State of the World from NPR

The recent controversy in the U.S. over Jimmy Kimmel’s show being taken off the air, then restored got two of our correspondents thinking about similar sagas in the countries they cover. In both France and Russia popular political satire shows with puppets ran afoul of those in power and were pushed off the air. We hear from each show’s creator about what happened. See pcm.adswizz.com for informat...

Protests in Morocco and Madagascar, two disparate and distant African countries, highlight the younger generation’s frustrations over enduring years of poor governance. Our correspondent in Africa tells us these youth movements are fueled by social media and are demanding government accountability. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship an...

In Colombia we meet marine biologist Elvira Álvarado, known as the “mother of coral”. At 70, she’s still diving and pioneering a type of coral IVF to help save endangered reefs. And in China, ride-hailing companies are penalizing drivers for smelly rides.  See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship prefer...

The United States is no longer providing weapons to Ukraine directly in their fight against Russia, so Ukraine is building their own as fast as they can. Ukraine’s president has suggested their weapons industry is advanced enough export their goods to like-minded countries. Our correspondent explores Ukraine’s arms industry and views Ukrainian-made weapons on display at a conference held in an unu...

In a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump unveiled a 20-point plan to end the fighting in Gaza. Netanyahu said he has agreed to the plan for now, but underscored that Israel is ready to keep fighting if Hamas doesn’t agree to all the terms. Our reporter was there for the announcement and brings us more details. See pcm.adswizz.com for information ab...

In Mexico, chile en nogada is the taste of September. But one key ingredient —a candied cactus — is now illegal to buy - because its on the verge of extinction. But as our Mexico correspondent learns, traditions in Mexico are very hard to break. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR...

Our reporter in Gaza brings us scenes from Gaza City as Israel attempts to occupy the population center. A hospital courtyard has become a graveyard. And we hear one expert’s take on whether recent announcements of countries recognizing a Palestinian state will make a difference in the peace process. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the United Nations the day after President Trump reversed his position on the war with Russia, saying Ukraine could win back all the territory it has lost. Meanwhile, Russia’s ramped up attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks have included more and more Russian aircraft entering the airspace of NATO countries. NATO has warned future incursions will lead...

In the United States it is estimated that more than 218,000 people don’t have citizenship — in the U.S. or any other country. This can make all kinds of mundane tasks, like opening a bank account or travelling, difficult to impossible. And with the Trump administration aggressively going after people without legal status to be in the country, many people who are stateless worry about indefinite de...

Over the last few days, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, France and others recognized Palestine as a sovereign state. It’s a recognition Palestinians have been seeking for decades and that Israel says is a gift to Hamas. We get reaction from residents of the Occupied West Bank and from the U.N. General Assembly which is underway in New York. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our coll...

U.S. import tariffs have had a noticeable impact on the shrimp industry in India, which until recently was a success story. Our correspondent goes to a coastal Indian town to see how those who depend on shrimp exports for their livelihood are coping. And she learns about the broader effects low shrimp prices in the U.S. have had across the world. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our colle...

Along with the terrible cost in human lives, wars often bring rapid technological innovation and the war in Gaza is no different. More Israeli soldiers’ lives have been saved in this war compared to previous wars, thanks to medical advances, new technology and lessons learned on the operating table. We hear about some about some of the medical innovations being made. See pcm.adswizz.com for inform...

The United Nation is holding its annual General Assembly this month as the organization marks 80 years since its founding. But the body created in the aftermath of World War II to save future generations from scourge of war is struggling. With wars in Ukraine and Gaza and now with a Trump administration which wants to reshape the U.S. relationship with the U.N. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

Israel says a new phase of the war in Gaza has begun as troops make a push to takeover and occupy Gaza City. We get an update on the offensive. And for the first time a U.N. panel has found Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, we’ll hear from the head of commission that came to that finding. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/middle-east See pcm.adswizz.com for inform...

Ahead of a Presidential visit to the United Kingdom this week, we learn about the heritage of Donald Trump’s mother, who was born and raised in one of the UK’s northernmost islands. Our correspondent takes us to the Scottish island where Mary Ann MacLeod was born and learned English as her second language after Gaelic.   See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal...

Indian cities are noisy – very noisy. And now drivers are buying louder horns so they can be heard above the din. But that’s adding to noise pollution in cities like Mumbai. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

In the early 1960s, U Thant, a practicing Buddhist from a remote town in Burma, became the first non-Western secretary-general of the United Nations. He immediately faced unfolding crises around the world. We talk with U Thant’s grandson about his new book “Peacemaker: U Thant and the Forgotten Quest for a Just World.” See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal da...

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 whic...

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 ce...

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. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podc...

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. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

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? See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

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. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

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?  See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage yo...

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. S...