Ownership of the Spratly Islands are in dispute. This has been the case for decades, but tensions have been raised recently as China has tried to expand its claims in the remote area. We get a rare glimpse of one of the islands that has a Filipino community living on it.

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A Remote Island Outpost that is Part of a Geopolitical Fight

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Israel has expanded its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This comes after an Israeli airstrike on Sunday near a displaced persons camp started a fire killing at least 45 people and injuring hundreds more. We hear details from our correspondent in Tel Aviv.  

For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates 

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How Israel's Assault on Rafah is Unfolding

Russia's war in Ukraine is deepening divisions across Europe. One example is the Baltic nation of Latvia, formerly part of the Soviet Union. One third of those living in Latvia are Russian speaking and now some elderly residents, who may have lived there for decades, are being forced to prove their loyalty or leave.

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Questions of Loyalty in Latvia

Iran laid the body of President Ebrahim Raisi to rest, after he died in a helicopter crash. Though thousands attended funeral ceremonies, we hear from Iranians who say he won't be remembered fondly.  

And in South Korea, a propaganda video from North Korea is banned after it goes viral on TikTok.

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Iranians React President's Death; North Korean Propaganda Goes Viral

After a long decline of the government in Haiti, gangs have seized complete control. A multi-national force is being sent to Haiti to restore the government to power, but their success is not assured. We go to Port-au-Prince, Haiti to see the challenges this international mission will face.

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Meeting the Gangs that Control Haiti

A new president in Taiwan was inaugurated this week. Lai Ching-te will now lead a Taiwan that is divided politically on many issues, including on how to confront China. We'll hear from our correspondent in Taipei and from some young Taiwanese preparing for mandatory military service.

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A Remote Island Outpost that is Part of a Geopolitical Fight

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