Plus, a look at Lachlan Murdoch, son of the famed media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, who is set to take over his father’s media empire.

The Biden administration is expanding and extending its temporary protected status order for Venezuela, allowing Venezuelans to work. This includes nearly half a million Venezuelans currently in the US. And, Poland's prime minister has said that Ukraine will no longer receive weapons because Poland is upgrading to more modern weaponry. This announcement comes on the heels of a dispute over economic protection for Poland's farmers as the country has banned the import of Ukrainian grain. Also, Pope Francis recently set off a firestorm among Ukrainian Catholics when he praised Russia's great past and culture. Ukrainian Greek Catholics, for whom the pope is a spiritual leader, would like to hear his support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. Plus, this Freetown mayor focuses on climate resilience.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres only invited leaders with credible new climate pledges to speak at this year’s UN climate ambition summit. But the UN has limited power to cajole nations when it comes to climate. And, Armenian separatist forces in Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh surrendered on Wednesday, 24 hours after Azerbaijani forces began an offensive to take full control of its territory. Also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden have been at odds over proposed judicial reforms in Israel, which Netanyahu backs. On Wednesday, the two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Plus, reparations for Japanese Canadians may be seen as too little, too late. 

At the UN General Assembly today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy again sounded the alarm over Russian aggression. And, family groups crossing the US border illegally reached an all-time high in August. This is a concern for Biden administration officials, as families have always been the hardest migrants to deport. Also, Canada and India are feuding right now over India's alleged potential involvement in a politically motivated killing of a Sikh Canadian activist. India has denied Canada's accusations thus far and the two countries have expelled each other's senior diplomats. Plus, a group of Tibetan Buddhist monks go on a sacred arts tour in the US.

A year and a half into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its impact has been felt most acutely in lost lives, flattened cities and destroyed infrastructure. But the environmental damage from combat has also contaminated Ukraine’s soil, water and air. From Ukrainian farm fields polluted with mines to Norway's new role as the largest exporter of natural gas to Europe, The World's environment correspondent Carolyn Beeler reports on how the environment and climate impacts are likely to be one of the longest-lasting legacies of the war, persisting for decades after the fighting stops.

The Dominican Republic and Haiti are in a serious dispute over water rights. The Dominican government has moved to seal the border and stopped issuing visas to all Haitian citizens, until the dispute is resolved. And, the United Nations General Assembly kicks off next Tuesday, when both Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy and US President Joe Biden are expected to take the stage. Also, Sept. 16 will mark one year since the death of Mahsa Amini, who was in Iranian police custody for improperly wearing her headscarf. Her death sparked protests throughout Iran and the world against the Iranian government's repressive treatment of women. Plus, an American caver in Turkey speaks about his 11 days underground.

In the US, auto industry professionals all have their eyes on the emerging electric vehicle market — and the growing global dominance of China's auto industry in electric cars. And, the US State Department estimates that about 10,000 people from around the world are trapped in “scam mill compounds” in Cambodia. They are forced to work for criminal syndicates, luring unsuspecting targets into fraudulent crypto schemes. Also, flooding devastated the city of Derna in Libya. We hear voice messages from everyday people and aid workers about the extreme damage it has wreaked. Plus, threats to a wildly popular Mexican singer point to cartel wars.

A humanitarian crisis has unfolded in eastern Libya, after a major storm battered the region and destroyed two dams. About 10,000 people are missing and more than 5,000 are confirmed dead, after floods wiped away entire neighborhoods in the city of Derna. And, "The Listening Project," launched by The New Humanitarian, is inviting Yemenis from across the country and in the diaspora to talk about their own experiences of war and their daily lives. Also, later this month, Slovakia holds a parliamentary election that will have ramifications far beyond its borders. If the opinion polls are correct, it would mark the return of Robert Fico: a man who models himself on Viktor Orbán, Hungary's “alt-right” leader. Plus, China's tobacco problem.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Russia by armored train on Tuesday to meet President Vladimir Putin. The two are expected to hammer out an arms deal that could help Russia continue its war in Ukraine. And, the so-called Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is projected to double the country's electricity supply and promises agricultural expansion. This has worried Egypt for years, and now that the dam is full and complete, the region confronts a new reality. Also, fighting in Sudan between rival armed forces has now dragged on for 150 days. So far, multiple international efforts at mediation have failed to bring about a lasting ceasefire. Experts warn that a broader civil war could be on the horizon. Plus, Portugal's river of wine.

On Friday evening, a rare 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco in the heart of the Atlas Mountains. More than 2,000 people are reported dead, with many more injured. Aid workers say rough terrain is making rescue efforts difficult. And, last week, the US announced it was sending depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine's military in its fight against Russia's invasion. They are expected to be used against Russian tanks, which are susceptible to the weapon. Also, the bombing of Chile's presidential palace by the military on Sept. 11, 1973, marked the end of a socialist president and the beginning of 17 years of right-wing authoritarianism. We hear how the US played a role in undermining socialist policies and popular support. Plus, soul food in Mexico City, Mexico.

US President Joe Biden arrives in India as Delhi is gearing up to host the G20 summit this weekend. The group of 20 nations includes the United States, Russia and China among others. And, Canada’s temporary foreign worker programs are a “breeding ground” for modern forms of slavery, a United Nations expert has warned. Also, the UN on Friday released the most comprehensive analysis to date of global action on climate change. The report makes clear that radical changes are still needed to meet agreed-upon climate targets. Plus, this Puerto Rican rapper swims against the current.

