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 an explosion, with conflicting reports on who was responsible, and Israel and Hamas blaming Islamic Jihad. It led 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.