The US State Department's top Middle East envoy, Barbara Leaf, arrived in Damascus today for meetings with Syria's new interim government. Also, a Belgian train conductor is under investigation for violating the country's language laws after greeting passengers bilingually. And, why the conditions for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are improving, and what incentives are pushing the talks forward between Israel and Hamas. Plus, why Hong Kong's claw machines may need to be regulated by the government.

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US officials say Russia has deployed some 8,000 North Koreans in the Kursk region, the border area where Ukrainian forces seized Russian territory in a surprise attack over the summer. But there may be far fewer troops returning home than Pyongyang expected. Also, journalists use fake Tinder profiles to identify and follow the movements of hundreds of soldiers in Europe, including many Americans. And, a look into the growing phenomenon of countries repressing dissidents beyond their own borders, including a NATO ally of the US: Turkey. Plus, Host Marco Werman puts his knowledge of Africa to the test in a trivia game.

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As Syria goes through historic changes, minority groups remain on edge. The commander of the US-backed Kurdish SDF discusses the situation in an exclusive interview with The World. Also, the tiny island nation of Vanuatu struggles to recover from a powerful earthquake. And, a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill in Ghana is one step closer to becoming law. Also, Thailand is offering a path to citizenship for nearly half a million stateless people in its borders in what its government is calling a “New Year’s gift.” Plus, a worldwide competition to find the coolest stick.

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A bomb went off early this morning in Moscow, killing a Russian General Igor Kirillov. He was the head of the Russian military’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces. Also, a mass grave has been found in Al-Qutayfah, Syria, bringing clarity to the fate of many political prisoners under the Assad regime. And, this year brought significant changes to Canada’s education sector, creating upheaval for international students. Plus, a new high-speed bullet train between Paris and Berlin is being hailed as a symbol of French-German friendship.

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Israel's prime minister says his government plans to double the Israeli population in the Golan Heights, an area considered a "strategic plateau" since Israel captured it from Syria in 1967. Also, South Korea's constitutional court is deciding whether or not to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. And, legendary tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain dies at the age of 73. Plus, a spicy Thai soup with a twist.

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The Sednaya Prison complex in Damascus was synonymous with the Syrian government's reputation for brutality. Once inside, prisoners had little chance of coming out alive. Over the past week, thousands of families rushed to the prison in the hopes of finding their missing loved ones. Also, Ukraine needs more troops to fend off Russian invaders. The draft age in Ukraine was already lowered from 27 to 25. Now, they're talking about drafting men who are 18 to 25. And, why the changing climate in places like Brazil and Vietnam will soon have you paying more for that morning cup of Joe.

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South Korea's president says he'll "fight to the end." But he's facing calls from all sides to resign. And the opposition says it plans to move on a second impeachment measure. We have the latest from the South Korean capital, Seoul. Also, why Syria's new leaders are working to get punishing economic sanctions lifted as soon as possible. And, we meet a man who was trafficked by an organized crime operation in Southeast Asia and forced to work as an internet scammer.

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Many Syrians who have lived in Turkey for years are eager to return home to Syria. But others say an evolving security situation and financial concerns are giving them pause. Meanwhile, governments across Europe have paused asylum applications submitted by Syrians. Also, a new report by the OECD finds that reading and math scores for adults in most of the world’s high-income countries have declined during the past decade. And, the Arctic tundra is now releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than it stores. Plus, a man from New Zealand who doesn’t speak Spanish has won the Spanish Scrabble championships.

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