Even as the war in Gaza is still on-going, there are calls from inside Israel's right-wing government for a permanent occupation of the Palestinian territory and to allow Jewish settlements there. While the Prime Minister says this is not the government's policy, some say the military's latest moves make it possible. Our correspondent tells us more from the Israel-Gaza border. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

More than a fifth of Lebanon's population is now displaced, mostly fleeing from the country's south as Israel carries out airstrikes against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah there. With so many people out of their homes, they're taking refuge anywhere they can, including in one of Beirut's most popular nightclubs. Our reporter in Lebanon introduces us to some of the displaced. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The former Soviet republic of Moldova narrowly passed a referendum to pursue membership in the European Union. That puts it at odds with Russia, which is accused of meddling in the election. Our correspondent in Moscow tells us what the vote could mean. And we go to the bar in Paris that for over a century has held a U.S. presidential straw poll that is usually accurate.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

NPR's Eyder Peralta takes us to Dahieh, a stronghold of Hezbollah, and an important symbol in the war. This vibrant district of Beirut is hollowed out by weeks of Israeli attacks.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Yahya Sinwar was the mastermind of the October 7th attack on Israel that lead to the war in Gaza. Israel says its forces killed him in an operation in Gaza. We'll hear reaction to his death, more about who he was, and how his killing might affect the future of the war. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Biden administration has urged Israel to conduct credible, transparent investigations into the Americans' deaths, so far Israel has not prosecuted anyone. We hear from families of those killed, and a member of congress, who think the U.S. Justice Department should be doing more.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Norway is the largest exporter of salmon in the world. And while some of those fish are wild-caught, many are raised in "fish farms"- large cylindrical pens made of nylon in the open water. Sometimes these farmed fish escape, mixing with the local population and causing ecological issues. We see farmed fish in a Norwegian fjord and hear about potential solutions to the problem.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Britain has closed it's last coal-fired power plant, making the country that pioneered coal power, the first to give it up in favor of cleaner options. We hear about the transition. And a small town in Wales has become the unlikely site of a world-renowned Elvis festival.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Raneem Hijazi was eight months pregnant when an Israeli airstrike on her apartment in Gaza buried her in rubble, killing eight family members including her young son. Hijazi survived and gave birth that day to a healthy baby girl. But then she was separated from her newborn for months. We hear the story of their difficult time apart.Listen to a special episode featuring more stories of lives changed since last October 7th, in our podcast feed.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sudan's war has displaced more than 10 million people and half the country faces starvations. The country's medical services have collapsed leaving a patchwork of charities, local groups and the Sudanese diaspora to try to provide what health care they can. NPR's Africa correspondent takes us to one of the few remaining hospitals, near the Sudanese capital.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Just over a week ago, the Israeli military sent ground troops into Lebanon to push the militant group Hezbollah back from the border. Our correspondent got as close a look at this invasion as possible, from a town ten miles from the border. He tells us what he saw.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A year ago, a Hamas-led attack on Israel caused a horrific loss of life, started a war and now the aftermath threatens to further destabilize the region. In that attack, five of Abby Onn's family members were taken hostage. Two were killed, two were released, one remains in captivity. We hear how she and her family are marking the occasion and keeping hope that their final family member will be returned safe. Listen to a special episode featuring stories of lives changed since last October 7th, in our podcast feed.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The October 7th Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza has changed the course of geopolitics and will have far reaching consequences for the world. The events have also upended the lives of countless individuals. Our team of reporters in the region bring us stories of lives changed in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists around the world. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Fighting between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group have displaced some 12 million people in one of Africa's biggest countries. Our correspondent travels to Sudan and gives us a glimpse of the devastation the war has caused.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As China celebrates 75 years of Communist Party rule, there is a fight over who gets to tell the history of those years. The party would prefer to make sure the story is a positive one and is exerting power to control that narrative. One high profile example of that is playing out far away, in California.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Iran launched long-range missiles against Israel, just hours after Israeli forces launched a ground offensive into southern Lebanon against Iran's main proxy, Hezbollah. The dramatic escalation is raising fears of an all-out war in the Middle East. We hear from two NPR correspondents in the region. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel began a series of attacks against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah with pagers and walkie talkies that exploded. They then launched airstrikes targeting the group's leadership. One strike killed Hezbollah's leader of over thirty years, Hassan Nasrallah. The attacks are an effort to prevent Hezbollah from continuing to fire rockets at northern Israel, which it has been doing since the war in Gaza began. Israel's airstrikes are continuing to widen and their military is massing at the border, pointing to a possible ground invasion. We'll hear from our correspondent in Beirut about the feeling on the ground there. We also hear about whether and how Iran might respond. Iran had been arming Hezbollah to counter Israel, and the weakening of the group is a blow to an important proxy of Iran's. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Hackney area of East London is burgeoning with art galleries and cafes. But the neighborhood, like many places that are appealing to young professionals, is rapidly losing families with children. And some experts say it's a bad sign for the future. We go to Hackney to understand the problem.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza approaches the one year mark. Violence between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon continues to escalate. And there are fears that Iran will get deeply involved with these conflicts. In a volatile moment in the region, Jordan balances a unique set of relationships with all these countries. We hear from Ayman Safadi, who is Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, about what he thinks it will take to end the conflicts. For more coverage of differing views on these conflicts, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As the war in Ukraine drags on, the U.S. military is keeping a close eye on how drones are changing the conflict. They are used by both Russia and Ukraine to watch troop movements, identify targets and drop bombs. We go to the woods of Louisiana to see what lessons the U.S. Army is incorporating into its training and understand what it might mean for future wars.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Russia, polls consistently show support for the war in Ukraine somewhere around 70%. But a recent independent study of Russians' opinions indicates the picture is more complex. We hear more from our correspondent in Moscow. And in Ukraine, couples who are separated by the war can now propose and get married online over an app. The service is so popular there is a months-long wait for virtual ceremonies.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon kill over 350 and injure more than 1,000. The attacks were mostly in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah militants have been trading fire across the border with Israel since the war in Gaza began. Our correspondent is there in the south of Lebanon where civilians are fleeing the attacks any way they can.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A building in a residential neighborhood in Beirut was struck by Israel, killing a senior commander with the militant group Hezbollah and ten other fighters, according to the Israeli military. It was the deadliest attack in Beirut in nearly two decades and it comes in the same week Hezbollah militants were targeted by Israel with thousands of exploding pagers and radios. We go to the scene of the strike in Beirut.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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. And Seoul, South Korea is such a massive city, residents looking to experience nature can face a long journey to reach the countryside. As a result, the city's parks are catering to urban campers who want to sleep outdoors closer to home. We meet some of them.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Last month in Bangladesh, street protests grew into a movement that eventually ended the rule of the autocratic prime minister. Now the country is picking up the pieces and charting a new way forward. We board a double-decker bus in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, to talk to Bangladeshis about the future.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

There is a contentious fight in Mexico right now over constitutional reforms that would remake the judiciary. Opponents say the changes would weaken the judiciary's independence, but Mexicans elected a government with a super-majority, making these changes possible. Our correspondent in Mexico asks: in a democracy, what if the majority is wrong?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel mourns six hostages, who were captured during the October 7th attacks by Hamas, and found by the Israeli military in Gaza, recently killed. We go to the funeral of one of the hostages, in Jerusalem. And in Gaza, nearly all residents have been displaced multiple times by evacuation orders from the Israeli military, into so-called humanitarian safe zones. We get a glimpse of what life is like in these overcrowded areas. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In the summer of 1944, as American and Allied soldiers celebrated the liberation of France from the Nazis, one French family experienced a trauma that would be felt for generations. A murder and sexual assault so traumatic they are only now coming to terms with it, 80 years later. And this wasn't an isolated incident. We hear their story.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As the war drags on, families of hostages who have been held in Gaza for nearly eleven months are becoming increasingly frustrated and angry. Some of them release some of their pain by yelling their loved ones names into Gaza, in hopes of being heard. And the U.S. pressures Israel to change the way it evacuates civilians from parts of Gaza, amid fears of their safety. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Just like in the U.S., Amazon is a big e-commerce presence in India. And also like the U.S., Amazon's fulfillment centers in India have been the subject of complaints of unsafe conditions for workers. To understand what those conditions are like, we hear from some Amazon warehouse workers. Disclosure: Amazon is among NPR's financial supports and pays to distribute some NPR content. NPR covers the company independently as we cover everything else.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On Wednesday Israel launched raids into the Occupied West Bank, they say to root out Hamas militants and prevent another attack like the one that occurred on October 7th. We hear the latest on those raids. And Israelis who believe the West Bank should be Israeli territory have significantly increased settlement activity since the war in Gaza started. Our correspondent visits some of the outposts.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The island nation of Palau is at the center of tensions between the U.S., China, and Taiwan. We go there to see what the competition between superpowers looks like on the ground.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

At one time, in the 1970's, Watford Football Club in England was at the bottom of the rankings. Then rock superstar Elton John purchased the team and turned their fortunes around. Our London correspondent tells us the tale of the failing soccer club and the rock star. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Work continues towards finding a path to a ceasefire in Gaza. U.S. mediators continue to communicate optimism, while the two sides, Israel and Hamas, seem to downplay the idea that progress is being made on their remaining differences. We hear about one major sticking point. Control of a strip of land in southern Gaza called the Philadelphi Corridor. And the bodies of six Israeli hostages taken captive on October 7th were recovered this week. At funerals we hear friends and family express anger at the Israeli government for not doing enough to bring their loved ones home alive. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In an unprecedented step, the U.S. has imposed sanctions in recent months on about a dozen Israelis who it says have taken violent action against Palestinians and posed obstacles to peace. We hear from one Israeli who the U.S. has taken action against.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Some Ukrainians are fleeing an unpopular conscription drive for troops. Ukrainian guards are on their trail. NPR's Joanna Kakissis takes us to one escape route along a river in Western Ukraine.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The world needs lithium to transition to a lower carbon future. The mineral is used in batteries, such as those found in electric vehicles. But extracting lithium can create huge environmental damage. We go to Serbia, where a proposed lithium mine is fueling social unrest.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Some 12 million people are displaced in Sudan as the military government battles a powerful paramilitary group. There is acute hunger and risk of famine for many. Peace talks hoping to resolve the crisis are being held in Geneva this week. We hear about the chances that those talks will succeed and details about conditions on the ground in Sudan.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ukraine's attack into Russian territory surprised many. Including, it would seem, the Russians themselves. But what are the strategic goals Ukraine is hoping to achieve with this move? We hear from a retired U.S. lieutenant general.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Earlier this month a youth-led movement helped topple the government of an autocratic prime minister in Bangladesh. Now students sweep broken glass, direct traffic, and join the government. But can they rebuild a country? We go to the streets of Dhaka.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Following a disputed election in Venezuela, autocratic president Nicolàs Maduro is cracking down on the opposition. Thousands have been arrested and lawmakers are threatening social media sites and planning to close down civic groups. We hear from opponents of Maduro.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In a rare interview with a Hamas leader our correspondent asks about the attacks of October 7th and the aftermath. He says the group has no regrets about launching the operation, but that mistakes were made.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Last week, in surprise move, Ukraine sent it's military into Russian territory. And so far the Russians have been struggling to mount a defense and kick them out. We hear what is known about the operation from our correspondent in Kyiv.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ukraine has competing needs from its military aged population. It needs many of them to join the military to fight the Russian invasion. But it also needs them in the workforce, to keep the economy going so it can afford to pay for the war effort. As our reporter in Kyiv tells us, the most recent conscription law has exacerbated the problem.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

For over a week race riots have broken out in the United Kingdom, mostly in smaller, poorer, less diverse cities. The violence has been stoked by misinformation and disinformation online. Our reporter travels to one of the places that saw mob violence to understand why it's happening.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A popular book and TV series in Europe imagines the straight-laced former German chancellor Angela Merkel solving crimes in her retirement. We unpack the premise's popularity. And an American has been jailed in Nigeria over a dispute the country has with the crypto-currency exchange Binance. Some say the man is effectively being held hostage.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This week the prime minister of Bangladesh fled the country by helicopter, forced out by a protest movement that started peacefully but became violent. We hear from our correspondent about the events that lead to this dramatic change in government. And we hear reaction from a journalist who had been jailed 6 years ago for criticizing that government.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Iran has vowed to strike Israel following the assassination of a Hamas leader on Iran's soil. We hear from Israelis watching and waiting as they know an attack is coming but the don't know when. And in the West Bank, the war between Israel and Hamas has sparked an increase in Palestinian men wanting to die fighting Israeli occupation. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Nigeria, even two meals a day is becoming unaffordable to many. Demonstrators are protesting food inflation of more than 40 percent, and fuel costs that have tripled. And in China, live-streamers digitally clone themselves, raising questions about the future of labor in the age of A.I.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Hezbollah and Hamas bury their slain leaders. And Venezuelan security forces arrest protesters of last weekend's presidential election.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Venezuelans continue to protest Sunday's disputed election in which President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory. The opposition says it has evidence that their candidate won. And in China, an informal social media poll favors one candidate for the US presidency.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

