March 23, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode

Israeli forces are carrying out ground operations in Gaza after days of aerial bombardment, as Israel tries to pressure Hamas into freeing the remaining hostages. The Gaza Health Ministry says the death toll in the 18 months since the war began has surpassed 50,000, with nearly 700 people killed since the ceasefire collapsed this past week. John Yang speaks with UNICEF’s Rosalia Bollen for more.

In our news wrap Sunday, a barrage of Russian drone attacks across Ukraine threaten to complicate U.S.-mediated ceasefire talks, a Turkish court ordered the arrested mayor of Istanbul to be jailed through his trial, high winds and dry conditions are fueling wildfires in the Carolinas, and Pope Francis is back at the Vatican after ending his weekslong hospital stay.

Can conspiracy theorists be shaken from their firm — and unsubstantiated — beliefs? Podcaster Zach Mack wanted to find out, so he turned to someone he’s debated about conspiracies for years: his father. He tells what happened in “Alternate Realties,” a three-part podcast from NPR. Mack and science writer David Robert Grimes join John Yang to discuss.

Millions of American women use some form of contraception to prevent pregnancy, and one of the most popular forms is an intrauterine device, or IUD. Lately, IUDs have been going viral not because of their popularity, but because of the pain associated with getting them. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Aaron Lazorwitz, a professor at Yale School of Medicine, to learn more.

The populations of some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife have been bouncing back thanks to decades of conservation efforts. But activists are warning that climate change and human activity are shrinking their habitats. Now, a nature preserve in central Kenya is pushing to set aside more land to connect with other preserves to allow wild animals to roam freely. John Yang reports.