In Syria tens of thousands of people are searching for their loved ones who were disappeared by the Assad regime. What happened to them? With Mouaz Moustafa we visited a mass grave site with a man who helped dig the trenches and saw it all first hand. #Syria npr.org/2025/01/26/nx-…

Listen to this just unbelievable, powerful podcast episode by Ruth Sherlock it made me both laugh and cry. Syria is finally free but the important work of accountability and memorializing what happened and giving closure to millions of Syrians continues npr.org/2025/01/26/nx-…

NEW -- #Trump's global aid freeze has cut the salaries paid to many of the prison & camp guards responsible for securing 9,500 #ISIS militants & ~40,000 associated women/kids in northeast #Syria. Many are no longer turning up for work.

USAID officials called Trump's directives a "shock and awe" approach that has left officials unsure how to apply for exemptions for life-saving aid programs. "They even removed all the pictures in our offices of aid programs," per one official

Absolutely extraordinary: Pope Francis made 470 daily video calls to Gaza during Israel’s murderous genocidal campaign.

Two rambunctious Physiotherapy students at Gemelli hospital try to go to see the Pope on the tenth floor. Take a listen - npr.org/2025/02/24/nx-… #rome #PopeFrancis

The Pope’s road to recovery is astonishing. Whether due to the power of prayer, his family DNA (his grandmother Rosa lived to 92), his strong will, or the extraordinary medical care he has received— or a combination of all these God’s gifts—it is a marvel. Deo Gratias.

#Angelus #PapaFrancesco In questo lungo tempo di ricovero, ho avuto modo di sperimentare la pazienza del Signore, che vedo anche riflessa nella premura instancabile dei medici e degli operatori sanitari, così come nelle attenzioni e nelle speranze dei familiari degli ammalati.

There has been plenty of speculation about how the Pope would be taken back to the Santa Marta — ambulance? helicopter? — but it turns out: the little white Fiat, of course. With him in the front seat.

Here he is! Pope Francis, who at times was in very critical condition and on a non-invasive mechanical ventilator makes his first public appearance before being discharged from Gemelli hospital. #Vatican #Pope #Rome

Carmela Mancuso, calabrese, 72 anni, è la signora coi fiori gialli che #PapaFrancesco ha salutato dal balcone del Gemelli. Quasi ogni giorno è venuta a portare fiori: “Grazie. Non so che dire. Non pensavo di essere così vista. Auguro al Santo Padre di tornare come prima tra noi"

If you’re an academic leaving the U.S. because of the Trump administration’s actions, would you speak with me? 🙏

Here is my latest New Lines Magazine about remarkable conservation success story from #Yemen: Abdullah, through his own self-funded efforts, has managed to rescue endangered #Ibex from brink of extinction. newlinesmag.com/spotlight/one-…

My radio interview with NPR’s Ruth Sherlock aired tonight, where I discussed why the Houthis ended their seven-month pause on commercial Red Sea attacks. npr.org/2025/07/08/nx-…

So far only five of the 22 crew members of the Eternity C vessel hit by Houthis in the Red Sea have been found so far in the rescue mission. The bulk carrier has sunk. Why are these attacks happening? Listen here: npr.org/2025/07/08/nx-…

Two women with pets killed by wolves. Two very different responses that take you to the core of a battle unfolding over the fate for wolves in Europe. (Spoiler: one of the women is Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission.) Take a read and listen 🙏 npr.org/2025/07/09/g-s…

#Syria's SW province of #Suwayda has seen 5 days of chaotic, complex conflict now -- but as with previous bouts of hostilities in recent months, the information space has been plagued by disinformation, conflicting information & fast-changing developments. What's happened, a 🧵:

Finally, a warning on disinformation. In the past 3hrs alone, there's been reports of (1) a massacre in a hospital; (2) claims of "thousands" executed, including by carving out hearts; & (3) the burning alive of dozens of women/children. All seemingly fictitious. Be careful.