The World

Northern Syria is in chaos. The situation on the ground is changing quickly, with new coalitions aligning and more groups joining the fight. And, American farmers are getting fed up with being pawns in President Donald Trump's trade wars. Also, a kindergarten in southern Israel was shut down in September after the school was accused of segregating students by race. But for Ethiopian Jews in Israel, it was another painful reminder of the obstacles they face as a minority in the Jewish state.

Serhiy Leshchenko, a former Ukrainian MP and investigative journalist, is being called "the Ukrainian who sunk Paul Manafort." Leshchenko provided evidence on the shadowy activities of Trump’s former campaign manager in Ukraine. Also, Friday marked the third day of Turkish attacks on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the attacks have forced more than 60,000 Syrians from their homes. For Syrian refugees already in Turkey, this is making a tense time even more difficult. And, there's a renewed attempt to do the impossible: finish a marathon in two hours. Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge will make an attempt Saturday in Vienna.

What's the impact of Turkey's military incursion into Syria having on people there? Also, Apple removed an app from its online store that protesters in Hong Kong have been using to locate police and dangerous spots in the city. Plus, tensions are boiling over at universities around the world where students from Hong Kong and mainland China are getting into disputes over pro-democracy protests back home.

Turkey launched an attack on Kurdish militias in northern Syria on Wednesday. These are some of the same Kurdish military forces who've been fighting alongside US troops against ISIS. Turkey's move was expected, but plenty of Middle East experts, along with members of the US Congress, are worried about the consequences. In Hong Kong, pro-democracy protesters have been attacked in the streets by groups of men — often wearing the same color t-shirts — wielding batons, cleavers and Chinese national flags. Who are they? Also, Ecuador's president, Lenin Moreno, has moved his government from the capital of Quito to the coastal city of Guayaquil in response to violent nationwide protests over fuel subsidies.

Donald Trump's decision to remove US troops from Syria leaves the Kurdish forces there vulnerable. We take a look at the Kurds, who are guarding large detention centers for ISIS fighters and their families. Plus, anti-Brexit members of the European Parliament are hosting a 60-piece band to deliver a musical plea for the UK to stick with Brussels. And in China, electric buses are everywhere — and there are very few in the US. The technology to switch to all-electric bus fleets exists, but the problem is range and charging. How do you keep electric buses running on time?

US troops have withdrawn from border posts in northeastern Syria following a policy shift from President Donald Trump endorsing a Turkish military plan to move into the region. The decision has deeply alarmed former US officials who see it as a betrayal of America's allies in the region. Also, Republican Jeff Flake, who served in the House and Senate for 18 years representing Arizona, gives us his thoughts into the political calculations Republicans on Capitol Hill are making amid the Trump impeachment inquiry. And, the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion has blocked major roadways in London, as they did in the spring, this time disrupting 12 major sites.

Before they were enemies, the US and Iran used to be an item. In fact, the US helped start Iran's nuclear program. But, like any failed relationship, it’s not just one thing that led to the break-up. Years of misinformation, politics, greed, reality TV and some real security interests on both sides all caused friction. On this bonus episode from The World's partners at the Things That Go Boom podcast, host Laicie Heeley has the story of how the US and Iran broke up — because you can’t truly understand the Iran nuclear deal without first understanding why the US and Iran have bad blood.

Text messages reveal how the Trump administration pushed Ukraine's government to investigate leading Democratic candidate Joe Biden and his family. In the United Kingdom, the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland has returned as a major sticking point for a new Brexit plan. Plus, protesters in Hong Kong are using maps to locate police and dangerous spots — but only on Android phones.

The impeachment inquiry scandal in Washington has shined a bright and uncomfortable light on an anti-corruption scandal in Ukraine. Plus, Kurt Volker — a longtime US diplomat who served as Trump's special envoy for Ukraine until resigning last week — was questioned by members of Congress behind closed doors on Thursday. And, a highly coveted Michelin star is at the center of a legal conflict in the world of European fine dining.

President Donald Trump says he made a "perfect call" to Ukraine's president. But, in Ukraine, there's a long backstory. Plus, you'll hear our interview with Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, two years before he was murdered. Also, North Korea has tested another missile capable of being launched from a submarine. And, we'll get into the fallout from one of the most closely watched affirmative action cases in higher education.