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.
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What it's like on the ground in Gaza from an Israeli and a Palestinian
Confirmed 4
We hear about two experiences of life in Gaza. One from a 22 year-old Israeli reserve soldier sent into the Gaza Strip with his unit. And a mother of two who lives in Gaza trying to shield her children from the horrors of war and stay alive.
Expires in 23 hours
Published Wednesday
Danger for Gazans who followed Israel's evacuation order; family of released hostage
Confirmed 3
We hear from the family of four-year-old Abigail Edan, who was held hostage by Hamas and is the first American freed. And even though Israel urged civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate to the south of the territory for safety, Israeli bombardment in the south continued.Mark Giving Tuesday by signing up for State of the World+ and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.
Expires in 3 hours
Published Tuesday
The Hamas leader behind the October 7 attack and the hostage release
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The secretive leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahiya Sinwar, is thought to be the mastermind of the October 7 attack on Israel and he has led the Hamas negotiations on hostages. Our Jerusalem correspondent has met the Hamas leader at press conferences over the years and has this look at who he is and what his war strategy seems to be.Mark Giving Tuesday by signing up for State of the World+ and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.
Published Monday
The economic boom and environmental bust of illegal gold
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Illegal gold mining is profitable in Brazil, bringing in more than $2 billion a year. And the government has made it easier to get away with. But the practice damages the rainforest and poisons indigenous communities. We go to a town at the center of the illegal mine business.You can support NPR's journalism this Giving Tuesday by going to donate.npr.org or learn more about NPR+ at plus.npr.org.
Published Friday
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A possible deal to release Israeli hostages; Russian news media in exile
Hamas and Israel have reached a deal to release some Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a pause in fighting. We get the details from our reporter in Tel Aviv.And in Russia, a crack down on journalists following the invasion of Ukraine has caused some to continue their work outside the country.You can support NPR's journalism this Giving Tuesday by going to donate.npr.org or learn more about NPR+ at plus.npr.org.
Published 11/22
What it's like to be a Palestinian living in Israel right now
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One fifth of Israeli citizens also identify as Palestinian or Arab. Israel's war with Gaza has meant a tension between the actions of their country and their identity. At the same time, many are facing increased discrimination.And we meet a mother whose premature babies were finally evacuated from Gaza.You can support NPR's journalism this Giving Tuesday by going to donate.npr.org or learn more about NPR+ at plus.npr.org.
Published 11/21
We rewind to a time when Israel and Gaza were close to peace
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We hear about a time when an airport opened in Gaza, a U.S. president visited and it seemed like Palestinian statehood was close to being a reality.And, a multi-ethnic, multi-religious band in Israel is working to bridge some of the divides in the country.Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.
Published 11/20
An aid lifeline to Gaza: we go to the only crossing point in or out of the territory
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There's only one place goods or people are allowed to enter or leave Gaza. Our reporter is in Rafah, Egypt and sees the trickle of aid going into Gaza.Also, in an interview with NPR, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is vague on who will govern Gaza when the fighting stops.And comedians and writers on both sides of the conflict use satire to express their anger and grief.Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.
Published 11/17
President Biden's breakthrough agreements with the leader of China
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Biden met with President Xi Jinping of China for the first time in a year. And though expectations were low, our China correspondent tells us some important agreements emerged from the meeting.
Published 11/16
Israel's military enters Gaza hospital; Guatemala's president-elect on coup attempt
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The Israeli military says Hamas militants operate in the hospital. International rights groups say hospitals are protected under international law.And the president-elect of Guatemala, who won on an anti-corruption platform, believes the country's ruling elite are trying to prevent him from taking office.
Published 11/15
Renewed fighting on the border between Israel and Lebanon
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We go to southern Lebanon to hear from people who have endured decades of conflict and face new fighting as the war between Israel and Hamas increase regional tensions.
Published 11/14
A Ukrainian city one year after liberation from Russia
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The southern city of Kherson has been free from Russian occupation for a year. But while its liberation energized Ukrainian forces, Russian troops remain just a mile away.