State of the World from NPR
NPR
Immerse yourself in the most compelling and consequential stories from around the globe. The world is changing in big ways every day. State of the World from NPR takes you where the news is happening — and explains why it matters. With bureaus spanning the globe, NPR reporters bring you facts and context from the ground so you can cut through the noise of disinformation. NPR's State of the World, a human perspective on global stories in just a few minutes, every weekday. State of the World was previously State of Ukraine. You'll continue to hear Ukraine coverage here, along with other international stories.
Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to State of the World+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/stateoftheworld
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United States
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NPR
Description:
Immerse yourself in the most compelling and consequential stories from around the globe. The world is changing in big ways every day. State of the World from NPR takes you where the news is happening — and explains why it matters. With bureaus spanning the globe, NPR reporters bring you facts and context from the ground so you can cut through the noise of disinformation. NPR's State of the World, a human perspective on global stories in just a few minutes, every weekday. State of the World was previously State of Ukraine. You'll continue to hear Ukraine coverage here, along with other international stories. Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to State of the World+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/stateoftheworld
Language:
English
Episodes
NATO Shoots Down Russian Drones Over Poland
9/10/2025
More than a dozen Russian drones entered the airspace of Poland, triggering NATO to scramble fighter jets to shoot them down. The drones came as part of a larger wave Russia sent to attack neighboring Ukraine and it was the first time in the history of NATO that alliance fighters engaged enemy aircraft in allied airspace. We get the latest on the incident, and hear about Article 4 of the NATO which Poland has evoked in response.
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Duration:00:09:21
Israel Attacks Hamas Leadership in Qatar
9/9/2025
For the first time, Israel launched an airstrike in Qatar, bombing a building in Doha that houses Hamas political leadership. Israel says the targets were complicit in planning the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and in directing Hamas movements in the war in Gaza. We get reaction from the U.S. and the Mideast region and ask what this development might mean in the effort towards a Gaza cease-fire.
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Duration:00:05:13
The Boy Known as “God’s Influencer” Becomes the First Millennial Saint
9/8/2025
An Italian boy who died at age fifteen in 2006 becomes the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint. He was canonized over the weekend. This saint from the smartphone generation was known for using technology to spread the faith. We go to his tomb in a hilltop village in Italy.
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Duration:00:07:44
Trump Administration’s War with International Drug Cartels
9/5/2025
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the Trump administration is at war with the drug cartels and a recent deadly strike on a boat from Venezuela was just the beginning. Some countries in Central and South America are expressing unease, while others are willing to partner in the effort- despite questions about the legalities of the administration’s actions.
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Duration:00:06:56
US coffee tariffs stir trouble for Brazil, but opportunity for Colombia
9/4/2025
A 50% U.S. tariff on Brazilian coffee just kicked in — and it’s shaking up global supply chains. As American roasters scramble for alternatives, Colombia is cashing in. But how long will the beans — and prices — hold?
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Duration:00:04:56
What a Parade in China Says About That Country’s View of the World
9/3/2025
China holds a military parade that is about more that commemorating the end of World War II. We hear about which world leaders attended the ceremony and the message China is trying to convey about its role in the world.
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Duration:00:08:24
Israel Begins its Invasion of Gaza City
9/2/2025
The Israeli military has begun a push into Gaza City, with an expected ground invasion and forcible evacuation of nearly a million people living there. Many residents are already fleeing. But with the vast majority of Gaza declared off-limits by Israel, where are refugees able to go?
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Duration:00:06:02
Encore: Tracking Wolves in Italy
9/1/2025
In this encore episode, we hear about the return of wolves to Europe. After being hunted to near extinction, they have made a population comeback in recent decades with the help of conservation efforts. Now, the country with the most wolves in Europe is Italy. Our correspondent in Rome sets out for the Italian forest with an organization that takes small groups to try to see wolves in the wild.