People find new ways to grow food after severe drought in some regions of Ethiopia.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Druze community of the Golan Heights mourns after a weekend rocket strike on a soccer field kills 12 children. The attack raises questions about the Druze identity— an Arab minority group that can claim Israeli citizenship.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Venezuela's presidential elections, incumbent Nicholas Maduro fights a movement against him lead by Maria Corina Machado, who's been barred from the race. In Russia, Russian American journalist, Alsu Kurmasheva, is sentenced to prison in a case similar to that of jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Olympic Opening Ceremonies are typically held in stadiums. For the 2024 Games, Paris is taking the event to the heart of the city, in and along the River Seine. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley has this preview.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Like many other countries, South Koreans are turning away from organized religions. But DJ Yoon Seong-ho is using his beats to attract new followers to his Buddhist faith.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A play about witches is selling out in Ukraine's capital Kyiv. And even though the plot takes place centuries ago, the play's takeaways and parallels to today resonate with Ukrainians. We hear from actors and audience members.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison on charges of espionage. His employer and the U.S. government have said he is innocent and the trial is a sham. We hear the latest from Moscow and reaction from the U.S.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Artificial Intelligence makes it possible to resurrect deceased loved-ones in the form of a very convincing video and audio imitation. Some companies in China are beginning to provide this as a service. We hear about the practice and the ethical questions it raisesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Kenya, protests that began in response to tax increases have grown into a movement demanding the president's resignation. Scores of protestors have gone missing since the anti-government protests began a month ago. Human rights groups fear that the security forces are behind these disappearances. We hear from young protestors.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ever since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7th, Israel had detained thousands of Palestinians from Gaza. We hear the story of one radiologist who says he endured beatings and mistreatment during seven months in Israeli detention. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Every five years China's Communist Party holds a meeting in secret called the "third plenum". And while it may sound arcane, there are a lot of important policy decisions that have come out of this meeting. Our correspondent in Beijing tells us what is at stake for the meeting this week.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The United States Justice Department says it has foiled at least four assassination plots sponsored by foreign governments on U.S. soil. One of the targets of those assassination attempts is Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and activist who Iran allegedly tried to have killed in New York. We hear how knowing she is at such risk has turned Alinejad's life upside down.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In the latest escalation of tensions between the two, China seized a fishing vessel from Taiwan while it was in Taiwanese territorial waters. This is seen as Beijing sending a message that it plans to assert more control over Taiwan, which China claims as it's own. Our correspondent travels to a small Taiwanese island near where the boat was seized and finds residents who know they would be on the front line of any future military action that could erupt between China and Taiwan.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Israeli hostages taken during the October 7th attacks and held in Gaza are a major sticking point in cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. A spokesperson for Hamas tells NPR not all those hostages are being held by his organization, some are being held by families in Gaza. And in Israel, what Gaza will look like after major combat operations end is the subject of fierce debate, with military and political leaders so far failing to agree. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We hear from an American who moved to Israel before the October 7th attacks and has served in the Israeli army in Gaza. Over a series of conversations with NPR, he wrestles with the war, his role there, and how much more he can give. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In May, Russia was able to make significant advances in northeastern Ukraine as military aid from the U.S. and elsewhere was stalled. And while the aid eventually did reach the front lines, tempering Russian gains, the damage is still deeply felt in one small Ukrainian community. Our correspondent takes is to the town near the front line.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The U.K. has a new government with a new prime minister as Sir Keir Starmer's Labour party sweeps to power in an historic election. The vote was a stunning rebuke of the Conservative Party's 14 years in power.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Brazil has the biggest— and many say the best— team of surfers heading to the Olympics in Paris. Brazilian surfers are leading competitions and winning fans over in this soccer dominated country.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

NPR's Leila Fadel asks Haiti's interim prime minister, Garry Conille, about his mandate to lift Haiti out of violence and pave the way for electionsLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A centrist human rights lawyer with working class roots, Keir Starmer is poised to be the first Labour leader to win a U.K. election in nearly 20 years.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Five years after mass protests rocked Hong Kong, and were crushed by the government, people who took part are downsizing their dreams and ambitions — but keeping a small flame of hope alive.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and many western governments sought to isolate Russia politically and economically through sanctions. But Russia insists it still has plenty of friends in the world. Our Moscow correspondent went to meet some of them at an economic forum in Saint Petersburg.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The first 400 Kenyan police arrived in Haiti this week, part of a multinational force that will attempt to bring stability back the country. Gangs control most of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. But the Kenyan police arrived in Haiti as the same police force was firing on protesters in Kenya's capital, Nairobi. We hear about what is happening both in Haiti and in Kenya.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Brazil is experiencing one of the wettest rainy seasons on record. On Brazil's southern coast, five months of rain fell in 15 days. Flooding lead to over a hundred deaths and over 400,000 people displaced. With more extreme weather expected due to climate change, officials in Brazil are considering relocating whole towns, adding to a growing global phenomenon of people becoming "climate refugees". Carrie Kahn introduces us to some of them in southern Brazil. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The war between two armed groups in Sudan has been going on for over a year and has engulfed much of the country. About 12 million people are internally displaced, there is a potential for famine in many parts of the country and there are again fears of genocide in Darfur. The International Rescue Committee has put Sudan at the top of their emergency watchlist and their report says that the international community has failed in Sudan. We talk to the IRC country director about the dire situation.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

France will hold national elections soon and it appears the far right could take political power for the first time since World War II. This would represent a huge political shift in France. We hear from our correspondent in Paris. And the price of gold shot up this spring, due in large part to increased demand for the precious metal in China. We find out what is driving that demand. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After a tumultuous few years in British politics, with Brexit and multiple prime ministers, one lasting less than two months, U.K. voters will go to the polls on July 4th. Many in Britain say their country feels broken. Our correspondent in London takes a look at what the U.K.'s next prime minister will inherit.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A growing number of children in the U.S. are being targeted in sextortion schemes— a scam in which a cybercriminal obtains and then threatens to release nude or sexually compromising photos, blackmailing victims for a ransom. And sadly dozens of young victims have died by suicide in the last few years. Cybercriminals are often based abroad and it is a particular problem in Nigeria. Our correspondent in Lagos, Nigeria tells us about the issue, about the tragic case of one 17 year-old victim who took his own life, and about what the FBI is doing to combat the problem. If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, please get support. In the U.S. you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Today we bring you an episode from NPR's science podcast Short Wave about how Israel is using facial recognition software to track Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. And what the proliferation of this technology means for privacy around the world.You can find more Short Wave episodes here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a two-day state visit to North Korea meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. We explore how the two countries might cooperate, with NPR's correspondents in Moscow and Seoul.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel has announced a daily pause in fighting in an effort to allow more food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza. But some are criticizing the move. We go to the border crossing. And in London, our correspondent descends beneath the streets in search of the inspiration behind the world's most famous secret agent.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In India, the world's largest democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently won a third term in office. While he is clearly popular, during his time in power there has also been brutal repression of dissent. We examine a major scandal that unfolded in the run-up to the previous election, five years ago, and examine what it means for the health of Indian democracy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Authorities in Venezuela are using all manner of tricks to try to ensure President Nicholas Maduro is reelected next month. However, as we hear, it seems that the stunts and intimidation are not working. And in China, the number of American's studying abroad is increasing, but is nowhere near pre-COVID levels. We look at why.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

There are fears of a second full-on war igniting on Israel's northern border. Hezbollah, the group based in Lebanon and backed by Iran, has been trading fire with Israeli forces across the Israel-Lebanon border since Israel's conflict with Hamas began last October. Those exchanges of fire have hit new peaks recently. We hear from two NPR correspondents who each visited a side of that border.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank is increasing. We hear from Palestinians there who are watching events in Gaza with concern. And we hear about the past and current efforts to get Palestinians a state of their own.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In European Parliamentary elections, 27 countries went to the polls and handed right-wing parties big gains. And in a surprising move, the president of France dissolved the country's parliament and called elections for the summer. We'll hear analysis of what this means for Europe and reaction from stunned French voters.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Chef Thierry Marx grew up in a gritty Parisian neighborhood, and is now helping others from disadvantaged backgrounds learn to cook in the restaurant industry. And far-right, anti-establishment conservative Nigel Farage throws a wrench into U.K. elections.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A father in Gaza tries to save his sick son as the family flees Israeli bombs, but their quest for treatment and the baby's skeletal frame reveal malnourishment is only part of the story.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Musicians in Kharkiv, Ukraine refuse to cancel the city's music festival, despite weeks of Russian strikes. And American veterans of the Normandy invasion travel to France to mark the anniversary of D-Day.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third win is rare, but is tempered by his party's loss of a parliamentary majority.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

For the first time since their country became a republic more than two hundred years ago, Mexicans have elected a woman as president. And Ukraine's center for book publishing survives a punishing Russian bombardment.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Ukrainian border town of Krasnopillia, in the country's northeast, is near the only open checkpoint between Ukraine and Russia. When Ukrainians are freed from Russian captivity, or when the bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers are returned, they usually come through the town. Our correspondent visited and found the returning countrymen are always welcomed by residents and the staff from the town's scrappy local newspaper.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Nearly eight months ago, Israel reacted to the attacks of October 7th by invading Gaza with the goal of destroying Hamas. Our correspondent in Tel Aviv examines how close they are to achieving that goal but looking at Hamas' capability on three fronts: on the battlefield, in continuing to govern and controlling the narrative. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Taiwan has developed a large language model artificial intelligence chat bot to compete with a product from China because of fears regarding national security. And North Korea sends garbage-filled balloons over the border into South Korea, escalating a long-standing balloon battle between the Koreas. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel has expanded its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This comes after an Israeli airstrike on Sunday near a displaced persons camp started a fire killing at least 45 people and injuring hundreds more. We hear details from our correspondent in Tel Aviv. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Russia's war in Ukraine is deepening divisions across Europe. One example is the Baltic nation of Latvia, formerly part of the Soviet Union. One third of those living in Latvia are Russian speaking and now some elderly residents, who may have lived there for decades, are being forced to prove their loyalty or leave.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Iran laid the body of President Ebrahim Raisi to rest, after he died in a helicopter crash. Though thousands attended funeral ceremonies, we hear from Iranians who say he won't be remembered fondly. And in South Korea, a propaganda video from North Korea is banned after it goes viral on TikTok.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After a long decline of the government in Haiti, gangs have seized complete control. A multi-national force is being sent to Haiti to restore the government to power, but their success is not assured. We go to Port-au-Prince, Haiti to see the challenges this international mission will face.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A new president in Taiwan was inaugurated this week. Lai Ching-te will now lead a Taiwan that is divided politically on many issues, including on how to confront China. We'll hear from our correspondent in Taipei and from some young Taiwanese preparing for mandatory military service.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has announced he will seek arrest warrants for leaders of Hamas and of Israel for war crimes in Gaza. The U.S. has denounced the possible prosecution of Israeli leaders. We get response from a minister in Israel's government.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Iran's president, foreign minister and other officials have died in a helicopter crash. President Raisi was the top elected official in Iran and seen as a possible successor to the Supreme Leader, who has has ultimate power over the government. We'll hear the details from Iran and analysis of what happen next in Iran's government.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ckunsa, an indigenous language in Chile, was declared dead 70 years ago. But groups in northern Chile are successfully reviving the language and teaching it to a new generation.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

While Israel's government has strongly rejected the idea that the International Criminal Court could prosecute Israeli's accused of war crimes in Gaza, many in Israel say the military doesn't do an adequate job holding it's own soldiers accountable. Our correspondent looks into how the Israeli military polices itself. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

China, the country that once feared overpopulation, is now experiencing a falling birthrate. The government is encouraging its citizens to have children. We visit a "marriage market" where hopeful young people are looking for a match.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Unexploded bombs and other ordinance are hidden throughout Gaza posing a threat to civilians now and they will continue to potentially kill long after the war is over. We hear about a victim of one of these munitions and of the challenges of removing such threats as civilians are fleeing fighting.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Russia launched a surprise new offensive in northeast Ukraine, near the second largest city of Kharkiv. Russian troops are continuing to advance, we get the latest from our Ukraine correspondent. And in another development in that war, Russia's President Putin replaced the country's defense minister. We get context on both events from a retired U.S. Lieutenant Colonel who used to oversee European affairs at the National Security council.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Prabowo Subianto will become the president of Indonesia in the Fall. Critics worry that the former general under a previous authoritarian government will roll back democracy. That presents a challenge for the U.S., which once trained and supported Prabowo, then subsequently banned him from entering the U.S. for twenty years. And a TV song contest in Venezuela in which every song is about the authoritarian president.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ukraine uncovers what they say was a sophisticated network of spies working with Russia to kill President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top officials. And in Russia, during a celebration marking the USSR's victory over Germany in World War II, Russia's president again drew parallels between that fight against fascism and the war in Ukraine. We hear from Russians who attended the event. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Scams that target people via direct message and texts in an effort to steal money have become pervasive. But the scammer on the other end of the communication might be a victim too, in a human-trafficking scheme. We hear the story of one such victim.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mexico's general election will be held at the beginning of June and it will mark the end of a campaign season of record violence. Some thirty candidates have been assassinated in the past month. Our reporter goes to one of Mexico's most violent towns to talk to candidates who are brave enough to run for office. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Increasingly, Israelis and Palestinians are experiencing the war in Gaza in completely different ways. Critics charge Israeli media outlets with failing to cover the extent of civilian suffering in Gaza. And Palestinian news media is accused of downplaying the level of violence committed in the October 7th attacks on Israel. We hear from news consumers and journalists on both sides. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As protests over the Israel Hamas war roil college campuses across the U.S., similar protests are happening elsewhere in the world. We hear from some of them. And a quirky festival in Colombia celebrates the donkey.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After months of delay in Congress, Ukraine is finally receiving the U.S. military aid it says is crucial in winning its fight against Russia. But after two years of war, what it means to win is increasingly complicated. We hear about the state of the conflict from our correspondent in Kyiv and our Pentagon correspondent.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

