URL: NPR

World News

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

• U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah, official says
  The shipment was supposed to be 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, according to an official, with the U.S. concern being how the explosives could be used in a dense urban setting.
  

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

• An American family is home after years in a Syrian camp for ISIS militants' relatives
  A family of 10 American citizens who were held for years in a Syrian refugee camp and detention center for relatives of ISIS militants have been repatriated to the United States.
  
• A new plot to assassinate Ukraine's president has come to light
  Ukraine's security services says it has exposed a network of agents working for Russia who were plotting to kill President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top officials.
  
• How John Kirby became the voice of President Biden's foreign policy
  John Kirby has become the public face of the White House as it navigates the war in Gaza. Which means he's on the front lines for criticism.
  
• What's next for Rafah
  Israeli tanks rumbled into southern Gaza and seized control of the critical Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Israel and Hamas are trying yet again to work out a ceasefire in Egypt's capital Cairo.
  
• The annual Eurovision song contest is underway in Sweden
  Thirty-seven nations Compete in Europe's Song Contest: Kitsch, Peace, Politics. The countries hope their entry will be named best song of 2024, though some of the greatest drama happens offstage.
  
• The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind for Palestinians in Rafah
  Israeli tanks rolled into the southern Gaza city of Rafah Tuesday, taking control of the territory's border crossing with Egypt.
  
• Increasing Election Violence in Mexico
  Mexico's general election will be held at the beginning of June and it will mark the end of a campaign season of record violence. Some thirty candidates have been assassinated in the past month. Our reporter goes to one of Mexico's most violent towns to talk to candidates who are brave enough to run for office.
  
  Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.
  
• Biden decries surge of antisemitism since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel
  President Biden spoke out against harassment of Jewish students on college campuses, part of what he called a "ferocious surge of antisemitism" seen since Oct. 7.
  
• Brittney Griner reflects on 'Coming Home' after nearly 300 days in a Russian prison
  The WNBA star, who is six feet, nine inches, says she felt like a zoo animal in prison. "The guards would literally come open up the little peep hole, look in, and then I would hear them laughing."