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Duration:00:08:29
The Effects of Melting Glaciers in Europe
8/29/2025
Europe is the world’s fastest warming continent with temperatures there increasing at twice the average global rate. That is melting Europe's glaciers, which may disappear by the end of the century, forever altering the continent's rivers with ripple effects on shipping. We go to the water’s source in the Swiss Alps to understand the changes taking place.
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Duration:00:10:00
How did a Major Chinese Investment in Afghanistan Collapse?
8/28/2025
When the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took control, China stepped in with a sizable investment to develop oil fields. But now the Afghan Government has cut the contract and the Chinese firm says the Taliban took some of its workers hostage.
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Duration:00:04:46
Treating Children Injured in War
8/27/2025
Nearly two years into the war in Gaza, UNICEF estimates that more than 50,000 Palestinian children have been killed or injured. We meet a doctor in nearby Lebanon where he and his team are racing to heal the handful of kids they can reach.
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Duration:00:08:53
Where do Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine Stand?
8/26/2025
President Trump has made clear he’s interested in ending the war Russia has waged on Ukraine. After a flurry of diplomatic meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a variety of European leaders, is the prospect of peace near? We hear from NPR’s correspondent in Moscow and a national security correspondent from the New York Times on whether progress has been made.
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Duration:00:07:55
Uncovering the Secrets of an Irish Home for Unwed Mothers
8/25/2025
In Ireland, the Catholic Church once ran homes for unwed mothers. Until recently the church dominated life there and pregnancy outside marriage was considered shameful. Behind one of these homes a ghastly discovery has recently been made and is now being unearthed. It was a secret most people in the town knew about, but no one took any action until recently.
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Duration:00:11:54
What is Hamas’ Strategy?
8/22/2025
A U.N. backed panel of experts declares a famine in the northern part of Gaza, the first time there has been a confirmed famine in the Middle East. We hear about the conditions that lead to the declaration. And Hamas has endorsed a new proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, while Israel is threatening a new assault into Gaza City. We hear about the pressure Hamas is facing from Arab countries while it seeks to ensure its own survival.
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Duration:00:09:19
Protester Arrests in the UK; Garden Surprises in Mexico City
8/21/2025
After banning a pro-Palestinian protest group and labeling members terrorists, the UK has been arresting hundreds of protesters at weekly rallies, mostly elderly people. Critics say it endangers freedom of speech and assembly.
And Mexico City is not known for its tropical fruits. But climate change is causing some surprising things to grow in local gardens.
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Duration:00:08:32
The “White Walkers” of Gaza
8/20/2025
In the Gaza Strip thousands of exhausted, hungry people seek meager food at a distribution site in the north. Those lucky enough to get one of the sacks of white flour given out are called “white walkers”, a reference to zombie-like characters in the television show "Game of Thrones". But many leave empty-handed and simply seeking the food aid is dangerous and often deadly. We go to one of these sites to see the dangers hungry Palestinians will face in search of food.
You can see a short video version of this report here.
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Duration:00:06:22
President Trump’s Talks with the Leaders of Russia and Ukraine
8/19/2025
President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and seven European leaders met at the White House to talk about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. The meeting followed a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week. We dive into the proposals to end the war and how each side might react to them. We hear from NPR’s correspondent in Moscow and Ukraine’s former foreign minister.
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Duration:00:09:19
A Devastating Drought in Iran
8/18/2025
heat this summer, compounded with government mismanagement of the country’s dams have led to an impending water crisis in Iran. Officials are warning that Iran’s ten million residents might run out of water in a matter of weeks. We hear how this has happened and what it means for Iranians.
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Duration:00:05:17
A Secret History of the Japanese Army
8/15/2025
On the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in WWII, the legacy of a biological warfare unit still haunts. And human rights activists are alarmed by the Trump administration’s changing focus.
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Duration:00:09:35
Four Years after Taliban's Return to Power in Afghanistan, Life for Many has Worsened
8/14/2025
It's been four years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban's return to power. Life for certain groups has deteriorated significantly. But the Trump administration says Afghanistan’s conditions have improved in recent years to the point where sending Afghan nationals BACK does not pose a threat to their safety.
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Duration:00:06:27