The site of a music festival near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

Rape is ‘the most neglected war crime,’ sexual violence expert says

Ever since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, the group has been charged with committing acts of sexual violence. Host Carol Hills speaks with journalist and author Christina Lamb, who is recently back from reporting in Israel, where she spoke with first responders and others on the ground.

Rape is ‘the most neglected war crime,’ sexual violence expert says
Nolotil painkillers are still prescribed in Spain, but is banned in many other countries.

‘People are dying’: A popular painkiller in Spain may have killer side effects

‘People are dying’: A popular painkiller in Spain may have killer side effects
Empty alleyway and two blue doors

Christmas is canceled in Bethlehem

Christmas is canceled in Bethlehem
Men sit at a cafe at the Baqa'a refugee camp, north of the capital Amman, Dec. 12, 2023.

Stateless Palestinians in Jordan struggle to make a future

Stateless Palestinians in Jordan struggle to make a future
The village of Vallehermoso on La Gomera

Residents of lush La Gomera Island aim to protect it from over-tourism

Residents of lush La Gomera Island aim to protect it from over-tourism
Palestinians displaced by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip are seen in tents in town of Khan Younis, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.

LISTEN: Voices from across the globe as the Israel-Hamas war continues to unfold

The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7 with deadly attacks by Hamas militants who targeted towns, farming communities and a music festival near the Gaza border. The World has been in conversation with people on the ground, experts and other observers since the conflict began. Read and listen to their responses below.

LISTEN: Voices from across the globe as the Israel-Hamas war continues to unfold
Black, gray, blue and yellow illustration of Russian war

Holding Russia accountable for war crimes

In wartime, it is rare that people are held accountable for the crimes they commit. Sometimes justice takes decades, or it never comes. But cell phones and city surveillance videos mean that atrocities can be caught on cameras. Dina Temple-Raston, the host of the podcast, "Click Here," reports that Ukrainian officials are working with the International Criminal Court to collect the data and file cases so those who commit war crimes don't go free.

Holding Russia accountable for war crimes
People gather during the Kanua film festival in Ecuador.

Film festival makes its way through Ecuador's Amazon by boat

For the past few weeks, a floating film festival has been plying the waters of Ecuador's Amazon region. The films are transported aboard a solar-powered boat. It stops in Indigenous communities along the rivers, sets up a projector, and shows films by and about Indigenous people around the globe.

Film festival makes its way through Ecuador's Amazon by boat
ruins

'We saw an immediate drop': Jordan's tourism industry is suffering amid the Israel-Hamas war

Jordan's economy relies heavily on tourism but since Hamas' attack on Israel in October and the ongoing war in Gaza, tourism in the country has slowed down. This is also the case in other countries in the region, including Israel itself, Lebanon and Egypt.

'We saw an immediate drop': Jordan's tourism industry is suffering amid the Israel-Hamas war
Portrait of Alsu Kurmasheva,  a Russian-American journalist, who is wearing a purple sweater.

American journalist detained in Russia

Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was detained in October in Russia’s Tatarstan region. Officials there have accused her of failing to register as a “foreign agent;” however, it’s widely believed that she was arrested because she’s a US citizen.

American journalist detained in Russia
An Israeli flag on the surrounding wall of the West Bank Jewish settlement of Migdalim near the Palestinian town of Nablus, Oct. 25, 2021.

US places rare visa travel restrictions on Israeli settlers implicated in West Bank violence

It's considered a rare punishment of Israelis by the US and comes as settler violence is on the rise. The World's Marco Werman spoke with Hadar Susskind, president and CEO of Americans for Peace Now, about the history of the settlers and their political influence with current government.

US places rare visa travel restrictions on Israeli settlers implicated in West Bank violence
Ghana officially commenced oil production in commercial quantities in 2010.

COP28: African nations resist fossil fuel phaseout, citing economic realities

At the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, leaders from the US and EU have backed a phasedown of fossil fuels, with some qualifications.  But many African countries say they deserve to exploit their natural resources and develop just like richer countries. 

COP28: African nations resist fossil fuel phaseout, citing economic realities
Lower reservoir on El Hierro island

Spanish island dumps diesel for wind, water and sunshine

El Hierro, a tiny island in the Canaries, is halfway to the UN goal of ditching fossil fuels. But finding just the right renewable energy mix is proving tough.

Spanish island dumps diesel for wind, water and sunshine
Yair Yifrach works with a client at his gun shop, just outside of Jerusalem.

Israeli civilians are buying lots of guns. Not everyone is feeling safer. 

After the shocking attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, which killed hundreds of Israeli civilians, many people have decided to arm themselves. Gun sales are on the rise. But lots more guns in more people’s hands can be dangerous. 

Israeli civilians are buying lots of guns. Not everyone is feeling safer. 
Point of view of a soldier on a field with a building in view

The Ukrainian counteroffensive and what’s next

It’s been about six months since Ukraine launched its counteroffensive. Its aim was to recapture large swaths of territory occupied by Russian forces. However, as we enter the cold winter months, most military experts believe that the war in Ukraine is now entering a new phase.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive and what’s next