State of the World from NPR cover art
Podcast · 325 episodes

State of the World from NPR, page 4

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 4

World Cup firsts for Iran and UzbekistanThe episode combines two “World Cup firsts” with international politics. Topic 1: Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut—first Central Asian nation to appear—framed as a sign of broader change.22 Jun 2026 · 10 min · 3 chapters
India’s plans for a remote island paradiseIndia’s Great Nicobar Island “Great Nicobar Project,” an 80,000 crore plan to turn a remote, biodiverse island into a trade/tourism/transport hub with a transshipment terminal, airport, township,…19 Jun 2026 · 7 min · 4 chapters
A Ukrainian drone team hitting targets deep inside RussiaThe episode (State of the World, June 18) describes Ukraine’s early-morning wave of long-range drones hitting targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow.18 Jun 2026 · 9 min · 5 chapters
How do Iranians feel about the deal with the U.S.?The episode asks how Iranians feel about a U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding meant to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, setting up negotiations on nuclear issues and U.S. sanctions.17 Jun 2026 · 10 min · 3 chapters
A controversial resort project in Albania linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka TrumpThe episode of NPR’s State of the World covers a controversial luxury resort project on Albania’s Adriatic coast tied to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.16 Jun 2026 · 8 min · 5 chapters
Ebola outbreak strains health system in eastern CongoNPR State of the World reports from Bunia, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on the Ebola outbreak’s strain on the local health system—over 800 confirmed cases and nearly 200 deaths, with…15 Jun 2026 · 5 min · 4 chapters
Ukraine’s innovative use of ground drones on the battlefieldThe episode explains Ukraine’s battlefield innovation using unmanned ground robots (“land robots”) controlled by soldiers, as part of a broader drone-driven shift in the war against Russia.12 Jun 2026 · 8 min · 4 chapters
The World Cup gets underwayThe 2026 World Cup kicks off across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico (48 teams, 104 matches), with politics and immigration tensions marring the “North American unity” pitch.11 Jun 2026 · 8 min · 5 chapters
Why is the World at War?Why the world is at war, based on a 2025 report by the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) tracking armed conflicts, state-on-state wars, and one-sided violence against civilians.10 Jun 2026 · 7 min · 2 chapters
The relationship between China and North KoreaThe episode explains what Xi Jinping’s first North Korea visit in nearly seven years signals for China–North Korea relations amid North Korea’s growing ties with Russia.9 Jun 2026 · 6 min · 4 chapters
As Mexico hosts the World Cup, families of the disappeared keep searchingMexico’s World Cup celebrations unfold alongside a disappearance crisis tied to organized crime, with families in Guadalajara and Jalisco continuing weekly searches despite government removal of…8 Jun 2026 · 10 min · 7 chapters
How oil is finding its way around the Strait of HormuzThe episode explains how oil exports and other cargo are being rerouted because ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is nearly halted amid conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel.5 Jun 2026 · 5 min · 3 chapters
Colombia’s soccer jersey controversy; Trump’s refugee policyThe episode covers two international U.S.-linked stories: Colombia’s World Cup jersey controversy and debates over Trump’s revamped U.S. refugee policy.4 Jun 2026 · 7 min · 3 chapters
Internet returns to Iran; a seaside town that witnessed the warThe episode covers two international stories: Iran’s internet blackout ending after a three-month shutdown tied to the February U.S.-Israel war, and a deadly U.S.3 Jun 2026 · 9 min · 3 chapters
The Indonesian islands divided over nickel miningNickel mining in Indonesia’s Raja Ampat islands (West Papua) is dividing locals between economic growth and protecting fishing/tourism; conflict escalated after government revoked mining licenses.2 Jun 2026 · 6 min · 5 chapters
The future of land Israel has seized from neighborsThe episode examines Israel’s expanding control of land seized from neighbors during the war, focusing on “security buffer zones” in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria and whether some Israelis want permanent…1 Jun 2026 · 8 min · 6 chapters
War Worsens Economic Pain in Sri LankaThe episode explains how the war between Iran and the US is worsening economic pain in Sri Lanka, thousands of miles away.29 May 2026 · 6 min · 5 chapters
The struggle to contain EbolaThis episode includes two segments. First, NPR Politics Podcast discusses Texas stakes after a senior U.S.28 May 2026 · 5 min · 3 chapters
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers speed up land grab from PalestiniansThe episode is about Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank accelerating land grabs from Palestinian farmers, especially since the Gaza war.27 May 2026 · 6 min · 4 chapters
Ecuadorian fishermen say they were attacked at sea by a U.S. vesselThe episode reports on Ecuadorian fishermen who say a U.S.-flagged vessel attacked them at sea, destroying their boats and using drones. It places the claims amid more than 50 U.S.26 May 2026 · 10 min · 5 chapters
The foreign fighters from China that played a key role in Syria’s revolutionThe episode follows NPR reporter Emily Fang’s reporting on Uyghur fighters from China who went to Syria’s civil war.22 May 2026 · 16 min · 9 chapters
British beavers back from extinction to fight floodsBritain’s climate-driven flooding and how reintroduced beavers act as “anti-flood engineers” by building dams and creating wetlands that hold water and reduce downstream flood risk.21 May 2026 · 8 min · 4 chapters
Ebola outbreaks past and presentEbola outbreaks past and present, focusing on a new DRC outbreak and how U.S. support affected the 2014 West Africa crisis.20 May 2026 · 8 min · 3 chapters
Cuba runs out of oil; surprising terminology changes at the State DepartmentThe episode covers two international stories. First, Cuba’s government says it has run out of oil after a U.S. energy blockade began in January.19 May 2026 · 9 min · 4 chapters