European countries that border Russia are concerned that they'll be invaded next if an emboldened Russia is successful in Ukraine, even though they're members of the NATO alliance. We go to the Baltic nation of Estonia and hear from people who are making preparations in case of invasion.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel has been public with it's plan to conduct an assault on the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza, absent a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Such a military operation could be catastrophic for more than a million Palestinian civilians there, many having fled there from fighting elsewhere in Gaza. We hear the voices of people who are weighing the risks of staying and wondering where they can go. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We take a look at China's economy as it has emerged from the pandemic experiencing slower growth than in years past. We hear that economic ties between the U.S. and China have loosened and that high unemployment among young people has mean far less optimism about the future.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Germany might be known for precision technology, but the government and many businesses still rely on that darling of the 90's— the fax machine! However, those chirpy, screeching tones may give way to modern technology by this summer. At issue is bureaucracy that some say is hurting the German economy. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Newly approved military aid package goes to Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel. We'll hear about what its impact on the battlefield will be. And in London, royal horses get loose during rush hour. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As Israel's war against Hamas continues, children in Gaza are suffering. According to the United Nations, more than 25,000 children have been killed or injured since October. That's one child every ten minutes. We hear about one of those children, a twelve year-old boy injured in Gaza. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Two stories of how our reliance on GPS becomes problematic in regions experiencing war. In Ukraine, the power grid's use of GPS becomes a liability. And in the Middle East today, GPS "spoofing" causes a variety of issues from plane navigation to internet dating.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The U.S. Congress is poised to finally approve a package of aid to Ukraine worth over $60 billion, with the House having approved the funds on Saturday. The Ukrainian prime minister was in Washington to urge for the aid to be passed and explains why Americans should continue to assist in his country's war effort.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel and Iran have been trading attacks on each other for a week including, for the first time, attacks on each other's territory. Will Israel's latest retaliation be the end of this wave of hostilities, or will Iranian response bring the long-standing enemies closer to all-out war? We hear from NPR's national security correspondent and our correspondent in Israel. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

H-Pop is the Indian popular music and poetry of Hindu nationalism. But critics worry that the music is spreading hate and encourages violence against Muslims.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ultra-Orthodox Israelis have long been exempt from compulsory military service. But the October 7th attack by Hamas and Israel's subsequent military response have brought forward calls for change. The government's decision on whether to end the exemption has major political consequences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

More than 8 million people have been displaced in Sudan, according to the United Nations. A powerful paramilitary group has been fighting the Sudanese army for over a year. We hear from a Sudanese poet, who is trying to draw attention to the overlooked conflict in her country.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Following the attack of more than 300 weaponized drones and missiles launched by Iran at Israel, the Israeli prime minster is getting pressure from the U.S. for Israel to be measured in its response, while some domestic politicians are demanding a strong reaction. Our correspondent in Tel Aviv gives us the latest. And Jordan was part of the success in shooting down the majority of projectiles bound for Israel. We hear what the reaction has been in that country where 60 percent of the population is of Palestinian origin.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It has been three decades since the East African country of Rwanda experienced a genocide that changed the country and shocked the world. We look at the state of their society today.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ownership of the Spratly Islands are in dispute. This has been the case for decades, but tensions have been raised recently as China has tried to expand its claims in the remote area. We get a rare glimpse of one of the islands that has a Filipino community living on it.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

While the ideological gender gap among young people is widening across the developed world, it is particularly alarming in South Korea. Experts are concerned about what it means for the country's future. Our reporter in Seoul examines the phenomenon. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Understandably, a movie about the man who steered the development of atomic bombs is seen differently in a country where some 200,000 people were killed by those bombs. "Oppenheimer" opened in Japan 8 months after premiering in the U.S. Our reporter talks to movie goers in Nagasaki, Japan.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Aviva Siegel was among the more than 200 Israelis taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th. She was held 51 days before being released. Her husband, Keith, who is a U.S. citizen, is still being held in Gaza. We hear about Aviva Siegel's time in captivity and her advocacy for the release of Keith and the remaining hostages. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Chinese-funded marijuana farms are popping up across the United States. Many of them exploit workers from China. We go to New Mexico, which has seen the rise of such farms and explore the reasons why this is happening.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

NATO, the alliance formed to protect Europe from the Soviet Union is marking 75 years. It the focus is still on Russia. And a controversy in France over a singer selected to perform at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, raises questions about French identity.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel's military laid siege to Gaza's largest medical complex for two weeks because, they said, Hamas fighters had regrouped inside. Following the Israeli withdrawal from the hospital, Palestinians were able to get a glimpse of the results of the raid. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo is increasing and has caused over a million people to flee their homes. It is threatening to become a regional war. Many of the displaced end up next door in Rwanda and we hear about the conflict from some Congolese in a refugee camp.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sderot, Israel, near the border with Gaza, was the biggest city attack by Hamas on October 7th. At the beginning of the war, Israel evacuated nearly everyone. Our correspondent visits Sderot and finds that people are returning. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

"Blossoms Shanghai" is A 30-part TV series directed by acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai, set in the 1990's that has become a huge hit in China. Our China correspondent tells us the nostalgia unleashed by the show tells us a lot about how people in China are feeling these days.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We hear the story of an Israeli man taken captive by Hamas on October 7th. He was freed by Israeli special forces 129 days later and talks about his ordeal. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Haiti is the middle of a crisis and is without a government as gangs in Port-au-Prince prevent one. But some parts of Haiti have lived without a functioning government for so long they cannot remember what it's like to have one. Our reporter in Haiti takes us to one such village.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We hear from a U.N. spokesperson about the conditions for civilians he saw in Gaza. We also speak to an Israeli government minister about the level of humanitarian aid entering Gaza and about why a delegation to the U.S. was cancelled over a vote at the U.N. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Islamic insurgents and other heavily armed groups have increasingly turned to kidnapping to get money. They abduct individuals, families and even large groups and then demand to be paid to let them go. We hear the story of one family, whose life has been turned upside down by a kidnapping.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We go to a town in Eastern Ukraine that is close to the front lines and under constant fire. Russians are advancing in Eastern Ukraine as Ukrainian forces run low on ammunition and weapons.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We hear what life is like for three families in northern Gaza where finding food and water is a struggle and hundreds of thousands of people are facing starvation. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Cuba, protests over the weekend revealed frustrations over shortages of food and electricity as the country confronts a serious economic crisis. And the World Happiness Report tells of interesting differences in happiness between generations. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists around the world. Visit plus.npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We go to two places where China has been exerting control. In Hong Kong, the government finally passed national security laws that are seen by critics as eroding civil liberties. In the Philippines, China's attempts to expand its territorial waters are being met with increasingly fiery rhetoric from senior officials.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin was reelected with a reported 87% of the vote. The US government said the election was neither free nor fair. Our correspondent in Moscow tells us about why the Kremlin wanted to be sure of a high turnout and lopsided result. And the legacy in the Middle East of a young American activist who died in Gaza 21 years ago.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The island of Ireland is divided into the Northern part, which is part of the UK and the independent Republic of Ireland to the south. But a political party is poised to take power in both places and it has pledged to make the border disappear.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Gang violence has brought fear, chaos and uncertainty to Haiti. Amidst food shortages and looting, the capital, Port-au-Prince, is experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis since the devastating earthquake in 2010. Our reporter on the border with the Dominican Republic talks to Haitians.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel says more than 1,200 Israelis were killed during the Hamas led assault on October 7th. Israel also says there were numerous instances of sexual violence perpetrated that day. This is a charge Hamas denies. To understand the difficulties in investigating the allegation, we hear about the experience of a first responder on October 7th. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Even in the face of food shortages a bakery in Gaza is making cakes for people living in tents. NPR's producer in Gaza takes us to the bakery and introduces the baker.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

When Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, the U.S. and western allies froze $300 billion dollars worth of Russian assets. Now the U.S. wants to send that money to Ukraine, but many European countries don't agree with that plan. And we take a trip to the wild, remote High Atlas Mountains in Morocco.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In this longer episode we go deep on what it's like to cover both sides of the war between Israel and Hamas. Our friends at the Embedded podcast talk to NPR's Daniel Estrin about some of the people he's reported on and how he approaches covering this difficult and divisive story.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It has been five months since the October 7th Hamas attack that was the single deadliest day for Israelis in history, prompting the deadly Israeli assault on Gaza. Our reporter in Israel brings us five ways Israelis have been changed through five months of war. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Our reporters from around the world give perspectives on what the U.S presidential election means for the countries they cover. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, European cities experienced a dramatic drop in tourism. Now that visitors have returned in force, locals have mixed feelings. Many cities rely on tourism money, but throngs of people and the demand for short-term rentals can change the very places people are clamoring to visit. We hear about how Saville, Spain is experiencing that tension.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

There are an estimated six million Palestinian refugees. Most of them are descendants of families forced to leave their homeland in 1948, during the war surrounding the establishment of Israel. They're scattered around the world and in some of the countries where they've settled, they've been stateless for generations. We go to a Palestinian community in Baghdad, Iraq. Join State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists bringing you stories from around the world. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Butter Chicken is a much-loved Indian dish, both within the country and around the world. But who can claim they invented it? That question is the subject of a lawsuit. Our reporter tries to get to the bottom of butter chicken's origin and finds out that it is a journey through India's history. You can find celebrated Indian chef Madhur Jaffrey's recipe for butter chicken here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The former Soviet republic of Georgia is seeking membership in the European Union. But that effort may be complicated by treatment of the western-leaning former president who is in jail and in poor health. His supporters say he was poisoned.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A young Instagram influencer in Gaza built a big following posting feel-good videos during years of hardship. He tried to keep the positivity in his feed after the war between Israel and Hamas started, but was then confronted with tragedy in his life.For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Abnormally low rain fall and aging infrastructure cause a severe water shortage in Mexico City. Tens of thousands rally for Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro in Sao Paolo.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

During its eight years in power, the far-right Law and Justice Party dismantled democratic institutions in Poland. Now the new government is working to restore those institutions and they're starting with the judiciary.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is marking a grim second anniversary. We hear from Ukrainians who are determined to remain in their homes, and what some Russians say about their country as it enters a third year of waging war on Ukraine.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ukraine is running out of arms. As Russian troops advance and the war grinds on, foreign aid to buy more weapons is stalled. So Ukraine is making its own. NPR's Joanna Kakissis visits the Ukrainians ramping up the manufacture of mortars, howitzers and high-tech defense weapons.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Alexei Navalny is the latest in a string of critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin to die. So what is the future of Russian opposition? We hear about the challenges Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, will face in taking a leadership role in the opposition. And an interview with Russian politician Boris Nadezhdin, who tried to run against Putin in the upcoming election, but was barred from being on the ballot.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel has stepped up security in the occupied West Bank. And with the military focused on Gaza, they're using newly formed security forces made up of Jewish settlers to provide that security. Israeli activists and Palestinians warn that members of those forces want to drive Palestinians off their land. We go to the West Bank city of Hebron to see these new security forces in action. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We hear two stories of how Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza is being felt in places very far away. In India, thousands of workers are hoping to head to Israel because of a shortage caused by security concerns. And in the UK, people are worried that global supply chains disrupted because of the war, will mean there will be a shortage of tea. For more stories from all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Alexei Navalny, frequent critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, has died in prison according to Russian authorities. Our Moscow correspondent looks at the legacy of a man who fought to free his country from corruption and authoritarianism.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We'll hear from an U.N. administrator in Gaza about what conditions are like for civilians and what funding cuts, a result of Israel's accusations of UN employees' working with Hamas, will mean for humanitarian aid in Gaza. And an unlikely connection between a graffiti artist in Dublin and a grieving mother in Gaza. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

When Ukrainian soldiers get a day or two off from the frontlines, loved ones will often take the train to nearby cities to see them. Our reporter shows us what love looks like in a time of war.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

While opioid deaths in the U.S. have soared, Portugal has been able to cut overdose deaths by 80%. We travel there and find that the different outcomes are the result of a different approach. And while you might be able to picture what Rio de Janeiro's world-famous Carnival looks like in the Samabadrome, on the outskirts of the city a very different celebration takes place.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The war in Gaza is creating tensions across the Middle East. Nowhere more so than Iraq, where Iran-backed militias are attacking US bases and forcing a dangerous confrontation. We hear about it from our correspondent in Baghdad.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Some Palestinians in Gaza express rising anger at Hamas, four months after the militant group attacked Israel, prompting a punishing bombardment.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

If all goes as planned, the work by the late composer John Cage will take over 600 years to perform. A specially rigged organ in Germany has been performing the piece since 2001, and it recently struck a new chord in the first time in two years.

We hear from three Palestinians about their hopes and fears of a rebuilt Gaza after the fighting ends. We get perspectives from an architect, a humanitarian and a musician. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates.

We hear about a kindergarten in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which has finally resumed, holding classes underground in a metro station to keep students safe from Russian attacks.

Among the vast destruction of buildings in Gaza, some historically valuable and irreplaceable sites are now in ruins. Our correspondent visited some of of these places before the war and brings us to them, then and now. To see photos of some of the places referenced in this story and for more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates.

