The World

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.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!

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.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!

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.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!

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!