Human rights
‘Mexodus’ musical introduces audiences to a different Underground Railroad for people fleeing slavery
Most people have heard of the Underground Railroad, which helped enslaved people escape to the US North, but “Mexodus” is a new musical that brings to light a forgotten history of people fleeing slavery to Mexico.
Israelis and Palestinians embrace cautious optimism as Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire
Israel and Hamas have reached a breakthrough ceasefire agreement brokered by the US and mediated by Qatar and Egypt to end the two-year conflict in Gaza. Israelis and Palestinians are hopeful for progress. The World’s Shirin Jaafari and Matthew Bell report on reactions from both sides.
More countries recognize the state of Palestine during UN General Assembly
During a joint UNGA session chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, more countries formally recognized a Palestinian state. It came about a week after a UN inquiry found that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. But many are hoping the move will go beyond just a symbolic gesture.
In South Korea, it’s getting harder to push for human rights in North Korea
South Korea recently pulled the plug on anti-North Korea broadcasts, and now a small radio station in Seoul is trying to fill the dead air. But, amidst policy changes in Seoul and in Washington, the future of their subversive signals remains unclear.
The lawyers in Russia representing political prisoners despite the risks
In the years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, political repression inside Russia has increased considerably. Russia now has hundreds of political prisoners who are tried under new laws that are meant to suppress any form of dissent — especially against the war. Despite relentless pressure, there are still lawyers in Russia fighting for the rights of political prisoners.