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Tuesday

Rep. Elise Stefanik, Republican from New York, testifies on Jan. 21 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on her nomination to be ambassador to the United Nations.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, Republican from New York, testifies on Jan. 21 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on her nomination to be ambassador to the United Nations. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

Trump's pick for U.N. ambassador is Elise Stefanik. Here's what to know

Elise Stefanik was a key defender of then-President Donald Trump during his impeachment proceedings and she later grilled university presidents over what she described as antisemitism.

Friday

A view of damage at the residential building of Palestinian Aloush family following a fresh Israeli airstrike on Jabalia after Israel and Gaza reached a ceasefire deal, in the north of Gaza City, Gaza on January 16, 2025.

A view of damage at a residential building following an Israeli airstrike on Jabalia after Israel and Gaza reached a ceasefire deal, in the north of Gaza City, on Thursday. Hasan N. H. Alzaanin/Anadolu via Getty Images hide caption

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Hasan N. H. Alzaanin/Anadolu via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

Israel approves a ceasefire with Hamas with the first set of hostages due out Sunday

The Israeli government has approved a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas, leading to a possible end to 15 months of a devastating war in Gaza that spread to other parts of the Middle East.

Wednesday

Monday

Mohammad Eid carries the body of one of his three relatives killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike, as they are prepared for a funeral Sunday in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip

Mohammad Eid carries the body of one of his three relatives killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike, as they are prepared for the funeral in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Sunday. Abdel Kareem Hana/AP hide caption

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Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

Middle East crisis — explained

What to know about the Israel and Hamas Gaza ceasefire and hostage release talks

The basic framework, officials familiar with the talks say, is an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a six-week ceasefire. Mediators are applying pressure on all parties.

An update on cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

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Friday

Jacob J. Lew, U.S. Ambassador to Israel poses for a portrait in his home in Jerusalem, Israel on January 10, 2025.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jacob J. Lew poses for a portrait at his residence in Jerusalem, Jan. 10. Maya Levin for NPR hide caption

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Maya Levin for NPR

Middle East crisis — explained

U.S. ambassador to Israel makes his final push for release of U.S. hostages from Gaza

"We are going to do everything we can in this round to get all the American hostages, living and dead, out," Ambassador Jacob J. Lew tells NPR. His tenure as President Biden's envoy ends this month.

U.S. ambassador to Israel talks about diplomatic efforts in the Israel-Hamas conflict

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Thursday

Islamist rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) light a fire to keep warm as they guard the abandoned Iranian Embassy just days after toppling Syria's leader, and close ally of Iran, Bashar al-Assad, on Dec. 13, in Damascus, Syria.

Islamist rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) light a fire to keep warm as they guard the abandoned Iranian Embassy just days after toppling Syria's leader, and close ally of Iran, Bashar al-Assad, on Dec. 13, in Damascus, Syria. Scott Peterson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Peterson/Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

Who's been funding the HTS rebels now in control of Syria?

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, made a lightning assault across Syria. Where did the rebels get the cash, weapons and training that made their takeover possible?

WHO FUNDS HTS

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Wednesday

Residents walk amid the destruction in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin on November 27, 2024, as people who had fled the war between Israel and Hezbollah returned to check on their homes after a ceasefire between the warring sides took effect.

Residents walk in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin on Wednesday, as people who had fled the war between Israel and Hezbollah returned to check on their homes after a ceasefire took effect. Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

The world welcomes the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, but worries remain

Celebratory gunfire rang out in Beirut to mark the start of a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah to end almost 14 months of fighting.

Monday

Residents and members of a civil defense team conduct search and rescue operations after the Israeli army targeted Asma School, run by the United Nations agency that aids Palestinians in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza Strip on Sunday. The wounded, including children, were brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The bodies of those who lost their lives were also brought to the hospital.

Residents and members of a civil defense team conduct search and rescue operations after the Israeli army targeted Asma School, run by the United Nations agency that aids Palestinians in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza Strip on Sunday. The wounded, including children, were brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The bodies of those who lost their lives were also brought to the hospital. Omar El Qattaa/Anadolu via Getty Images hide caption

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Omar El Qattaa/Anadolu via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

Israel awaits the U.S. election before a Gaza cease-fire, an official says

Egypt has a new cease-fire proposal amid Israel’s bombardment and siege of northern Gaza. Israel is discussing the proposal but waiting to see who is elected U.S. president, an official told NPR.

Tuesday

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a news conference on the investigative efforts related to violent criminal activity occurring in Canada with connections to India in Ottawa, Ontario, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a news conference on the investigative efforts related to violent criminal activity occurring in Canada with connections to India in Ottawa, Ontario, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. Justin Tang/AP/The Canadian Press hide caption

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Justin Tang/AP/The Canadian Press

The Americas

Canada expels India's top diplomat and alleges wider diplomatic involvement in crimes

Canada expelled India’s top diplomat in the country and five others over last year's killing of a Sikh activist in British Columbia. India rejected the charges and said it would expel Canadian envoys.

Friday

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu hold signs as he addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu hold signs as he addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday. Pamela Smith/AP hide caption

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Pamela Smith/AP

Middle East crisis — explained

Netanyahu defies calls for a cease-fire at the U.N., as Israel strikes Lebanon

In a fiery speech at the United Nations General Assembly, the Israeli prime minister said his country would is "winning" and would attack Iran and its proxies anywhere in the Middle East.

Wednesday

A vendor holds a portrait of Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto at a market in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 24.

A vendor holds a portrait of Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto at a market in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 24. Achmad Ibrahim/AP hide caption

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Achmad Ibrahim/AP

Year of Global Elections

Indonesia's next president has a complicated history with the U.S.

President-elect Prabowo Subianto was once banned by the U.S. for rights violations. But the U.S. earlier gave him military training. How will both countries deal with each other once he takes office?

Indonesia's next president has a complicated history with the U.S.

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Wednesday

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

Colombian President Gustavo Petro (center right) attends an International Workers' Day rally in Bogotá, Colombia, on Wednesday. Jair F. Coll/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Jair F. Coll/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

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

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.

Tuesday

Biden and China's Xi make first contact since November with a 'check-in' call

President Joe Biden greets China's leader Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool hide caption

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Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool

World

Biden and China's Xi make first contact since November with a 'check-in' call

Tuesday's call between the two leaders followed through on a pledge they made in November for more frequent contact to try to help stabilize the U.S.-China relationship.

Friday

A State Department official warns Israel of 'major' reputational damage in Gaza war

This picture taken from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip shows an Israeli army tank moving along the border with the Palestinian territory on March 20. Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

A State Department official warns Israel of 'major' reputational damage in Gaza war

Assistant Secretary of State Bill Russo told Israeli officials last week the Gaza war is damaging Israel's global reputation, potentially lasting a generation, according to a readout obtained by NPR.

Wednesday

Why North Korea wants another chance with Donald Trump

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un walks to a meeting with then-President Donald Trump in the Demilitarized Zone that straddles the Koreas on June 30, 2019. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Perspective

Why North Korea wants another chance with Donald Trump

Germany's former ambassador to North Korea provides insights from his time in the country, and explains why the regime would prefer a Trump win in 2024.