For Gazans in crisis, a West Bank emergency call center is one of the few remaining sources of help. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates

Tensions and talk of war are escalating between North and South Korea. Our correspondent in Seoul explains why the temperature has increased and he takes us to an island near the maritime border between North and South Korea that has seen clashes in the past.

The small Gulf nation of Qatar recently announced a framework for a deal between Israel and Hamas to pause the fighting in Gaza. We sit down with the Prime Minister of Qatar to hear how soon a deal could be reached and what impact the recent killing of U.S. servicemembers has had on the negotiations. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates

Russia launches hundreds of missiles at Ukraine every month. We hear the story of one such attack, that destroyed a well-known hotel and changed the life of one young woman. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org

A source of anguish for both Israeli and Palestinian families in nearly four months of the Gaza war, is the large number of hostages and prisoners taken by each side. Thousands of family members in the dark about the fate of their loved ones. So they're trying to reach them through Israeli and Palestinian radio. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates

After the rise of K-pop and K-drama, Korean haute cuisine is also going global. We hear that it's the result of an evolution of the food, creative chefs and a touch of crafty support from the government.

There is a small but growing anti-war movement in Israel and it includes mothers of those serving in the Israeli military. We hear why they're protesting. And an American chemist's book about tea provokes a strong reaction in Britain.

We hear of the saga of the mango pineapple, an exclusive new pineapple cultivar from Taiwan that was allegedly stolen by China. It shows the economic ties between two places that are also adversaries and the incident is prompting questions about how far Beijing will go to coerce Taiwan — and who really owns the food we eat.

We look at the economic impacts caused by the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. In Israel, the call-up of military reserves has led to a severe labor shortage. In the West Bank, curtailed economic activity with Israel has taken a toll. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates.

We talk to a Russia expert who is keeping tabs on what is going on in the roughly 18% of Ukraine that Russia now controls. He says that an "administrative occupation" seeks to incorporate the people that live in those areas into Russian politics and culture. And that with U.S. and Western aid for Ukraine in doubt, there is a chance these areas could be lost for good.

In Northern India, Prime Minister Modi consecrates a temple to the Hindu god Ram. The event is meant to draw support ahead of spring elections, but it also highlights the growing rift between Hindu nationalists and Muslim communities.

Grain export is a vital part of the Ukrainian economy and Russian attacks and threats on ports have come close to shutting it down. We go to one Ukrainian port, barely used before the war, which has now become crucial.

It has been over one hundred days since the war between Israel and Hamas began with an attack on Israel October 7th, killing over 1,200 with more than two hundred Israelis taken hostage. Israel responded with a ground, air and sea offensive on Gaza that has killed thousands and displaced many more. Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas. We investigate whether, after a hundred days, Israel is any closer to that goal. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates

Taiwan held a close and closely watched election for president that has implications for the self-ruled island's relationship with China, which claims Taiwan as it's own. And Guatemala swore in a new president, the anti-corruption campaigner Bernardo Arevalo. But opponents tried to prevent the transfer of power up to the last minute. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

In Pakistan, a dolphin species that's lived in the Indus River for millions of years was facing near-extinction. Now, thanks to the help of nearby fisher-people, the dolphin is making a fragile recovery.

The series of strikes in Yemen were against the Houthis, an Iran-backed military group, that had been attacking military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, in what they said was retaliation for Israel's war in Gaza. We hear from our national security correspondent and a international trade expert on the strikes and their economic implications.

Taiwan elects a president this weekend and while the government in China believes Taiwan should be under its control, we hear that people in China hold a variety of views about the island next door. And the story of a Palestinian artist in Gaza who continues to make art amid destruction and displacement. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

Poland has been one of Ukraine's strongest allies in its fight against Russia. But the two countries are now in a border dispute over trucking. Polish truckers are blocking thousands of Ukrainian trucks waiting to return home. We go to the border and talk to truckers on both sides of the dispute.

Taiwan has an important election coming up and we hear that relations with China is one of the main things on the minds of many voters. And though China is much bigger and more powerful than Taiwan, the island does wield influence in China when it comes to pop culture.

Hundreds of Nepalese have travelled to Russia to join the army. They've been lured by the promise of employment and Russian citizenship. Some say they were told they wouldn't be doing risky jobs, but once they arrive they say they were sent to the front line to fight in Ukraine. Reporter Shalu Yadav went to Nepal and spoke to families of those who died fighting in Ukraine.

Ghana began encouraging people of African descent from around the world to move to the country in 2019, calling it the "Year of Return". They even created settlements for the people who took them up on the offer, giving out free land. But our correspondent talks to locals who say their farm land was stolen to give to foreigners.

Ghana began encouraging people of African descent from around the world to move to the country in 2019, calling it the "Year of Return". They even created settlements for the people who took them up on the offer, giving out free land. But our correspondent talks to locals who say their farm land was stolen to give to foreigners.

Israel's Prime Minister has vowed to fight until the "definitive victory over Hamas". But what is actually achievable? Our correspondent in Tel Aviv examines what it will take for Israel to declare mission accomplished in Gaza, and end the war. And Uber is trying to win over cab drivers in London, who have resisted the company for years. We talk to cabbies to see if they might succeed.

Inside China, the state is cracking down queer and feminist groups... so some are staging their own events in New York City. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org. And you can donate to your local NPR member station by going to stations.npr.org

Greece says Britain should return sculptures taken from the Acropolis and a Turkish archeological dig uncovers Roman churches, temples, and canals. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org. And you can donate to your local NPR member station by going to stations.npr.org

Two stories about Africa's art and music. We hear from a rapper who raises awareness of the war in Sudan. And attend an influential art festival in Lagos.

A Ukrainian village with divided loyalties reels from both the loss of life following a missile attack and the loss of trust in their community.

NPR's Eyder Peralta brings exclusive reporting from Nicaragua, which has become one of the most authoritarian countries in the Western Hemisphere, and bars foreign journalists. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org. And you can donate to your local NPR member station by going to stations.npr.org

Hollywood left Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. However, improbably, Barbie was a huge hit in the country. Our correspondent in Moscow examines the phenomenon.

Surviving climate threats demands adaptation. In Bangladesh, an engineer and a housewife improvised their own early warning system for historic floods. And villagers in Pakistan are revisiting an old tradition of growing their own glaciers. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org. And you can donate to your local NPR member station by going to stations.npr.org

We visit Guedelon Castle in Burgundy, France. A 26 year-old building project, dedicated to training workers in medieval construction techniques and teaching visitors about history.

German economists and politicians have warned German companies to not rely so heavily on Chinese businesses, advocating "de-risking". We go to Germany's industrial heartland where business leaders have found that advice hard to follow.

Ukraine is been at war for nearly 22 months, with airports closed and many sea ports blockaded. Yet NPR's Nathan Rott has found sushi in the country is widely available. And, he says, that says something about the supply chain and the resilience of the Ukrainian economy. Support the NPR Network by joining State of the World+ or by giving a tax-deductible donation. And thank you!

U.S. officals have been increasingly public in their appeals to Israel to limit casualties in Gaza, but so far nothing has changed. So what does this say about the relationship between the U.S. and Israel now? We hear from a retired diplomat with long experience in the region.

Even as Ukraine continues to battle Russia, funding from the West is in doubt. We hear from some Ukrainians who are nervous about the funding. And the former Soviet state of Georgia has been partially occupied by Russia since 2008. We hear about Georgia's delicate balance between Russia and the West. Support the NPR Network by joining State of the World+ or by giving a tax-deductible donation. And thank you!

China is at an inflection point. The country that enjoyed decades of growth, confident that the future was bright, has experienced a shift in the vibes. Our correspondent in Beijing illustrates what this looks like by bringing us stories from 4 people living in China today.

A government program in Russia offers pardons to prisoners convicted of serious crime who agree to fight in Ukraine, if they survive. The policy has serious consequences for victims of crimes and their families. We hear more from our correspondent in Moscow. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org. And you can donate to your local NPR member station by going to stations.npr.org

Though Israel's goal in Gaza is to eliminate Hamas as a military threat, there appears to be rising popularity for Hamas among Palestinians in the West Bank. We travel there and hear that many Palestinians don't believe Hamas committed atrocities in the October 7th attack. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

Nearly two years into Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine is building its tech industry as a part of its war effort and as a means of rebuilding its economy. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org

There is a fierce battle between Israeli forces and Hamas in the city of Khan Younis in Gaza. The battle is coming close to the city's main hospital. We hear dispatches from Khan Younis. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org. And you can donate to your local NPR member station by going to stations.npr.org

A vote in the Polish parliament ended the rule of a right-wing political party— an historic power shift in the country, which is a key US ally and NATO member. A movie studio plans to use artificial intelligence to recreate the voice and image of iconic late French cabaret singer Edith Piaf. Super-fans in her neighborhood aren't so sure machines are up to the task. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

The British government is pushing forward with a controversial plan to deport undocumented migrants, no matter where they've come from, to the central African country of Rwanda.

Israeli forces have traded artillery and rocket fire with Hezbollah, a militia backed by Iran that operates in Lebanon. We hear the voices of people living on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org. And you can donate to your local NPR member station by going to stations.npr.org

Russia has made it a practice of attacking electrical infrastructure in Ukraine over the winter with missiles and drones. We hear about Ukraine's preparations for these attack and how they'll be put to the test.Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org. And you can donate to your local NPR member station by going to stations.npr.org

Once again at COP28, the annual global climate summit, experts are warning of the dire consequences of the world ignoring a warming planet. But this year that message is being delivered in the United Arab Emirates, a country that is dependent on oil and gas. Our correspondent based in Dubai is at the conference and talks about that tension.

Venezuela held a vote on whether to annex some of neighboring Guyana. But the turnout may point to problems for the autocratic ruler of Venezuela.And, a rehabilitation camp in Ukraine for children, who have witnessed death, survived bombings and lost family.

After a week-long pause, Hamas again fired rockets into Israel and Israel resumed airstrikes in Gaza. A report on why the fighting resumed. And were Gaza's hospitals able to resupply and catch up on treating patients during the cease-fire?For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates

Our reporter in Moscow tells us of a manifesto, claiming to be from families of Russian troops, calling for demobilization and other signs of faltering support for Russia's war in Ukraine.And amid an improving economy, Venezuela is trying to ramp up oil production. But with neglected oil infrastructure, that has meant more oil spills.Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

We hear about two experiences of life in Gaza. One from a 22 year-old Israeli reserve soldier sent into the Gaza Strip with his unit. And a mother of two who lives in Gaza trying to shield her children from the horrors of war and stay alive.

We hear from the family of four-year-old Abigail Edan, who was held hostage by Hamas and is the first American freed. And even though Israel urged civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate to the south of the territory for safety, Israeli bombardment in the south continued.Mark Giving Tuesday by signing up for State of the World+ and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

The secretive leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahiya Sinwar, is thought to be the mastermind of the October 7 attack on Israel and he has led the Hamas negotiations on hostages. Our Jerusalem correspondent has met the Hamas leader at press conferences over the years and has this look at who he is and what his war strategy seems to be.Mark Giving Tuesday by signing up for State of the World+ and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

Illegal gold mining is profitable in Brazil, bringing in more than $2 billion a year. And the government has made it easier to get away with. But the practice damages the rainforest and poisons indigenous communities. We go to a town at the center of the illegal mine business.You can support NPR's journalism this Giving Tuesday by going to donate.npr.org or learn more about NPR+ at plus.npr.org.

Hamas and Israel have reached a deal to release some Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a pause in fighting. We get the details from our reporter in Tel Aviv.And in Russia, a crack down on journalists following the invasion of Ukraine has caused some to continue their work outside the country.You can support NPR's journalism this Giving Tuesday by going to donate.npr.org or learn more about NPR+ at plus.npr.org.

One fifth of Israeli citizens also identify as Palestinian or Arab. Israel's war with Gaza has meant a tension between the actions of their country and their identity. At the same time, many are facing increased discrimination.And we meet a mother whose premature babies were finally evacuated from Gaza.You can support NPR's journalism this Giving Tuesday by going to donate.npr.org or learn more about NPR+ at plus.npr.org.

We hear about a time when an airport opened in Gaza, a U.S. president visited and it seemed like Palestinian statehood was close to being a reality.And, a multi-ethnic, multi-religious band in Israel is working to bridge some of the divides in the country.Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

There's only one place goods or people are allowed to enter or leave Gaza. Our reporter is in Rafah, Egypt and sees the trickle of aid going into Gaza.Also, in an interview with NPR, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is vague on who will govern Gaza when the fighting stops.And comedians and writers on both sides of the conflict use satire to express their anger and grief.Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

Biden met with President Xi Jinping of China for the first time in a year. And though expectations were low, our China correspondent tells us some important agreements emerged from the meeting.

The Israeli military says Hamas militants operate in the hospital. International rights groups say hospitals are protected under international law.And the president-elect of Guatemala, who won on an anti-corruption platform, believes the country's ruling elite are trying to prevent him from taking office.

We go to southern Lebanon to hear from people who have endured decades of conflict and face new fighting as the war between Israel and Hamas increase regional tensions.

The southern city of Kherson has been free from Russian occupation for a year. But while its liberation energized Ukrainian forces, Russian troops remain just a mile away.

Berlin's iconic nightclubs are a cultural institution. But they face dwindling revenue due to decreased tourism and strained relationships with their gentrifying neighborhoods.

The war in Sudan has been going on for over six months. Thousands have died and more than six million have been displaced. He hear about conditions inside Sudan from the voices of those living through the violence.

