Podcast · 325 episodes
State of the World from NPR, page 2
by NPR · English
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. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for State of the World.
All episodes, page 2
How Israeli and American attitudes towards each other have changedHow Israeli and American attitudes toward each other have shifted since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks, amid Israel’s Gaza/ Lebanon invasion and U.S.-Israel actions in the region.27 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 4 chapters
Congolese designers push fashion in a different directionDRC Fashion Week in Kinshasa and how Congolese designers use fashion to express identity beyond poverty and conflict coverage.26 Aug 2026 · 4 min · 1 chapter
Chinese workers fight back against AI; the meaning of milk in RwandaChinese workers’ backlash to AI replacing jobs, and Rwanda’s cultural meaning of milk amid health concerns.25 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 2 chapters
Will the Trump Administration’s latest economic pressure on Iran work?The episode examines whether the Trump administration’s new “economic D-Day” sanctions on Iran will change Iran’s behavior, and the risks for allies and China.24 Aug 2026 · 12 min · 8 chapters
Are U.S. embassies in the Middle East weakened?Whether U.S. embassies in the Middle East are “weakened” due to reduced staffing after the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and Iran’s attacks on U.S. targets.21 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 3 chapters
Surprising political effects of Europe’s heat wavesHow Europe’s record-breaking heat waves and related drought/wildfires are shaping political support, especially for far-right populist parties, rather than boosting green parties.20 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 2 chapters
Iraq is caught between Washington and TehranIraq’s new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, faces pressure from Washington to disarm Iran-backed militias by late September, while Iraq’s security and politics remain deeply tied to Iran.19 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 4 chapters
Charm and charges for India’s youthIndia’s BJP tries to win Gen Z youth voters with “charm” via social media (Instagram, Snapchat, slang), while “punishment” continues through police arrests and criminal charges after youth-led…18 Aug 2026 · 6 min · 4 chapters
Israeli settlers besiege a West Bank house owned by a U.S. citizenThe episode reports on a “bizarre standoff” in the occupied West Bank: extremist Israeli settlers besieged a modern 4,000-square-foot house owned by Palestinian American Kusai Aburidi in Khosra/Kusra…17 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 3 chapters
Heavy environmental toll of war in southern LebanonThe environmental toll of the Israel–Hezbollah war in southern Lebanon, focusing on hidden soil and water contamination from airstrikes and weapons use, plus long-term risks to agriculture and…14 Aug 2026 · 6 min · 3 chapters
China's courts side with AI-displaced workers but job anxiety persistsChina’s courts are ruling in favor of workers displaced by AI, but job anxiety and employment risks remain high. Guests: No named guests; reporting by NPR’s Jennifer Pak.13 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 4 chapters
Pacific marine monuments lose environmental protectionsThe episode is about the Trump administration rolling back federal environmental protections for Pacific U.S. marine monuments, including Palmyra Atoll, by allowing commercial fishing.12 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 5 chapters
Count Binface runs against Reform Party’s Farage in UK electionThe episode is about two NPR segments: (1) national security concerns, asking whether Iran is trying to hack U.S.11 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 3 chapters
Syria’s archaeological riches face threat of lootingThe episode “Syria’s archaeological riches face threat of looting” (State of the World, NPR) explains how Syria’s ancient heritage is being endangered after the civil war.10 Aug 2026 · 8 min · 4 chapters
Why does Switzerland have so many nuclear bunkers?Why Switzerland has hundreds of thousands of underground nuclear bunkers and how the system works today.7 Aug 2026 · 7 min · 4 chapters
The Iran war hangs over a major Shiite pilgrimageThe Iran war’s impact on the annual Shia pilgrimage to Karbala, Iraq, commemorating the 7th-century killing of Imam Hussain, with more Iranian participation amid U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran.6 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 7 chapters
Israeli settler activity increases in the West BankNPR’s State of the World reports on increased Israeli settler activity in the West Bank amid Israel’s far-right government and an October election.5 Aug 2026 · 8 min · 4 chapters
Why Russia’s strikes on Ukraine are more intense; Germany’s song of the summerRussia’s strikes on Ukraine have intensified because Ukraine is running out of U.S.-made Patriot ballistic missile defense missiles; the episode also covers Germany’s viral “Song of the Summer,” “Du…4 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 7 chapters
Looking back at the deadly protests in IranNPR’s State of the World looks back at Iran’s January 2023 protests and the government crackdown, citing confirmed deaths of at least 7,000 over two days and human-rights estimates closer to 20,000.3 Aug 2026 · 8 min · 7 chapters
Abandoned island in Venice lagoon saved as green nature retreatThe episode is about saving and restoring Poveglia, an abandoned island in the Venice Lagoon, as public green space.31 Jul 2026 · 5 min · 6 chapters
Wildfires threaten France. Cubans look to Brazil for new homeWildfires in France (Bordeaux region) and Cuban migration shifting from the U.S. to Brazil.30 Jul 2026 · 8 min · 3 chapters
United Nations’ new Ebola coordinator, and choosing a new U.N. secretary-generalThe episode has two parts. First, it reports on the UN’s response to accelerating Ebola in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: infections and deaths rising fast, with 250 deaths in seven days…29 Jul 2026 · 8 min · 2 chapters
A Zulu-language Netflix drama is a surprise global binge-watchThe episode covers Netflix’s surprise global hit The Polygamist, a Zulu-language South African telenovela set in Johannesburg.28 Jul 2026 · 5 min · 2 chapters
Pakistani researchers find link between the microbiome and premature birthThe episode reports on a study by Pakistani researchers linking the gut microbiome to premature birth.27 Jul 2026 · 6 min · 5 chapters