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State of the World from 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
State of the World from NPR

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State of the World from NPR

From 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

Most Recent Episodes

Retiring Later in China; Getting a Driver's License in Mexico

In China the government is raising the official retirement age to combat a rapidly shrinking workforce. We hear reaction from Chinese workers. And life in Mexico City presents many challenges for people there. But getting a driving license isn't one of them.

Retiring Later in China; Getting a Driver's License in Mexico

Listen · 8:11
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What is School Like for Children in War Zones?

A first-grader's drawing in the courtyard of Lyceum No 153 in Kyiv, Ukraine, a school damaged this summer after a Russian missile hit a children's hospital across the street. Joanna Kakissis/NPR hide caption

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Joanna Kakissis/NPR

What is School Like for Children in War Zones?

Life is uncertain for children in war zones. There, school can be a source of stability or just another thing that war obliterates. We hear reports on what school is like in three of the world's most active war zones: Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine.

What is School Like for Children in War Zones?

Listen · 7:42
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Exploding Pagers in Lebanon, Raising Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel

Authorities in Lebanon are blaming Israel for an apparent attack in which pagers, used by Hezbollah in Lebanon, exploded simultaneously. At least nine people were killed, more than 2,700 were injured. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese paramilitary group backed by Iran, had already been high and there were fears their frequent attacks on each other could escalate into all-out war. We hear about what this all could mean from our correspondent in the region.

Exploding Pagers in Lebanon, Raising Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel

Listen · 5:34
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In France, A Shocking Story and Difficult Questions About Society

A rape case in France involving a woman whose ex-husband is on trial for drugging her and recruiting other men to sexually assault her. Now thousands have turned out to support her and many are asking hard questions about the culture that allowed this to happen for years.

In France, A Shocking Story and Difficult Questions About Society

Listen · 5:51
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Should the U.N. Security Council be Reformed?

The United Nations flag waves during preparations for the UNGA 2023 at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Miguel J. Rodríguez Carrillo/Corbis via Getty Images hide caption

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Miguel J. Rodríguez Carrillo/Corbis via Getty Images

Should the U.N. Security Council be Reformed?

The Security Council is the United Nations' most powerful body, with the ability to impose sanctions and authorize the use of force. There are five permanent members of the council: Russia, France, China, the U.S and Britain. And any one of those permanent members can veto council resolutions. The U.S. is proposing expanding the number of permanent members, including two permanent seats for African countries. We talk to the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. about the proposal.

Should the U.N. Security Council be Reformed?

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Making German Chocolate Without Using Cocoa

An employee at the testing lab of Planet A Foods tests and processes ChoViva. Sandra Singh for NPR hide caption

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Sandra Singh for NPR

Making German Chocolate Without Using Cocoa

Cocoa beans, which are used to make chocolate, are mostly grown in a few places making them susceptible to the effects of extreme weather events, driven by climate change. We hear about a team in Germany that is developing a chocolate made without cocoa.

Making German Chocolate Without Using Cocoa

Listen · 5:04
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Twelve Years in an Iranian Prison for a Punctuation Mark

It's been two years since the death of a woman in the custody of Iran's morality police led to protests across the country. The brutal government crackdown that followed continues today- with artists, journalists and activists targeted. NPR's Jackie Northam brings us the voices of some of those affected.

Twelve Years in an Iranian Prison for a Punctuation Mark

Listen · 4:44
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Why Palestinians Often Struggle for Water in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank

Samhan Shreiteh walks around his house to show the new tanks he has to gather water. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

Why Palestinians Often Struggle for Water in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank

Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank say springs are taken over by Israeli settlers and taps in towns barely run. And in Britain, Princess Catherine Announces She's Completed Chemotherapy.

Why Palestinians Often Struggle for Water in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank

Listen · 10:23
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Afghan Women's Musical Protest

The ruling Taliban in Afghanistan issued a sweeping morality law in August. Among other things, it bans women's voices outside the home: no laughing, speaking loudly or singing. Afghan women outside the country are protesting the restriction by posting videos of themselves singing. We hear from some of them.

Afghan Women's Musical Protest

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Is Netanyahu an Obstacle to a Ceasefire Deal Between Israel and Hamas?

There has been nearly a week of protests in Israel following the death of six hostages held by Hamas. They're calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas, bringing the remining hostages held in Gaza home. But so far, no deal has been reached. We talk about how Israelis view their prime minister with Anshel Pfeffer, correspondent for The Economist and author of a biography of Netanyahu.

Is Netanyahu an Obstacle to a Ceasefire Deal Between Israel and Hamas?

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