We hear from two people who negotiated previous peace proposals between Israelis and Palestinians. They believe there is a peaceful solution to the current conflict.

We hear about whether other groups, or countries, in the Middle East could expand the conflict beyond Israel and Gaza. And an account from a surgeon caring for patients in Gaza, under bombardment.

Ukraine's president and top military commander disagree over the message to send about the lack of progress in the effort to retake territory from Russia. And the effort to recreate the original acoustics of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris as it is being rebuilt. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

The Israeli military isn't saying much about it's ground offensive in Gaza but satellite images and social media offer some clues about its strategy. And the dramatic scene at the border between Gaza and Egypt where only a small number of people are being allowed to escape the war.

Tech CEOs and politicians from around the world gathered to discuss the potential dangers posed by artificial intelligence and how to work together to prevent some of the worst outcomes from happening.

As Israel undergoes a ground assault of Gaza, Hamas will be able waiting to attack from a network of tunnels. We hear about the challenges that will present.

Reactions to the Israel-Hamas war vary across Europe, determined by each country's unique history and perspectives. We hear from NPR correspondents from three European capitals.

Israel has expanded its war with Hamas, stepping up attacks from the air and sending troops into Gaza. For 34 hours communication was cut off in Gaza, we hear our producer in there describe what the scene was like. And a group of workers from Gaza who were trapped in Israel when the fighting started, worry about their loved ones and wish they could go home. You can find coverage of all sides of this conflict at npr.org/mideastupdates.

We hear from our reporter on the ground in Acapulco, Mexico, where a devastating hurricane grew in intensity so rapidly residents were unable to prepare. And an interview with the foreign minister of Iran about his country's support for Hamas and their involvement in the group's conflict with Israel.

China is increasing military pressure on Taiwan without declaring an outright invasion. We hear about what the pressure looks like and what China's goals are from our correspondent based in Taiwan.

It has been weeks since Israel said it would invade Gaza to eradicate Hamas, following the attacks on Israel launched by that group October 7th. The U.S. may be among those trying to delay the invasion. We hear from NPR reporters about what the concerns could be. And a conversation with someone trying to get aid into Gaza from the only point where a small number of trucks have been allowed through. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.

World news doesn't have to feel worlds away. Immerse yourself in the most compelling and consequential stories from around the globe. Hear new episodes every weekday and sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org. State of the World was previously State of Ukraine. You'll continue to hear Ukraine coverage here, along with other international stories.

We hear from Israeli veterans of the last Gaza invasion nine years ago, about their reflections from that conflict and their fears for this new one.

Though Gaza has been the focus of Israel's response to attacks by militants, the West Bank is also seeing an increase in violence. Residents there react to recent events. We also hear from members of a community that was hit hard by the Hamas attacks. They've been relocated to a hotel and are trying to make sense of what they've lost.

Egypt finds itself in a tricky situation with the crisis in neighboring Gaza. They want to make sure aid gets into suffering residents of Gaza but they don't want to accept refugees for fear of being drawn into the conflict. We hear analysis of how Egypt's leadership is responding and the voices of protesters in Cairo.

As the Israeli military gets ready for an invasion of Gaza, local media and some soldiers say they're short on supplies. And grassroots organizations are taking it upon themselves to fill the gap.

We hear analysis from two important presidential visits. President Biden offers condolences and support on a visit to Israel. And President Putin displayed Russia's bonds with China in a meeting with the Chinese leader.

A blast at a crowded hospital in Gaza could become a turning point in the war. And people who lost their family and homes in Hamas' attack on Israel try to reckon with the aftermath.

The situation for civilians in Gaza continues the to deteriorate as food, medicine and water run short. Israel continues airstrikes and prepares for a ground assault. Hamas continues to fire rockets in Israel. And in Poland, a surprising election result with a record-breaking turnout.

Israel has ordered effectively half the population of Gaza to flee their homes ahead of an expected military assault. Many Israelis have decided to leave the country. And we hear from a hospital in Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Israel to show U.S. support in the wake of deadly attacks by Hamas militants. We talk to our correspondent travelling with him. And we hear from an American who is among the millions trapped in Gaza amid the Israeli blockade and airstrikes.

The power is out in Gaza, as Israel's blockade prevents fuel, food, and water from entering. Civilians there fear nowhere is safe from Israeli airstrikes. And in Israel they are still reeling from Hamas' brutal cross-border attack and many are searching for missing loved ones who may have been kidnapped. We hear from our correspondents on the ground and from people on both sides of the conflict.

Some in Congress point to Ukrainian corruption as a reason to cut off U.S. aid. But Ukrainians say that image of them is outdated and they're working hard to fight corruption. And, because we know you value world news, we widen our focus to bring you an on-the-ground report from the war between Israel and the Hamas militant group in Gaza.

Satellite imagery shows that millions of acres of productive farmland have gone unplanted. We hear what researchers have learned and what the effects may be.

There are more than 10,000 Russian Orthodox parishes in Ukraine with ties to the church's leader in Moscow. Many see them as disloyal now that Russia has invaded Ukraine.

With future U.S. aid to Ukraine in doubt, the Defense Department is warning members of Congress that current military funding for Ukraine is nearly exhausted. NPR's Pentagon correspondent tells us what that could mean.

Future funding for Ukraine from allies, including from the United States, is being challenged. Our correspondent in Kyiv tells us how the Ukrainian government is reacting and gives us an update on where progress on the battlefield stands.

Aid to Ukraine was stripped out of a bill to avert a government shutdown at the last-minute. We hear from a U.S. senator about what message this might send to Ukraine and to Russia.

Ukraine's neighbor, Slovakia, has been supportive in the war against Russia. However the frontrunner in this weekend's election sides with the Kremlin. We hear more from our correspondent in Bratislava.

Cluster munitions are banned in more than 100 countries, but they're being used by Russia and Ukraine in their war. We hear about a report documenting the deaths and injuries caused by these weapons.

Ukraine has been increasing attacks on the Russian Navy in occupied Crimea. Ukraine even claims to have killed the commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet- though Russia is disputing that. We talk to a retired U.S. Navy admiral about what the attacks on the Russian Navy say about Ukraine's strategy.

Poland borders Ukraine, a Russian territory and Russian-ally Belarus. Poland has also experienced illegal migrants and a visa fraud scandal. We learn what all this means for Poland and it's closely fought upcoming election.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been making his case at the U.N. and on Capitol Hill for continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. He's also been making his case in the U.S. media and he sat down for a one-on-one interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

We talk to Penny Pritzker, US special representative for Ukraine economic recovery about how Ukraine can rebuild even as the war is far from over.

We hear what the United Nations secretary-general, President Biden and Ukraine's president had to say about Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine at this year's UN General Assembly.

The Ukrainian military's progress in its effort to retake territory controlled by Russia is being slowed by thousands and thousands of landmines. We meet the "sappers" who do the painstaking and extremely dangerous work of removing these explosives.

The Ukrainians are running out of time to make progress on their summer-long effort to retake territory from Russia. Soon rains and winter weather will make fighting difficult. We hear about the future of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Ukraine bears the brunt of a spike in cluster munition attacks.

Ukraine is fighting hard to retake territory Russia currently holds, but so far progress has been limited. We hear about what options the U.S. and other allies have in looking for an end to this war.

More and more conservative Americans in rural towns think US aid to Ukraine would be better spent elsewhere and the GOP presidential candidates are taking notice.

The North Korean leader travels to Russia to meet with Putin and western countries believe the discussion will be about a potential arms deal. We hear about what each side stands to gain from the other.

Brian Mann has just finished a rotation filling in as NPR's Ukraine correspondent. He tells us what experience will stick with him from this trip and how the country compares to his last trip, a year ago.

We talk to workers facing a terrible precedent: Ukraine is the first nation with a large-scale nuclear power industry to face a full-scale war. Experts say the risks are daunting.

An inside look at Ukraine's cyber war against Russia from a top Ukrainian intelligence official.

We hear about the purpose of the visit from NPR's correspondent travelling in Ukraine with Secretary Blinken.

The change comes after some corruption scandals and in the middle of a costly summer counter offensive. We hear from NPR's correspondent in Kyiv.

We hear from an independent Russian media outlet about some 150 acts of arson against Russian military recruitment centers.

The Ukrainian military claims it has broken through a Russian defensive line in the south. NPR's correspondent in Kyiv explains what it could mean for the Ukrainian counter offensive.

The U.S. accuses North Korea of selling weapons to Russia. We hear about what this means from the White House National Security Council spokesman.

NPR's Brian Mann met the well-known fighter pilot who went by the callsign "Juice" in the early weeks of the war. And he recently attended his funeral in Kyiv.

Ukrainian forces have been trying to push back on Russian gains this summer. But NPR found in the eastern front, Russians are on the attack and civilians are fleeing the fighting.

NPR's Moscow correspondent went to a makeshift memorial for Wagner's dead leader and also talked to a former member of the mercenary group to try to understand what happens to the organization now.

The first Republican presidential debate exposed some big differences in what candidates think should be the U.S. role in the war in Ukraine. We hear reporting from both NPR's correspondent in Ukraine and our Pentagon correspondent.

We hear two conversations about the possible death of the leader of the Wagner private mercenary group, who was both instrumental in Russia's war in Ukraine and the leader of an uprising that embarrassed the Kremlin.

Ukrainians are thumbing their noses at Putin by sunbathing and swimming on Black Sea beaches that have reopened despite the dangers of war.

Ukrainian soldiers, who were trained by the U.S. in Germany, speak to NPR about using Western tactics – and weapons – in the latest counteroffensive to push out Russian forces.

Ukrainians are struggling to cope with a mental health crisis as the war in their country drags on. NPR's Greg Myre reports "how are you?" has taken on greater meaning.

We hear from the the man charged with tracking U.S. spending in Afghanistan about what lessons learned there can be applied to the billions of dollars going to Ukraine.

We hear from Kelly Grieco, senior fellow at the Stimson Center, about how the use of drones by both sides in the war in Ukraine is changing the way wars are fought.

NPR's Charles Maynes tells us about China's Defense Minister's second visit to Moscow this year and what it means for China's support of Russia in its war in Ukraine.

NPR's Kyiv correspondent Joanna Kakissis profiles a young musical duo who sang through the war until they were killed by a Russian missile.

Military tensions are rising between Ukraine's ally Poland and Russia's ally Belarus. NPR's Rob Schmitz explains why Poland is planning to send ten thousand troops to its border.

At a women's professional soccer match in Kyiv, NPR's Jenna McLaughlin found players are overcoming the challenges of a growing sport and a country at war.

NPR's Jenna McLaughlin attended a meeting of Ukrainian experts in cyberdefense where they discussed lessons learned and the challenges they face.

NPR's Greg Myre has covered over a dozen wars around the world, but says covering the war in Ukraine is different because of the massive amount of information coming out of the conflict.

Diplomats from about 40 countries met in Saudi Arabia recently to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine. NPR's Ukraine correspondent, Joanna Kakissis, explains that even though Russia wasn't part of the summit, Ukraine is still hoping to move closer to ending the war with these talks.

Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports have intensified since Moscow suspended participation in a deal that allowed Ukrainian grain to reach world markets.

US Ambassadors at the United Nations say Russia's attack on Ukraine threatens global food security.

As Ukraine claims a strategic victory in a long, grueling counteroffensive, its troops say they need more long-range weapons to fight increasingly entrenched Russian troops.

First, Russia wiped out Ukraine's navy. Now, Russia is blockading Ukraine's critical grain exports. As Ukraine tries to rebuild its navy, NPR's Greg Myre got a ride on one of its few boats.

Nobel Laureates from Ukraine, Belarus and Russia are in Washington to make the case for more weapons for Ukraine.

At the start of Russia's invasion, advancing troops reached the outskirts of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. They devastated the suburb of Bucha, killing hundreds. Now, Bucha is coming back to life.

Richard Haass served in the White House, the Pentagon and the State Department. For the last 20 years he was the head of the Council on Foreign Relations. On the occasion of his retirement A Martinez talked to him about the war in Ukraine and other foreign policy issues around the world.

Two Russian media outlets have tried to find the true number of Russian soldiers who have died in Ukraine. Mary Louise Kelly speaks with one of the editors on the project.

Russia has pulled out of a deal allowing Ukraine to ship grain to markets around the world from blockaded ports. In the port city of Odessa, a senior U.S. official pledged support in keeping the grain shipments going. NPR's Joanna Kakissis was there and tells us what it means.

NPR's Charles Maynes in Moscow tells us about two significant developments between Russia and Ukraine. First, Russia announces it is backing out of a deal allowing Ukraine to export grain to world markets. And a key bridge connecting the Russian mainland and Russian-annexed Crimea was attacked, apparently by Ukraine.

Though Russian cyberattacks have not been a major factor in the war in Ukraine, Russian cyber-criminals have recently been ramping up attacks on the rest of the world. NPR cyber security correspondent Jenna McLaughlin tells us what the increase might mean.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg talks about Sweden being admitted to the alliance and what it might take for Ukraine to join.

At the NATO summit in Lithuania, Ukraine didn't get a pathway to join the alliance as it had hoped. But it did get long term promises of suport from the US and other countries. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley was at the summit and tells us what happened.

The Kremlin has revealed President Vladimir Putin met with Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenaries just days after they staged an uprising against military leadership. And one of Russia's top generals has resurfaced. NPR's Charles Maynes in Moscow explains what we know.

