Episode description

Kate Adie presents stories from Israel, Sudan, the US, Bali and Canada

It’s nearly a year since the Hamas launched its attacks in southern Israel, to which Israel responded with a major aerial bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza. This fifth Gaza war is the longest ever, and shortly after it began, Lyse Doucet had a prescient encounter that presaged Israel's response over the past 12 months.

Sudan’s civil war has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises – with nine million people forced from their homes. Barbara Plett Usher reflects on a powerful encounter with one woman, whose torment reflects that of the entire country.

In this week’s VP debate in the US, one issue continued to provoke strong responses – that of abortion rights. And in some parts of the country, the future of access to IVF is also polarising communities, especially among evangelical Christians, after an Alabama court ruling this year. Ellie House was in the swing state of Michigan.

The town of Canggu in Bali has seen radical transformation, evolving from a low-key fishing town to a haven for digital nomads. For locals, it's brought fast-paced change and new jobs - but it's compounded existing problems with infrastructure, as Michelle Jana Chan discovered.

This week Dutch PM, Mark Rutte, took over as NATO secretary general. He travelled to Ukraine, just as Kyiv suffered a heavy blow with the fall of Vuhledar in the east. NATO meanwhile has to continue to prepare for a wider conflict of any kind. Hannah King witnessed a recent training exercise in Canada.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison