World There's no Christmas in Bethlehem this year. With war in Gaza, festivities are off In a city synonymous with the birth of Jesus, Christmas is typically a time when Bethlehem is full of visitors. But with war raging, the city's Christian leaders have canceled public celebrations. Scott Neuman Kat Lonsdorf
National 'Fear rather than sensitivity': Most U.S. scholars on the Mideast are self-censoring The war between Israel and Hamas is testing the limits of free speech across college campuses. And it's also affecting those who study the Middle East. Manuela López Restrepo
Health WHO resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict hopes for 'health as a bridge to peace' The health organization's director-general says needed humanitarian aid isn't possible without a cease-fire but the resolution provides a platform to build from. Ari Daniel
Politics Biden says Congress must approve Ukraine aid this month: 'We can't let Putin win' The White House has warned it would run out of money for weapons and aid by the end of the month to support Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion. Lexie Schapitl
World Israel is trying to arm more citizens with guns since the Hamas attack Israel was already known for having lots of firearms. But since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, the Israeli government has moved to loosen gun restrictions and fast-track permits for civilians. Scott Neuman Eleanor Beardsley
World Israel is expanding its offensive in Gaza, forcing more Palestinians to flee south The apparent drive to encircle Gaza's second-largest city of Khan Younis, a Hamas stronghold, was forcing people to flee further south to escape the fighting. Scott Neuman Daniel Estrin
World At Israeli rave site attacked by Hamas, DJs play music to honor the dead and missing The memorial event, at which five DJs played, took place at the site where Hamas killed hundreds attending a rave on Oct. 7. "This is the first time I've been able to cry," says one attendee. Eleanor Beardsley
Parents of slain Gaza activist Rachel Corrie carry her message forward 20 years after her death In the 20 years since their daughter, Rachel, was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer while protesting the demolition of a Palestinian home in the Gaza Strip, Craig and Cindy Corrie have devoted their lives to her cause. Stephen Howie John O'Brien Angela King
World More captives to be freed as mediators work to prolong the Israel-Hamas truce At least 30 Palestinians in Israeli jails and 10 hostages held by Hamas are likely to be freed on Wednesday. U.S. and Israeli officials are in Qatar trying to work out a further cease-fire extension. Scott Neuman Daniel Estrin
World 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. Scott Neuman