Turkey's president Erdogan said he would not stand in the way of Sweden joining the NATO alliance, ending months of speculation. Mary Louise Kelly talks about all the dynamics at play with Aslı Aydıntaşbaş of the Brookings Institution.

A young award-winning novelist who retrained as a war crimes researcher to document Russian atrocities and preserve Ukrainian culture has met a tragic end.

Ukraine and Russia each say the other is planning to sabotage the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. They've been trading accusations over the past year, but now they say an attack is imminent.

When Russia launches an airstrike on Kyiv, the first line of defense is parked in a hayfield outside the city. The protection consists of two soldiers, a Humvee and a Stinger missile.

The Zaporizhzhia region is currently an active frontline in the Urainian counteroffensive against Russia. NPR's Joanna Kakissis tells us that 500 years ago, the area was in the same position.

Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, gives us his views on how the Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russia is progressing.

NPR Moscow correspondent Charles Maynes explains what we know about the leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and his apparently crucial role in ending the crisis in Russia.

We hear from US Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner on the dramatic uprising and then reversal of a mercenary force in Russia.

A mercenary leader launched a brief uprising against the Russian military and the authority of Vladimir Putin, taking over a Russian military headquarters and even sending fighters toward Moscow, before later turning them around. NPR's Charles Maynes in Moscow and Greg Myre in Kyiv tell us about the aftermath of this event in Russia and Ukraine.

U.S. military support has been crucial to Ukraine throughout the war and is a key component to their current counteroffensive against Russia. NPR's Greg Myre tells us what that support looks like on the ground in Ukraine.

Cheap, widely-available drones have given Ukraine a real advantage on the battlefield. Greg Myre tells us how thousands of drone operators have helped Ukraine and why the military want to train thousands more.

Julian Hayda takes us to northern Greece where there is a site, holy to Orthodox Christianity, that many believe Russian oligarchs are using to launder money.

To understand where the war stands at this moment, we hear from Pentagon Correspondent Tom Bowman in Washingotn, and NPR's Greg Myre in Kyiv.

The war in Ukraine has prompted NATO to go into high gear, accepting new members and stepping up their military training. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley attended NATO military exercises in Romania.

Ahead of their summit in July, some NATO countries are suggesting the alliance offer Ukraine a path to membership. NPR's Michele Kelemen tells us more.

War can cause strange alliances. NPR's Julian Hayda brings us the story of Ukrainian anarchists supporting their government.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the military offensive against Russian forces has begun. NPR's Greg Myre in Kyiv gives us the latest on what we know.

The disruption of grain from Russia and Ukraine have hurt the food supply in many countries. NPR's Aya Batrawy shows us how it is a factor in Egypt's crisis of food insecurity.

NPR's Joanna Kakissis introduces us to an aid worker who evacuates people from the front lines. He remembers his hometown of Bakhmut from before it was the site of the longest and bloodiest battle of the war.

We hear from a resident of Kherson, a city downstream of the recently destroyed Kakhovka dam. In addition to near constant shelling by Russian forces, the city is now dealing with flood waters.

We hear from NPR reporters in Kyiv and Moscow for the latest on what we know about the dam's destruction, and from our science correspondent on what this may mean for Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

Joanna Kakissis brings us the stories of workers who fled the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in central Ukraine.

Russia has so far avoided economic fall-out from international trade sanctions. But that could be changing, as Russia's economy is bearing the consequences of declining oil prices, the expense of waging war on Ukraine, and a brain-drain of skilled workers.

For the past three decades, Russia has tried to mediate a border conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But NPR's Charles Maynes found that the war in Ukraine is causing ripple effects in parts of the former Soviet Union.

NPR's Joanna Kakissis talks with the Ukrainian fighters who have been quietly laying the groundwork to take back the land next to an important waterway in southern Ukraine.

Russia claims Ukraine attacked Moscow with eight drones. We hear from NPR Moscow correspondent Charles Maynes.

International assistance is allowing Ukraine to stabilize its economy, avoiding collapse. NPR's Julian Hayda takes us to a market in Kyiv to see how these monetary moves are affecting shoppers.

NPR's Greg Myre looks at what realistic goals might be for Ukraine's military campaign to push back on Russian gains.

NPR's Joanna Kakissis in Eastern Ukraine and Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman talk about the goals for the Ukrainian counteroffensive, and increasing U.S. support for Ukraine.

This graduation season marks the end of a surprising chapter in the life of one student, displaced by war, who went from Ukraine's second largest city to a junior boarding school in Northern New York.

Both sides have endured great losses in the fight for a minor Ukrainian City. NPR's Scott Simon talks to a professor of strategic studies to find out why.

President Zelenskyy has recently visited European capitals as well as meetings with Arab leaders and the G7 nations. NPR's Joanna Kakissis talks about the Ukrainian president's diplomatic push.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Arab League summit, a group which contains countries that have very close ties to Russia. NPR's Aya Batrawy tells us what Saudi Arabia's invitation to Zelenskyy means.

The head of Ukraine's supreme court has been arrested for corruption. NPR's Joanna Kakissis tells us it is part of an on-going crackdown.

Ukrainian forces claim they've made advances in the battle for Bakhmut, a city in the east that Russia has been trying to capture for more than 10 months. NPR's Joanna Kakissis tells us this may be a sign that the long-awaited counteroffensive has begun.

Russia took Crimea from Ukraine illegally nine years ago and many Ukrainians want it back. But the peninsula is seen as a red line for Russia. Eleanor Beardsley takes a look at the high-stakes decision of whether Ukraine should make retaking the territory one of its goals.

To understand the upcoming, or possibly started, Ukrainian counteroffensive to push back Russian gains, NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Max Bergmann of the Center for Strategic & International Studies.

Ukraine's president says more weapons are needed before a spring counteroffensive begins. NPR's Leila Fadel talks to retired U.S Army Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges about whether a delay hurts Ukraine's effort.

Though last year's winner, Ukraine, cannot host the contest because of the war, it will put forward a powerful entry. NPR's Joanna Kakissis introduces to the duo who will showcase the country's evolving cultural identity.

The war in Ukraine meant a scaled back celebration in Moscow honoring the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. NPR's Moscow Correspondent Charles Maynes explains how the holiday is different this year.

NPR's Julian Hayda attends a funeral for an American who died fighting for Ukraine in Bahkmut.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to two students, one from each country, whose classes connect over Zoom to learn about each other's lives.

A Ukrainian defense official tells NPR's Joanna Kakissis, that he believes Russia's standing in the world will be very different when the war is over.

We hear from NPR's Greg Myre about Russian claims that two drones were sent by Ukraine to attack the Kremlin compound in Moscow. Russia says the target of the attack was Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Russian missile strikes evaded Ukraine's air defenses killing at least 24 people-- including four children. NPR's Joanna Kakissis takes us to the central Ukrainian city of Uman, which suffered the most casualties.

China correspondent Emily Feng talks about Chinese leader Xi Jinping's offer, on a call with the Ukrainian President, to facilitate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

NPR's Joanna Kakissis brings us to an ever-growing cemetery in Kyiv where loved ones of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the battle of Bahkmut, pin their hopes on an imminent Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Eleanor Beardsley takes us to an eastern Ukraine town anxiously watching the fighting in nearby Bakhmut, because they know if it falls, they might be next.

Many American companies left Russia shortly after it invaded Ukraine. Others that waited are now finding it challenging to leave. And a promising young Ukrainian tennis player flees the war and works to realize her dreams in the US.

Ukraine relies on billions of dollars in aid from the U.S. to keep services running during the war. The way Ukraine spends the money is strictly monitored. The U.S. wants to bolster that transparency.

Since the start of the war, thousands of Ukrainian children were sent or taken to Russia. Human rights organizations allege Russia is trying to indoctrinate those children against their home country.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine impacted one kindergarten class in Kharkiv city — spreading families across the world and forcing them to make choices to deal with trauma affecting their children. We hear about two kindergarten best friends, now separated by an ocean and a war.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine spread families of one kindergarten class in Kharkiv across the world and forced families to make choices about how to deal with trauma manifesting in the country's youngest.

Moscow correspondent Charles Maynes tells us about a new Russian law cracking down on draft dodging and its implications for the war in Ukraine.

In a war-ruined district of Kharkiv, Joanna Kakissis brings us the story of a widower who tries to repair his bombed apartment building as Ukraine struggles to restore neighborhoods destroyed by Russian attacks.

The U.S. is low on rockets and artillery shells. Congress is funding a huge arms buying spree, but U.S. factories can't produce munitions fast enough. And price gouging is a concern.

Ukraine correspondent Joanna Kakissis talks about the U.S. intelligence leaks, some of which detail the state of the war in Ukraine, and what their impact will be as Ukraine is preparing for a counter-offensive sometime this spring.

The battle over the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut has been a deadly slugfest that has reduced it to ruins. We meet a team of Ukrainian medics who have worked hard to support and treat wounded soldiers.

Ukraine's military is asking its Western allies for modern aircraft to fight Russian forces. In the meantime it is making do with Soviet-era equipment. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley takes a look at some of the many vintage helicopters in Ukraine's fleet.

Finland raced to join NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This addition doubles the alliance's border with Russia. We'll hear some pros and cons of this move.

The U.S. is trying to step up enforcement of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine — looking to make countries and their companies fear losing business if they evade sanctions.

Retired military personnel from the U.S., Sweden and other countries are volunteering in Ukraine to teach ordinary citizens to be soldiers. They sometimes only get a few days to explain the basics before the new soldiers are sent into battle.

Thousands of residents fled during the heavy shelling of Ukraine's second largest city. But one street artist, known as the Ukrainian Banksy, remained and continued his work.

While nearly half of the residents of Kyiv fled the city when Russia invaded Ukraine, many elderly could or would not leave. We hear about several of these elderly Ukrainians from when the fighting began, and then revisit them after a year of war.

There are still some 10,000 civilians in the Ukrainian frontline city of Bakhmut. Many have left and some live in a shelter in a nearby town where they share stories of survival and loss.

The only member of Russia's parliament to vote against the annexation of Crimea now lives in Ukraine and runs an online news channel, intended to subvert the Kremlin's propaganda machine.

A $15.6 billion International Monetary Fund loan to Ukraine will be its first to a country at war. Scheherazade Rehman, professor of international finance at George Washington University, talks about the agreement's significance.

The Russian invasion has cemented the decision for many couples to opt out of having babies, in a country that struggled with incredibly low fertility rates long before the war.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's leader Xi Jinping wrapped up two days of discussions in Moscow with China potentially seeking to serve as peacemaker to end the war in Ukraine.

There is a sharp debate among Republicans over continuing aid for Ukraine. We hear from Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., on why he is skeptical of ongoing U.S. financial support of Ukraine in their fight against Russia.

The Russian President is charged with the the war crime of deporting Ukrainian children to Russia.

As Russia's war on Ukraine drags on, traumatized soldiers can recharge at a Western-style healing center in northeastern Ukraine before returning to the frontline.

A Russian fighter jet clipped a U.S. drone, forcing it to crash in the Black Sea. It is one of the most serious incidents involving U.S. and Russian militaries in and around Ukraine.And a young volunteer from Poland braves artillery barrages to evacuate residents from Bakhmut, the epicenter of recent fighting in Eastern Ukraine.

Weapons used in the war are leaving behind contamination in Ukraine that will linger for years. We hear from an expert in how landscapes recover from war about what Ukraine's farmers will face once the war is over.

Ukraine's best-known soldier began fighting Russians in eastern Ukraine in 2014, at age 18, forgoing dreams of becoming an artist. He died earlier this week on the same frontline.

Researchers warn that Russia is ramping up its efforts to destabilize Moldova through propaganda and false information.

At least six people died after a barrage of Russian missiles hit targets across Ukraine early Thursday. The attack included an unprecedented number of hypersonic missiles and knocked out power at Europe's largest atomic power station.

For over a year, a Justice Department task force has been charged with targeting Kremlin-aligned Russian oligarchs and seizing their riches — including everything from luxury yachts to opulent homes.

After a year of war, Russia and Ukraine have lost many of their best troops. The problem for Ukraine is that Russia's far larger population means it likely could access far more troops to send to the front. NPR's Frank Langfitt talks to two front-line Ukrainian soldiers about the future of the conflict.

Both sides in the war have suffered horrific losses fighting over the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Joanna Kakissis talks about why this battle is important in the overall war.

Along the quiet but unpredictable border with Belarus, Ukrainian soldiers dig in for a protracted war and train to help besieged forces in the east.

The US Secretary of State met with his Russian counterpart for the first time in more than a year. The war in Ukraine has led to a collapse relations between the two. A war that shows no signs of ending, with no diplomatic end game in sight.

Russia's war in Ukraine has had a profound and permanent shift in the world's oil markets, creating new geopolitical alliances. Analysts say it's comparable to the 1970s Arab oil embargo.

Russia's war on Ukraine affected grain shipments and raised concerns about a global food crisis. A year later, the worst fears about food prices and worldwide hunger failed to materialize. Nurith Aizenman talks about what went right and what the future of global food prices may be.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Rachel Ziemba of the Center for a New American Security about whether the more than 11,000 sanctions on Russia are weakening their ability to finance the war.

As Russia's war in Ukraine enters its second year, four NPR correspondents based around the world talk about what the impact has been in their regions. We hear the viewponts from West Africa, South America, China and India.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confounded expectations of his leadership qualities, in a transformation with few parallels in modern history.

