Middle East

World News

Examining the obstacles to securing a cease-fire in Gaza and hostage exchange

7:15am May 02, 2024

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with strategic diplomacy expert Mickey Bergman about the different approaches Israel and Hamas take toward negotiating a hostage swap and cease-fire.

Queue Listen Now

Jordan demands that Israel provide better security for aid convoys

5:15am May 02, 2024

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Blinken pushed for swift and sustained aid to Gazans.

Israeli settlers try to block aid to Gaza as Blinken touts progress on trip to Israel

5:26pm May 01, 2024

by Michele Kelemen

Israeli settlers tried to block a new aid route into Gaza. The incident was a setback for Blinken, who was trying to highlight progress in getting Palestinians food and supplies to stave off famine.

Queue Listen Now

Colombian President Gustavo Petro (center right) attends an International Workers' Day rally in Bogotá, Colombia, on Wednesday.

World News

Colombia will break relations with Israel over its actions in Gaza, Petro says

5:05pm May 01, 2024

by Alex Leff

President Gustavo Petro announced his country will break diplomatic ties with Israel Thursday over its actions in Gaza. "If Palestine dies, humanity dies, and we are not going to let it die," he said.

Morning news brief

7:28am May 01, 2024

The student-led occupation of a Columbia University building ends. Secretary of State Blinken is in Israel with a focus on humanitarian aid to Gaza. Florida's new abortion law takes effect Wednesday.

Queue Listen Now

Israel's prime minister worries the ICC will soon issue arrest warrants for Israelis

7:22am May 01, 2024

NPR's A Martinez speaks with Oona Hathaway, professor of international law at Yale University, about how International Criminal Court arrest warrants might affect the war in Gaza.

NYC police used force to clear a pro-Palestinian student encampment at Columbia

7:22am May 01, 2024

Police zip-tied the hands of large numbers of student protesters and hauled them away. An armored vehicle pushed a bridge into a window of Hamilton Hall and then officers quickly retook the building.

At Brown University, protesters and administrators reach deal to end encampment

6:57am May 01, 2024

by Olivia Ebertz

Brown University leaders have agreed to hold a vote on divesting from companies that support Israel, and pro-Palestinian student demonstrators agreed to clear their encampment.

Queue Listen Now

Blinken returns to Israel determined to get more aid into Gaza

5:08am May 01, 2024

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in Israel with a big focus on providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israel is still threatening to move on Rafah, in Southern Gaza, despite U.S. opposition.

Iranian rapper receives death sentence for songs criticizing the establishment

8:05pm April 30, 2024

by Jackie Northam

In Iran, popular rapper Toomaj Salehi, whose fiery lyrics helped galvanize an anti-government movement among young people, has been sentenced to death. He was charged with "corruption on earth."

Queue Listen Now