Shirin Jaafari

Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas - The World from PRX US President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after two years of a deadly conflict. Israeli hostages are expected to be released by early next week, and Israel’s army is...

If you want a feel for how people in Gaza and in Israel are processing the news of the last 24 hours, no question, you want to hear the voices gathered by @shirinj.bsky.social and @matthewjbell.bsky.social for @theworld.org theworld.org/segments/202...

Peaceful sleep is a dream in war zones - The World from PRX “I hope that one day, even for just one day, I could sleep peacefully, without fear.” That’s a statement from a 19-year-old who has been living through Israel’s war in Gaza for the past 22 months. For...

Do you know what it’s like trying to sleep at night in a war zone?

Or how that would affect you after 1, 2, 3 years or more?

The last line of this story by @shirinj.bsky.social is A+.

theworld.org/segments/202...

Thanks for sharing🙏🏽

"One of our local partners had done a survey and found that the three top needs of children in Gaza are food, clothes and wheelchairs."

“What I witnessed in Gaza, it wasn’t just a graveyard for innocent children. It has become a graveyard for our humanity.” Save The Children’s Shaima Al-Obaidi told me today. @theworld.org

Anas al-Sharif, prominent Al Jazeera correspondent, among five journalists killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza Israel admits deliberate attack on the journalist, known for frontline coverage, in a strike on a tent outside al-Shifa hospital

I have studied the targeting of journalists for many years, but the scale and public display of these killings is truly shocking: “Israel admits deliberate attack on the journalist, known for frontline coverage, in a strike on a tent outside al-Shifa hospital“

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Covering Gaza A New Lines editor records her conversations with Palestinians about the challenges of living and writing in the territory

"It’s not just the horror, but the horror combined with the helplessness." @lsmwilson.bsky.social
newlinesmag.com/first-person...

To Ziad Rahbani, From Laila Mokhiber - Rolling Stone MENA The senior communications director at UNRWA pens her love letter to the late Ziad Rahbani.

"You showed us that love for your homeland could look like rage.
That mockery could be holy.
That art wasn’t just decoration.
It was a demand."
Beautiful tribute by Laila Mokhiber for @rollingstone.com
mena.rollingstone.com/tribute/to-z...

US begins organ-transplant reform as 'signs of life' found before some retrievals The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a reform of the organ-transplant system and threatened to close a major procurement body, after a probe found premature attempts to start organ retrieval while patients showed signs of life.

I'm sorry, what???
"At least 28 patients may not have been deceased at the time organ procurement was initiated"
www.reuters.com/business/hea...

'I have forgotten what fruit tastes like': Mass starvation grips the Gaza Strip - The World from PRX After four months of near-total siege by Israel, people in Gaza are starving. According to the United Nations, at least 1 in 3 people are going multiple days without eating. Death from hunger is risin...

Have you ever held a four-year-old child who is so thin that he or she weighs the same as a one-year old? Alex de Waal @worldpeacefdtn.bsky.social speaks to my colleague @shirinj.bsky.social about the devastating situation in Gaza in this report on @theworld.org Really worth a listen
rb.gy/z3nydi

Falling Fruit A massive, collaborative map of the urban harvest uniting the efforts of foragers, freegans, and foresters around the world. Explore and share information about the sources of free food in your neighb...

This is an amazing app. A map of all the urban fruit trees near you with info on the timing and quality of their fruit. You’re welcome!

Now maybe I can find/try some local pawpaws this year…

fallingfruit.org

Highly unlikely Netanyahu will let this happen.

U.S. shrinks presence in Middle East amid fears of Israeli strike on Iran U.S. embassies and military bases across the Middle East are on high alert, as fears grow about an Israeli strike on Iran.

www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

Gaza doctors give their own blood to patients after scores gunned down seeking aid Doctors in the Gaza Strip are donating their own blood to save their patients after scores of Palestinians were gunned down while trying to get food aid, the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Thursday.

"Cornish said staff at one of the hospitals where MSF operates had to give blood as most Palestinians are now too poorly nourished to donate."
www.reuters.com/world/middle...

Survivors of Assad regime’s chemical attacks are demanding justice — and support - The World from PRX During the 13-year civil war in Syria, the forces loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad carried out some of the most horrific chemical attacks in recent history. One of them was in April 2018, in ...

Incredible reporting by @shirinj.bsky.social, who speaks with survivors of Assad’s chemical attacks, now that they can finally tell their stories.
theworld.org/stories/2025...

Thanks for sharing Gina.

GBH cuts more than 40 staffers in new layoffs The layoffs come as public media faces increased scrutiny and funding threats from the federal government.

This is a very tough time for all of us in public media.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...

The Sound of Her Voice Despite her success, Mary Margaret McBride did not like the thought that she sounded like other women on the radio. Because everyone thought women on the radio sounded annoying. Today a story of the v...

"Just as biased medical research resulted a diagnostic and treatment system based on male bodies, the almost exclusively male sound- engineering world seems to have established a vocal baseline that still haunts us today."
continuous-wave.beehiiv.com/p/the-sound-...

We’re halfway through our roadshow week in San Diego. We’ve been broadcasting live out of @kpbssandiego.bsky.social studios. Our show hosts, supervising producer and editors have been busy interviewing guests for the show and meeting KPBS staff, donors and listeners like you!

🙏🏽

US sends ’largest’ trade mission to Iraq to boost economic ties The visit is the largest US trade mission to Iraq in the more than 100-year history of the United States Chamber of Commerce.

US sends 'largest' trade mission to Iraq to boost economic ties www.newarab.com/news/us-send...

Also in the agreement: "Recognizing the Kurds as an integral part of Syria and ensuring their constitutional rights and full citizenship."

Border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields will come under the control of the central government, according to the agreement between the SDF and the interim government in Damascus.

Historic moment!

Covid’s Long-Term Effects on the Lungs, Gut, Brain and More Five years on, scientists are starting to understand how the virus can lead to long-term, sometimes invisible changes.

"An infection can also lead to other issues, including lung and heart damage and microbiome changes in the gut, that may not always be recognized as long Covid but can still have a lasting effect on our health."
A Clearer Picture of Covid’s Lasting Effects on the Body www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/w...

Motorcycle taxis are increasingly being driven by women in Uganda - The World from PRX In Uganda, motorcycles are one of the most popular forms of public transport. In the capital city, Kampala, there are hundreds of thousands of them. Until recently, all of them were driven by men. But...

Happy #InternationalWomensDay! 🧵 Here’s a thread of inspiring stories and interviews about remarkable, innovative and daring women from around the world that we've covered this past year. 🌐

🛵 Motorcycle taxis are increasingly being driven by women in Uganda.

Thanks Lex!

46.1 million people were counted in Iraq's first census in nearly 40 years The final results of Iraq’s first census in nearly 40 years show the population has reached 46.1 million.

First census in nearly 40 years
apnews.com/article/iraq...

"It said demand started to pick up in the fourth quarter, but there are clouds on the horizon"

Gulf’s biggest operator of American fast food restaurants — which runs some 1,850 outlets around the region under brands like KFC and Pizza Hut — blamed geopolitical tensions and weak consumer demand for 9% fall in revenue and 39% drop in profit in 2024 compared to a year earlier.
@semafor.com