One year after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, life in Russia has changed profoundly. Our correspondent in Moscow tells us it is a place of lost freedoms, historical grievances, pride and despair.

Kherson was the first large city in Ukraine to fall to Russian forces. The historically Russian-speaking city fought back under occupation as ordinary citizens spied on their occupiers.

Yevgeny Prigozhin founded the Wagner Group, a mercenary force fighting for Russia in Ukraine. NPR's Charles Maynes has a portrait of Prigozhin from his home town Saint Petersburg.

President Biden made an unannounced trip to Ukraine's capital. And NATO countries have been remarkably united throughout the past year. But there are big divisions, including on how the conflict should end.

With the war in Ukraine entering its second year with no end in sight, we're taking a long look at this grim milestone. NPR's Leila Fadel takes stock of the war, the people affected by it, and looks at what could happen next.

From a swift Russian victory to fragmentation of the West, most of the big fears and predictions about the war in Ukraine proved wrong. NPR's Frank Langfitt explains why.

Russia throws new conscripts into battle — beginning an offensive in Ukraine. Ukrainians plan their own offensive soon. Can either side avoid a stalemate?And thousands of Russian exiles opposed to the war in Ukraine have taken up residence in Armenia, a former Soviet republic which offers Russians passport-free admission.

War crimes researchers at Yale University say they have documented the illegal deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the war in Ukraine and what is needed for peace.

Satellite data obtained by NPR indicate Russia appears to be draining a huge reservoir in southern Ukraine — imperiling drinking water, agricultural production and Europe's largest nuclear plant.

As the war in Ukraine approaches the end of its first year, NATO allies face a challenge to keep the Ukrainian army supplied with weapons and ammunition — as their own stocks dwindle.

Last year, President Biden elicited long, bipartisan standing ovations for his stirring vows of crippling sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine. This year, the situation is different.

A prosthetics clinic that once served mostly American military veterans is now helping Ukrainian amputees get state-of-the-art artificial limbs.

Examining the Wagner Group, a private military company that Russia has relied on to provide fighters, including prisoners, in Ukraine

Polish Ambassador to the U.S. Marek Magierowski talks about Poland's support of Ukraine, and its call for more military aid in the war against Russia. And a ballet company formed from Ukrainians who fled the war, perform in the U.S.

Russia and Ukraine are waging a fierce war in the sky but one thing makes this fight distinctive from previous air wars: pilots are extremely rare. And NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Conor Savoy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies about Ukraine's efforts to root out corruption to ensure allies their money is going to the right places.

In an interview with NPR, Ukraine's defense minister says he's optimistic Western allies will supply his country with advanced fighter jets.

An elderly couple who survived a Russian air strike in a town on the front lines in Ukraine celebrate the electricity and water they once again have.

Ukraine needs more than weapons to defeat Russia. The US is also working frantically to provide infrastructure help to keep the lights on.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks with former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute about decisions by the U.S. and Germany to send battle tanks to Ukraine, and their likely impact on the war against Russia.

In coordinated announcements, the US and Germany said they will send two types of state-of-the-art tanks to Ukraine. We hear from NPR reporters in Berlin and Washington, DC about why these announcements were made now and what these weapons will mean on the front lines.

A number of high-level officials were dismissed from Ukraine's government amid allegations of corruption. And a former member of Germany's Parliament talks about the historical and cultural reasons for Germany's reticence to send tanks to Ukraine or allow other countries to do the same.

Ukrainian soldiers in the country's northeast describe winter living conditions in their trenches, in advance of a possible springtime Russian offensive.

Ukraine's allies are announcing their latest weapons packages for the country. But not all of them agree on whether to share western-designed and made heavy battle tanks.And an NPR reporter takes part in a chilly January ritual.

The war in Ukraine shook Europe. Just days after Russia's invasion, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a $100 billion boost for Germany's military. Has it helped? Here's a look at the state of Germany's armed forces and the industry that depends on their survival

A helicopter crash near Kyiv killed more than a dozen people, including the country's interior minister.

Rescuers have been racing to find survivors at an apartment complex attacked by Russian forces on Saturday. At least 40 people were killed, and more than 25 others are missing and feared dead.

The U.S., France and Germany have recently announced plans to send armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine. The Western-designed weapons are an upgrade, but they're not the tanks that Ukraine wants.

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice thinks the way forward for the war in Ukraine is: more. More weapons and more money to Ukraine's forces trying to kick Russia out of their country.

Intense fighting continues in and around the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Russia and a Kremlin-aligned mercenary force have made small advances in nearby villages in recent days.

Ukrainian officials in Odesa say the local economy has contracted 40% since the war began. The shutdown of the local ports and unreliable electricity have forced businesses to adapt.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba details the so-called ceasefire, the options he believes Vladimir Putin has left, and what counts as a victory for Ukraine from here on.

Putin instructed his defense minister to order a temporary cease-fire in Ukraine over Orthodox Christmas. Ukraine accuses Russia of trying to buy time to replenish its stocks along the front lines.

The killing of children's author Volodymyr Vakylenko has become a symbol of Russia's war on Ukrainian culture. His last work was a diary of life under Russian occupation.

Ukraine's government issued 15,000 air raid warnings in 2022, and it doesn't look like Russia is planning to let up this year.

Lights flickered or went out in some Ukrainian cities Thursday. More than 300 days into the war, airstrikes and power outages have become part of life. Where do things stand as the year winds down?

While there are many people in Uzbekistan welcoming Russians fleeing conscription to the war in Ukraine, others are irritated by their presence.

NPR's A Martinez speaks to Daniel Fried, former U.S. ambassador to Poland, about the possibility of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in the new year.

Russian President Putin has started referring to the invasion of Ukraine as a war — after insisting it was an operation. It's been more than 10 months since Russia invaded Ukraine.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Amanda Sloat, senior director for Europe on the National Security Council, about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's trip to Washington and U.S. assistance.

The international community has slapped an unprecedented number of sanctions on Russia since it invaded Ukraine. What impact have they had?

NPR's A Martinez talks to retired Marine Col. Mark Cancian, senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, about a possible major Russian ground offensive in Ukraine.

This month marks 100 years since Ukraine joined the Soviet Union. It did so after Ukraine lost in a bid for independence. Ukraine once again finds itself in another life-and-death battle with Moscow.

A Russian recruit, mobilized for the war in Ukraine, is fighting to serve his country in a different way: alternative service as a conscientious objector.

Ukrainian doctors are getting a crash course in lung transplants here in the U.S. Patients usually leave Ukraine for the surgery, but the war has increased the need for care back home.

There are 50 thousand war crimes under investigation in Ukraine. NPR looked into just one case — the death of a man — and what it might take to find justice.

Max Bergmann of the Center for Strategic and International Studies joins NPR to discuss the implications of reported Ukrainian air strikes deep within Russia.

Ukraine's electrical grid has been under assault from Russian airstrikes for two months. Repair workers are racing to fix damaged power stations, even as the country braces for more attacks.

Russian airstrikes caused electricity outages in some Ukrainian cities. However, Ukraine says it shot down many missiles, and the damage was substantially less than in previous attacks.

"Carol of the Bells" is a Christmas staple in the U.S., but it was written by a Ukrainian composer and first came to the U.S. 100 years ago — when Ukrainians were fighting for freedom.

NPR's A Martinez talks to Luis Moreno Ocampo, former chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, about an EU proposal for a special war crimes court in Ukraine.

NATO foreign ministers are now meeting in Romania to discuss how to support Ukrainians as they confront a harsh winter and a constant barrage of Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.

Ukraine marked 90 years since a terrible famine that killed at least 4 million of its people. The event was especially poignant this year as Ukraine deals with its present crisis.

Ukraine is suffering power outages and damaged heating systems as Russia attacks its energy systems. Many are preparing for winter by cutting down trees, raising concerns about the country's forests.

A small country bordering Russia and partly occupied by it is alarmed by the recent arrival of tens of thousands of Russian men fleeing conscription into the Ukraine war.

As Russia's bombardment of Ukraine's infrastructure continues, the Ukrainian government is set to receive more than $4 billion in aid from the U.S. to help keep basic services running.

Ukraine says Russia is using the cold as a weapon against Ukrainians, by targeting the country's ability to heat and power homes. Repair crews are struggling to restore power to damaged areas.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to Dan Langenkamp, former press attaché for the U.S. embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, about his advocacy for bike safety. His wife was killed in a crash in August.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Stephen Flanagan, a senior fellow at the RAND Corporation, about the lessons NATO can learn from this week's missile strike near Poland's border with Ukraine.

Initial investigations suggest the missile strike in Poland was not a deliberate attack but potentially a stray Ukrainian missile.

As the war has changed over the months, Ukrainian soldiers have had to adapt quickly and learn new skills — even if it means figuring out how to fire anti-tank missiles by watching YouTube videos.

The Russian Defense Ministry says it has completed its withdrawal from the strategically important city of Kherson in southern Ukraine.

Russian officials made an announcement that they are withdrawing troops from the key city of Kherson. The city is the capital of a region Russia claims to have annexed.

Italy has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February. But with high energy prices, inflation and a new government, there's concern that support might start to dwindle.

NPR checks in on a woman in Ukraine, six months after her town was liberated from Russian occupation.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted the Biden administration to extend an olive branch to Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro.

A new school in Kyiv aims to get more women involved in the war effort by putting them in a driver's seat where few have been before: piloting drones.

Ukraine says it shot down many of the missiles sent by Russia on Monday, but the ones that got through have caused a lot of damage.

Russia has threatened to pull out of the Black Sea Grain initiative - a move that threatens to have a profound impact on global food prices.

Russia has given no evidence of Ukraine planning to use a bomb that would spread radiation on its own territory. The U.S. has warned Russia may be setting a pretext for its own future actions.

The war in Ukraine hasn't only destroyed lives and buildings. It's also ripped apart trust in communities that endured Russian occupation. Neighbors now see each other as collaborators with the enemy.

Members of the congressional progressive caucus have withdrawn a letter urging President Biden to adjust his approach to the war in Ukraine.

The likelihood that Republicans may win the House has triggered concerns in Ukraine. Last month, most House Republicans voted against a funding package that included billions earmarked for Ukraine.

Iran is wading into Russia's war on Ukraine with reported plans to sell surface to surface missiles and drones to Moscow. Will Iran's help change the trajectory of this war?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered martial law in four Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.

When the question comes up on how the war in Ukraine ends, the debate tends to be brief. After eight months of fighting, most all the signs are pointing toward prolonged conflict.

NPR's A Martinez talks to John Kirby, White House national security coordinator for Strategic Communications, about the Russian bombardments, and expedited U.S. shipments of weapons and equipment.

A group of volunteers are spreading joy in Ukraine by organizing cleanup parties. Young Ukrainians blast music and dance as they clean the debris of obliterated homes.

Russia looks increasingly isolated on the world stage. The General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia's attempted annexation of Ukrainian territory and called on it to reverse the move.

Thousands of civilians have been killed in the war in Ukraine. Nasta Grycenko was among Monday's casualties after Russia hit areas across Ukraine. Her father says she shouldn't be a statistic.

The winners of this year's Nobel Peace Prize are recognized, the Nobel Committee said, for years of protecting the fundamental rights of citizens in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Russia says it is claiming parts of Ukraine, but facts on the ground say otherwise. Ukrainian troops continue a counteroffensive in the country's south and east that is upending the Kremlin's plans.

Dozens of American parents who were in the process of adopting children from Ukraine are stuck in limbo as the war with Russia grinds on with no end in sight.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is again raising the possibility of such an attack. Experts said the likelihood still remains low, though risks are rising.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the key railway hub is under his country's control. Russian forces had been using the rail lines to resupply their troops farther south in Ukraine.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Andrew Weiss of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about Russia annexing four Ukrainian territories and how that could escalate the war.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to PBS NewsHour's Simon Ostrovsky about what the earlier annexation of Crimea might suggest for what happens now for the next areas Russia is trying to annex.

Final results from so-called referendums in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine indicate overwhelming support for joining the Russian Federation. The voting is widely condemned as a sham.

NPR's A Martinez talks to Thomas de Waal of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about Russian-organized annexation votes that Ukraine's allies say violate international law.

As the U.N. General Assembly comes to a close, NPR's Leila Fadel asks Yale law professor Oona Hathaway how nations can unite in responding to Russia for its war against Ukraine.

Referendums began in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine today. The voting is illegal under both Ukrainian and international law. But that hasn't stopped Moscow from going through with it.

NPR's A Martinez talks to retired Col. Mark Cancian about what Putin's partial mobilization of the Russian military and attempts to annex Ukrainian territory tell us about the next phase of the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia will mobilize up to 300,000 additional troops to fight in Ukraine. Moscow appears poised to annex the Ukrainian territory it currently controls.

One Ukrainian woman planted flowers after Russia took over her town — to show she wasn't going anywhere. Now the Russian forces are gone and she and the town are trying to pick up the pieces.

The war in Ukraine is dominating this year's general assembly. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to address the world body about newly discovered graves in formerly Russian occupied territory.

The Ukrainian town of Balaklia was the first to be liberated as part of Ukraine's recent counteroffensive. The work to understand what happened there during six months of occupation is just beginning.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Ukrainian activist Hanna Hopko about her efforts leading a civil society delegation in Washington trying to lobby lawmakers to send more aid and weapons to Ukraine.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with political adviser Iuliia Mendel about her book, The Fight of Our Lives: My Time with Zelenskyy, Ukraine's Battle for Democracy and What it Means for the World.

