State of the World from NPR

Israel and Hamas have agreed on the "first phase" of a Gaza ceasefire deal, raising the possibility that the war may now be over. We hear from two of our correspondents in the region who have covered the entire war about the details in the plan and reactions to the announcement in Israel and in Gaza. And an interview with a Israeli man whose cousin’s remains are still in Gaz...

We continue our look at the ramifications of the two years of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. We go to southern Lebanon where demolitions and attacks on towns near the boarder with Israel continue even after a cease-fire between the two countries was put in place.  

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On October 7, 2023, a surprise attack from Hamas-led militants in Gaza became the deadliest day in Israeli history. Israel’s ensuing war in Gaza has been the deadliest and most destructive Palestinians have ever endured. We look at the heavy human costs born by Israelis and Palestinians over the last two years. 

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France’s prime minister resigns with his government having been in power for only 18 hours. The country has had five prime ministers in two years, and the political crisis facing President Emmanuel Macron and a divided parliament is deepening. This uncertainty is having an effect on the European Union’s second-largest economy. Our correspondent in Paris explains the situati...

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.

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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.

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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 co...

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.

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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.

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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 futur...

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 detention or 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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.  

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