For the first time in Mexico’s history, two women will face off for the presidency in next year's vote. Some see the candidates as a milestone. But others caution that Mexican women still face a misogynous culture and rising sexual violence. And, getting that acceptance letter from a US university is cause for celebration. But getting a student visa in time to attend the first day of class can be a bigger achievement, when wait times can last for months in some countries. Also, Pakistan continues to suffer the impacts of climate change in the form of floods and fires. The climate catastrophes have also brought about a major health crisis there. Plus, the massive hidden cost of invasive species.

The conviction and sentencing of former Proud Boys' leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio for seditious conspiracy coincides with a rise in Proud Boys membership since the Jan. 6 riots at the US Capitol. Prosecutions of right-wing extremist leaders impacts membership in extremist organizations worldwide. And, Wednesday is “back to school” day for millions of children in Britain, but thousands of students were unable to return to their classrooms due to fears that some school buildings may be in danger of collapse. Also, European countries and the United States now ship recyclable plastic waste to countries like Turkey. But this rapidly growing industry often skirts regulations, leading to health and environmental risks for the surrounding community. Plus, sunsets in Ibiza always have a soundtrack.

Heads of state, experts and climate activists from around Africa and the world arrived in Kenya’s capital Nairobi this week for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit. Climate financing and sustainable development in Africa are at the top of this summit’s agenda. And, a huge auto show in Munich this week has put China's growing dominance in electric cars on display. About 41% of exhibitors at this year's event are headquartered in Asia. Also, we remember former New Mexico governor and UN ambassador Bill Richardson, who played a key role in winning the release of dozens of US citizens held abroad. Richardson died in his sleep on Friday, at age 75.  Plus, what's it like to be pregnant in Russia?

In this one-hour special, The World looks at transportation issues around the globe. Thor Pedersen, a former UN soldier originally from Denmark, went on a decadelong adventure that took him to every country in the world. The trick — he never took an airplane. And, NASA’s Artemis program aims to bring the first woman and first person of color to the moon in 2024, and it's the prelude to a much bigger ambition — sending humans to Mars. Also, lithium is in soaring global demand, because it's used in electric car batteries. This is good news for the economy of Chile, that meets a third of the world’s lithium needs. Plus, a Finnish driver gets a $120,000 speeding ticket.

Today is the first day of school across Ukraine. UNICEF just released a report on the devastating impacts of war on Ukrainian students' education, especially those near the frontlines. And, Cambodia is still recovering from the murderous reign of the Khmer Rouge when most academics were killed. Today, universities have been rebuilt but most people in the impoverished kingdom can't afford even the lowest tuition fees. Also, The World wraps a summer celebration of 50 years of hip-hop, from its birth in the South Bronx to its influence around the globe. Plus, a piano-tuner shortage in Australia. 

A fire at an apartment building in Johannesburg, South Africa, has left dozens dead and more victims are expected to be recovered during emergency search operations. The dilapidated building was home to hundreds of occupants, many homeless. And, ever since Spanish Soccer Federation President Luis Rubiales forced a kiss on star player Jenni Hermoso, people have been calling for Rubiales to resign. The situation has sparked a "mini-revolution" in Spain. Also, on Sept. 1, after a three-year pandemic hiatus, interest on student loans in the US will start accruing again, affecting more than 40 million borrowers. The US is an outlier when it comes to high tuition and debts. Plus, an ancient thundering dance floor in Peru.

After the Taliban takeover, the US finished pulling out its forces from Afghanistan two years ago. The withdrawal was violent and chaotic. What lessons were learned from it? And, beginning in 2026, US prices of expensive prescription drugs may be coming down as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Also, in the early morning hours of Wednesday, military leaders in Gabon announced they seized power and put President Ali Bongo under house arrest. Bongo had just been declared the president in a flawed election. Plus, London's foxes: pest or survivor?

Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leaders of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, proposed a plan for the kind of democratic government he's undermined in the past. Meanwhile, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who leads Sudan's national military, is headed to Egypt and Saudi Arabia for talks. And, disturbing video published on Tuesday by The Guardian newspaper shows the dire conditions of people staying in one of Libya’s migrant detention centers. Also, at least seven people are dead in Haiti after a pastor leading a protest marched through a gang-controlled suburb of the capital. Human rights groups are blaming the pastor for taking protesters into such a dangerous situation and the police for not preventing it from happening. Plus, how do you weigh an ant? 

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is in Beijing on Monday for talks with her Chinese counterpart. The meeting comes as China continues to struggle with deflation and slowing growth. And, on Saturday, incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared the winner of Zimbabwe's presidential election. Electoral observers and opposition leaders say the election had serious issues. Also, the Syrian government thought it had crushed the popular uprisings that began in 2011. But in the past week, two major cities in government-held areas in the south have seen mass demonstrations against the government. Plus, Crimean singer Jamala heads to US for her first major stateside tour.

Greece's wildfires continue to burn. In some cases, asylum-seekers are living in the forests for fear of being deported to Turkey and reversing any potential asylum claims. And, in Russia, Vladimir Putin has consolidated power and taken control of the entire political system. Yet, even as Russia continues to plunge deeper into authoritarianism, the country still hosts elections. Also, a year ago, nearly a third of Pakistan experienced catastrophic flooding that caused massive infrastructural damage. More than 1,500 people lost their lives. We hear how the rehabilitation process has progressed a year later. Plus, this silly hip-hop group challenges politics in Ecuador.

One day after a jet dropped out of the sky north of Moscow, reportedly killing Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his top commanders, rival private militias are jockeying to fill the vacuum. And, researchers from the British Antarctic Survey say it's likely no emperor penguin chicks survived in 4 out of 5 colonies in one Antarctica region. Loss of sea ice is to blame. Also, the number of children living with only one parent — usually the mother — is growing worldwide, according to the UN. In Latin America, a combination of patriarchal culture and weak laws allow for many fathers to skip out on their financial obligations and get away with it. Plus, a race across Europe using public transit ends in a sprint.