In a counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces have claimed swaths in the east of the country, dealing a heavy blow to Russian forces as the war marks 200 days.

Ukrainians react to the gains made by Ukrainian forces in a military offensive carried out in recent days.

The head of the world's atomic watchdog warned that the reactors at Zaporizhzhia might have to be shut down. That would start a clock ticking at the site.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Thursday to announce more security aid to Ukraine.He was also there to signal support as Ukraine tries to push back Russian forces.

The first shipment of Ukrainian grain arrived in Ethiopia on Wednesday. But the delivery — six truckloads — is just a fraction of what is needed across the entire continent.

Six months into the war in Ukraine, thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced. Four-legged Ukrainians are also suffering, but there are groups working to help the animals.

With a strengthening dollar and rising commodity prices, developing nations are having a hard time paying their debts.

The United Nations is calling for a demilitarized zone around a nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.

A team of nuclear inspectors from the United Nations has made its way to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Southern Ukraine.

Some experts fear the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, could meltdown in a way similar to what happened in Fukushima, Japan, over a decade ago. What would that look like in a war zone?

In Ukraine's most popular summer destination, a 90-year-old grandmother encourages a rebellion against a war-time beach ban, swimming despite the threat of fines – and floating mines.

The government has sent evacuation orders to Ukraine's Donbas region but many remain. One sparsely open city has become a hub for Ukrainian military members taking a break from the front line.

Six months into the war in Ukraine, why should the U.S. continue to care and spend billions of dollars on the war when Europe is so ambivalent? And what do U.S. officials see as the end game?

The Pentagon is ramping up its support of Ukraine in its war against Russia. The Defense Department is sending another $3 billion to Ukraine. That brings total U.S. aid to more than $13 billion.

NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Ukrainian politician Volodymyr Omelyan, who left his job and family, and has been fighting against the Russians on the frontlines for the last six months.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Matilda Bogner, head of the United Nations Human Rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, about whether death tolls in Russia's war on Ukraine have been underestimated.

Aug. 24 marks the day when Ukraine's parliament vowed to separate from the Soviet Union in 1991. The date this year will also mark six months since Russia's invasion began.

The Russian invasion has taken a toll on Ukrainian metalworks — the country's second-largest industry — and there's still no deal to ship iron and steel products to customers.

A local journalist in small town New York and an aspiring writer in Eastern Ukraine discovered they had a lot more to learn from each other than either expected.

NPR's Juana Summers talks with Olena Pareniuk of the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine about the threat to the Zaporizhzhia power plant.

The families of Ukrainian soldiers imprisoned by Russian forces have embarked on a desperate search for information after a deadly explosion at the prison where the soldiers are kept.

A growing shortage for neon is driving up its prices by 5000%. Neon production became highly concentrated in post-Soviet states, such as Ukraine and Russia. The world is paying for that concentration.

Concern is growing over damage to a Ukrainian nuclear facility seized by Russians in March, which is reportedly currently under bombardment. Ukraine is seeking an international mission to the plant.

Concern is growing over damage to a Ukrainian nuclear facility seized by Russians in March, which is reportedly currently under bombardment. Ukraine is seeking an international mission to the plant.

Amnesty International has criticized Ukraine for setting up military bases in residential areas. Ukrainian officials say It's Russian forces that are putting Ukrainian civilians lives in jeopardy.

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Terry Virts, retired NASA astronaut and commander of the International Space Station, about Russia's decision to leave the ISS after 2024.

Turkey is part of NATO and keeps close ties with the West, but its president is on the way to Russia with some very specific requests.

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska was criticized for not looking ladylike in a recent Vogue photoshoot. Her supporters pushed back, creating an online campaign asking what it means to #SitLikeAGirl.

Could Ukraine's army retake the strategic southern city of Kherson? Officers and soldiers near the front line say the counter-offensive is already underway.

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Corinne Fleischer, the World Food Programme's Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe regional director, about what grain shipments from Ukraine means for some areas.

In Odessa, Ukraine is trying to launch ships filled with grain as part of deals brokered to address a global food shortage. Its ports have been closed since Russia invaded more than five months ago.

What it would actually take to send out Ukrainian grain. They need to bring in minesweepers, figure out shipping companies to use, assure no more missile attacks, sort out danger pay, and lots more.

The WNBA star took the stand in Russian court Wednesday to explain why she had vape cartridges in the first place, how they ended up in her luggage and what happened after they were discovered.

Russia's gas company Gazprom has once again reduced the flow of natural gas to Europe. To counter that move, the EU has agreed to reduce its gas usage by 15%. But that's easier said than done.

Russia says it will pull out of the International Space Station after 2024. This echoes intentions previously set by Russia and comes amid tensions with the U.S. and the West over the war in Ukraine.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., about her trip to Ukraine with a bipartisan Congressional delegation and meeting with President Zelenskyy.

Ukraine and Russia agreed to a UN-brokered deal on grain shipments out of the Black Sea that Turkey will oversee. The food supplies are badly needed around the globe.

A Ukrainian man is being forced to choose between the two: a wife and three children who have fled the country and aging parents who are trapped behind enemy lines.

As the war in Ukraine nears its sixth month, people in the northeastern city of Kharkiv are finding a new normal. Construction crews are cleaning up bombed buildings and people are returning to work.

Russia is fighting to conquer the entire Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. To help civilians escape, the Ukrainian railway runs a free evacuation train out of the east. Here's what it's like.

Soldiers from Chechnya, a Muslim territory, are part of the foreign fight against Russia in Ukraine. Russia brutally suppressed them in two wars, and their presence echoes old hatreds in Ukraine.

More than 20 people were killed when Russian missiles hit several buildings in Vinnytsia, a central city that has become a major logistical hub for humanitarian aid and military operations.

The brutal trench warfare-style fighting happening in eastern Ukraine is traumatizing soldiers. There are concerns in Ukraine about the psychological legacy it will leave behind.

Russia is pounding eastern Ukraine as it tries to consolidate its control of the entire Donbas region. To help get people the out, the Ukrainian rail service has added a special train from the Donbas.

Shinzo Abe, former Japanese prime minister who was killed July 11, championed for more robust defense and security policies. With current world events, those ideas are increasingly important in Japan.

Canceled concerts, lawsuits, existential turmoil. As Russia has cracked down on anti-war speech, the country's music scene reaches a particularly high pitch.

In a western Ukraine town that's refuge to people from the war in the east, a clown who is a refugee himself tries to keep up children's spirits.

President Zelenskyy has consolidated all TV platforms in Ukraine into one state broadcast and restricted political rivals. Political opposition fears such civil liberty constraints could continue.

Russian troops have taken Luhansk and are headed for Donetsk, pounding cities along the way. When Donetsk falls, which seems likely, Putin will have "liberated the Donbas." But will he be satisfied?

As people in Taiwan watch the war in Ukraine, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with veteran journalist Chris Horton about what they think it could mean for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Russia has won significant ground on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine but a growing number of experts say the growing costs to Moscow's military, economy and stature far outweigh the gains.

Leaders of the G-7 nations met in Germany and focused on the war in Ukraine. They talked about new missile defense systems for Kyiv and a proposal for a price cap for Russian oil.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Russian political scientist Ilya Matveev about the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy.

European Union leaders will meet Thursday in Brussels where they are expected to approve Ukraine as a candidate to join the EU — a process that is neither quick nor easy.

Ukraine has been collecting the bodies of dead Russians left behind pushed Russian forces back from Kharkiv weeks ago. Two brothers from an outside village are helping unbury the dead.

An overlooked corner of Ukraine is quietly playing a critical role in the country's efforts to import and export goods. Russia is trying to cut it off.

Hanna Hopko, a pro-democracy activist from Ukraine, traveled to Washington, D.C., to try and convince lawmakers to send Ukraine more aid. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly spoke with her to see if it's working.

Four European leaders are meeting Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in talks intended as a show of European unity. Also, the U.S. ambassador tells NPR she expects "a long, grinding, tough war."

The U.S. State Department says it is "aware of unconfirmed reports of two U.S. citizens captured in Ukraine." They are believed to among the thousands of foreigners who have gone to fight in Ukraine.

The leaders of Ukraine are gaming out where the war with Russia goes from here. One of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's top advisers at Kyiv's presidential compound weighed in on what Ukraine wants.

Inflation is the talk of the town in Nairobi, Kenya, just like it is in the United States. From gas to food to soap, here's how one African country is feeling the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The U.S. is supplying billions of dollars of weapons to Ukraine. Yet getting armament to the battlefield is challenging and Ukraine says it needs even more firepower to fight Russian forces.

Russia is warning foreign journalists that they could lose the right to stay unless the situation of Russian journalists in the U.S. improves.

Across the U.S., volunteers are stepping up to resettle Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion. In Maine, one Ukrainian man has taken in 11 people and plans to welcome more.

There's intense fighting in the east of Ukraine, new information on a Ukrainian city under Russian occupation, and a possible cholera outbreak in Mariupol.

The Wagner Group, known as "Putin's shadow army," has come to the world's attention because of the Ukraine war. Marat Gabidullin, who left Wagner after fighting in Syria, has written a book about it.

Ukraine's National Opera was built to celebrate Russian opera at the height of the imperial era. But the venue now represents a history of competing empires, censorship and survival.

Many civilians have fled the fighting in eastern Ukraine. Even as the fighting intensifies, some Ukrainians who remain are still trying to go about their normal lives.

Ukrainian officials have put up a display of destroyed Russian vehicles in front of the country's Foreign Ministry, intending to show the residents Kyiv and the world that Russia can be defeated.

NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with defense policy expert Andrew Exum about whether the U.S. and its allies will continue to endure the economic cost of supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

If you wanted to forget the Ukraine war by watching a little tennis, forget it. The war is affecting everything, including professional sports.

A 10th-century prince is a founding figure to Ukrainians, who call him Volodymyr, and to Russians, who call him Vladimir. This isn't just some minor historical tiff.

Poland and the United States have had a see-saw relationship over the years. But the war in Ukraine has drawn them closer and turned Poland into an indispensable ally.

President Biden pledged new advanced weapons to Ukraine as the 100-day mark since Russia's invasion nears. Biden reiterated that the U.S. will "stay the course" as the conflict drags on.

President Biden says in a guest essay in The New York Times that he's decided to provide Ukraine with more advanced rockets that will enable it to more precisely strike targets on the battlefield.

Belarusians who see their country's fate as linked to Ukraine's victory are joining an anti-Kremlin resistance that includes activists, ex-spies and a Belarusian brigade fighting for Ukraine.

Russian military ambitions have narrowed, but it's still pressing a major offensive in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, places from which Russian troops retreated are rapidly regaining a sense of normalcy.

In Ukraine, one of the country's richest men has set up his own battalion to fight against the Russian invasion. He funds, trains and leads the infantry unit on the front lines.

Many Ukrainians who have fled their country brought their animals along with them. Two Irish Setters played an instrumental role in their owners' making it to safety in France.

NPR spoke to five Ukrainian civilians who were detained, deported and subject to what human rights advocates call enforced disappearance.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Russian history professor Sergey Radchenko of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, about the state of the Russian economy after three months of war.

Even as conditions improve in Ukraine's second largest city, some people just outside Kharkiv continue living in basement bomb shelters.

Microsoft's global ubiquity gives its cybersecurity experts a unique window into the Russian cyberwar against Ukraine. The software giant is involved in both monitoring and combatting attacks.

As Russia's war in Ukraine enters its fourth month, European countries are scrambling to wean themselves off of Russian gas. The Baltic nation of Lithuania has become the first to do so.

To combat Russia's larger military, Ukraine has turned to creative tactics, from low-tech to high-tech. You could call them "war hacks." And many seem to be working.

NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer talks with Lori Hinnant, investigative correspondent with the Associated Press, about the story of a Ukrainian medic who recorded footage of her time in Mariupol.

Behind some of the success of the Ukrainian military against Russia is a little-known U.S. initiative, one built around state national guards.

The U.S. wants to weaken Russia and help Ukraine win, while some in Europe are looking for a diplomatic solution.

The court gave a life sentence to a 21-year-old Russian army sergeant for shooting and killing an unarmed Ukrainian man during the first days of the war.

NPR's Ari Shapiro visits a border crossing between Poland and Ukraine to chronicle the journeys of Ukrainians returning to their homeland.

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with the mayor of Warsaw, Poland, about how his city is managing the influx of Ukrainian refugees. He says Warsaw's population went up by 15% since the outset of the conflict.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Ukrainian economist Yuriy Gorodnichenko about the cost of rebuilding Ukraine after the war.

NPR's Ari Shapiro spends a day at the Medyka border crossing to see how the flow of refugees has changed over the nearly three months since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. is using its presidency of the UN Security Council to focus on food security, as much of the world worries about the ripple effects from the war in Ukraine.

The Senate approved about $40 billion in aid to Ukraine in a largely bipartisan vote. The House has already passed the bill, and it now goes to President Biden to sign.

Sweden and Finland officially applied to join NATO, but Turkey's president may oppose their acceptance into the military alliance. There is an international push to resolve Turkey's objections.

More than 6 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded. Not all of them are Ukrainian. Some citizens of African countries have found that the doors of Europe are much less open to them.

A Russian sergeant pleads guilty for killing a Ukrainian civilian in the war's first war crimes case. Such cases usually occur after a war ends. Ukraine wants to prosecute while the evidence is fresh.