The World

When two close friends who work for the Iranian government follow their conscience, it puts them at odds with the regime. Now one of them is dead. To figure out what might have happened, reporter Fariba Nawa goes back to the beginning.

For months, the Israeli military and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been trading drone, missile and rocket attacks across the border. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened a "very intense" military response. The World's Shirin Jaafari is in Beirut. Also, Thursday is the start of voting for the European Parliament. The polls suggest that far-right candidates will do well, and that could have big implications for some of America's most important allies. And New York's governor is hitting the brakes on a plan to implement congestion pricing in New York City. The plan has been in the works for several years. But other non-US cities went down this road a long time ago. We'll hear how it worked out overseas.

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The top diplomat at the United Nations is once again sounding an alarm about the dangers of climate change. Also, in coastal communities around the globe — places such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, Egypt, Italy, Brazil and the southern United States — rising sea water levels threaten to infiltrate freshwater drinking supplies. And, Jerusalem Day marks the "reunification" of Jerusalem in 1967 and the Jews regaining access to the venerated Temple Mount. The day is generally tense as Jews march through the Arab quarter of Jerusalem's old city to commemorate victory in the Six Day War. This year, the holiday is especially fraught because of the war in Gaza. And, 3,000 Palestinian children have suffered at least one amputation in the last eight months, according to UNICEF. That's the largest cohort in recent history. Only a small percentage have been able to be evacuated out of the Gaza Strip. 

The US is strongly pushing a three-phase ceasefire deal in the Mideast that would bring back Israeli hostages and lead to a permanent ceasefire with Hamas. But members of the Israeli prime minister's cabinet have threatened to quit if any ceasefire is discussed. And, US Army Major Harrison Mann quit the Defense Intelligence Agency to protest what he calls Washington’s "unqualified" support for Israel, saying it has “enabled” the killing of Palestinian civilians. Also, results in India's national election are in. The incumbent, Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks like the winner, but the opposition also appears stronger. And the city of Vilnius, Lithuania, recently hosted a "Pink Soup Festival," celebrating cold beet soup. It's a staple in Lithuania and other parts of Eastern Europe.

For the first time, Mexico will have a woman president. Claudia Sheinbaum is a 61-year-old scientist, left-wing politician and a former mayor of Mexico City. Also, this week, we'll meet a child survivor of the war in Gaza who was able to travel to Qatar for medical treatment. And welcome to the Offline Club. It's a place in Amsterdam where visitors pay a cover charge to hang out in a social setting that's completely cut off from the digital world — no phones, tablets or laptops allowed.

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Mexico heads to the polls this weekend for its largest-ever election, with more than 20,000 positions up for grabs — including local, state and congressional offices, as well as the office of the president. Also, a range of reactions from European leaders to the news of former President Donald Trump’s hush-money conviction. And, data shows that the number of Canadians heading south to live in the US has jumped 70%. Plus, a conversation with National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek about traversing Uzbekistan as part of his 24,000 mile Out of Eden Walk.

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Reporter Fariba Nawa introduces her investigation into Iranian plots against exiles in Turkey. She tells the story of Iran's history of violence against its citizens at home, and how that violence has grown to cross international borders today. The fate of a dissident in France becomes a blueprint for the questions she seeks to answer.

A volcano in Iceland has erupted for the fifth time in five months, forcing the nearby town of Grindavik to be evacuated. Also, a group of Israelis is trying to push back against another group of right-wing Israelis blocking food aid to Gaza. And, voters in Mexico head to the polls on Sunday. Residents of Tijuana will be watching what the new president does about the environmental problems plaguing their city. Plus, a beloved skate park that was closed down in Philadelphia is getting a second life in Sweden.

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Millions of South Africans are voting in what is being called the most important election since the end of apartheid in 1994. The vote could unseat the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party for the first time. Also, water disputes over the Rio Grande river that forms part of the US-Mexico border. And, the US is loosening some restrictions on businesses in Cuba that will allow some Cuban business owners to open bank accounts in the United States. Also, a new bill may be a boost for mothers of the disappeared in Honduras. Plus, a children’s book explaining the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to kids.

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An Israeli airstrike has sparked international condemnation after dozens of Palestinians were killed near a tent camp for displaced people in Rafah. Also, efforts to rescue victims of a Papua New Guinea landslide are facing extreme challenges. And, Mexico is poised to elect its first female president, but in a country with a history of gender violence and inequality, feminists aren’t declaring victory just yet. Plus, a look at the UK’s annual cheese rolling competition.

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