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Thursday

The Legacy of Henry Kissinger

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in 2008 at the Woodrow Wilson Center's inauguration of the Kissinger Institute on China and the U.S. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

Perspective

Consider This from NPR

The Legacy of Henry Kissinger

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was viewed as brilliant by some and a war criminal by others. The only man to ever hold the jobs of National Security Advisor and Secretary of State at the same time died at his Connecticut home at the age of 100.

The Legacy of Henry Kissinger

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Russia's Supreme Court effectively outlaws LGBTQ+ activism in a landmark ruling

Gay rights activists carry rainbow flags as they march during a May Day rally in 2013 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Russia's Supreme Court on Thursday effectively outlawed LGBTQ+ activism, in the most drastic step against advocates of gay, lesbian and transgender rights in the increasingly conservative country. AP hide caption

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AP

Russia's Supreme Court effectively outlaws LGBTQ+ activism in a landmark ruling

Addressing a lawsuit filed by the Justice Ministry, the court labeled the LGBTQ+ "movement" in Russia an extremist group and banned it. The case was classified, and the ministry disclosed no evidence.

Meta warns that China is stepping up its online social media influence operations

Meta, the social media company that owns Facebook and Instagram, said Thursday that this year it has taken down five networks of fake accounts originating in China that aimed to influence politics in other countries. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Untangling Disinformation

Meta warns that China is stepping up its online social media influence operations

China has become the third most common source of foreign influence operations, behind Russia and Iran, according to the owner of Facebook and Instagram.

Six more hostages released by Hamas as talks over extending the Gaza truce continue

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, listens as Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks Thursday in Tel Aviv. Blinken urged Israeli officials to take "more effective steps" to avoid harm to civilians in Gaza. Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

Six more hostages released by Hamas as talks over extending the Gaza truce continue

As both sides prepared for the final planned hostage-for-prison swap, gunmen killed three Israelis in an attack on the outskirts of West Jerusalem early Thursday.

Wednesday

Oil spills increase in Venezuela as it revs up output after the U.S. lifted sanctions

A work brigade sponsored by Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA, which critics blame for the oil spills, use shovels and rakes to remove congealed petroleum from a Lake Maracaibo beach. John Otis for NPR hide caption

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John Otis for NPR

The Americas

Oil spills increase in Venezuela as it revs up output after the U.S. lifted sanctions

After the U.S. lifted its sanctions, Venezuela is trying to revive its beleaguered oil industry. But ramping up production is causing more oil spills.

Oil spills increase in Venezuela as it revs up output after the U.S. lifted sanctions

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This 3-year cruise around the world is called off, leaving passengers in the lurch

When the Life at Sea cruise line failed to purchase the German cruise ship AIDAaura, seen here in 2020, its plans for a worldwide cruise embarking in November began to unravel. Marit Hommedal/NTB Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Marit Hommedal/NTB Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

National

This 3-year cruise around the world is called off, leaving passengers in the lurch

Disappointed customers are now scrambling to make new plans for where they will live for the next three years — and to extract refunds from the company.

Where the Republican presidential candidates stand on Israel, Ukraine and China

From left to right, top: former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former President Donald Trump, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. From left to right, bottom: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Vivek Ramaswamy. Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Brandon Bell/Getty Images; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; Scott Olson/Getty Images; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Brandon Bell/Getty Images; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; Scott Olson/Getty Images; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Tracking the issues in the 2024 election

Where the Republican presidential candidates stand on Israel, Ukraine and China

Foreign policy doesn't always make headlines in presidential campaigns, but with the U.S. involved in two foreign wars — and facing a rising adversary in China, voters are paying more attention.

Travel is supposed to expand your horizons...but it's complicated

Author Shahnaz Habib next to the cover of her new book, Airplane Mode. Author photo by Eva Garmendia hide caption

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Author photo by Eva Garmendia

Code Switch

Travel is supposed to expand your horizons...but it's complicated

Traveling is supposed to open your mind and expand your horizons — but what if it doesn't? In her new book Airplane Mode, author Shahnaz Habib suggests that sometimes, traveling does more to enforce our ideas about the world than to upend them. Which means that people with "passport privilege" — AKA, the ability to travel freely from country to country — may end up feeling like the stars of some massive international adventure, while people whose travel is more restricted feel like perpetual interlopers.

Travel is supposed to expand your horizons...but it's complicated

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Ukraine says spy chief's wife is being treated for poisoning with heavy metals

In this file photo, Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's military intelligence chief, center, attends a commemorative event on the occasion of the Russia Ukraine war one year anniversary in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 24, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP hide caption

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Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP

Ukraine invasion — explained

Ukraine says spy chief's wife is being treated for poisoning with heavy metals

Marianna Budanova is the wife of Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency. She is undergoing treatment in a hospital.

Tuesday

Pope cancels trip to U.N. climate conference on doctors' orders after getting the flu

Pope Francis waves to the faithful at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. The pope, who will turn 87 next month, canceled his trip to Dubai for the U.N. climate conference on doctors' orders. Andrew Medichini/AP hide caption

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Andrew Medichini/AP

Religion

Pope cancels trip to U.N. climate conference on doctors' orders after getting the flu

Francis' planned Saturday address would have been the first time a pope had addressed a U.N. climate conference, which is taking place in Dubai.

What to know about the hostages still held by Hamas

Israelis gather to witness the first batch of released hostages being brought to Schneider Hospital via helicopter on Nov. 24. Maya Levin for NPR hide caption

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Maya Levin for NPR

Middle East crisis — explained

What to know about the hostages still held by Hamas

Under an extension of a temporary cease-fire, Hamas freed 12 more hostages on Tuesday, including 10 Israelis and two foreign nationals, Israel's military said. About 160 hostages remain in captivity.

Russian court extends Evan Gershkovich's detention until the end of January

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the Moscow City Court in Moscow, on Oct. 10. A court in Moscow on Tuesday extended his detention until Jan. 30, Russian news agencies reported. Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP hide caption

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Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

Russian court extends Evan Gershkovich's detention until the end of January

A court extended the detention of the Wall Street Journal reporter, arrested on espionage charges, until Jan. 30, Russian news agencies reported. Gershkovich and the Journal deny the allegations.