State of the World from NPR

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  Pacific marine monuments lose environmental protections 12.08.2026 8мин

  The Trump administration is opening federally-protected marine areas in the Pacific Ocean to commercial fishing. In rarely granted access, NPR visited Palmyra, a remote, low-lying atoll with one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Count Binface runs against Reform Party’s Farage in UK election 11.08.2026 5мин

  A trash-can wearing comedian is far-right Nigel Farage’s main rival in this week’s Parliamentary election in the British town of Clacton-on-Sea. Farage is the incumbent, and his campaign finances are under investigation. Polls show Farage is still likely to win, but that Count Binface — a spoof candidate who wears a garbage pail on his head — may get around 20-percent of the vote. Some say Binface’s relative popularity is a reflection of voter disaffection.  Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Syria’s archaeological riches face threat of looting 10.08.2026 7мин

  Curators and archaeologists risked their lives to hide and protect Syria’s cultural treasures during its civil war. Some archaeological sites still face plunder by looters.  Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Why does Switzerland have so many nuclear bunkers? 07.08.2026 7мин

  Switzerland might be thought of as the land of snow-capped alps and incredibly good chocolate. But it is also a world leader in underground nuclear bunkers with more than 370,000 of them. There are enough for each of Switzerland’s nine million citizens to be guaranteed a space in one. But why? We go to the alpine country to find out.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  The Iran war hangs over a major Shiite pilgrimage 06.08.2026 5мин

  It is one of the largest gatherings of people in the world. More than 20 million Shia Muslim pilgrims gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala this week for the annual commemoration of the 7th Century killing of a central figure of their faith. Iran is mostly Shia and this year greater numbers of Iranians participated in the pilgrimage, many say because of the killing of their modern-day religious leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by airstrikes in the early days of the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran. We go to Karbala to hear from some Iranian pilgrims.  Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Israeli settler activity increases in the West Bank 05.08.2026 8мин

  The West Bank is a Palestinian territory between Israel and Jordan that been under Israeli military occupation since 1967. For decades Israeli Jewish settlers have been creating settlements there, taking more and more of the West Bank away from Palestinians. This has the support of Israel’s far right government, which faces a possible loss of power in an October election, and that’s led to a frenzy of settlement activity. The government has legalized past settlements under Israeli law and approved new ones in areas that are supposed to be under Palestinian civil control. We go to the West Bank, where Palestinian residents say they feel like they’re being encircled by settlers trying to take their land, sometimes violently.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Why Russia’s strikes on Ukraine are more intense; Germany’s song of the summer 04.08.2026 8мин

  Ukraine’s defense forces have beaten back many types of Russian attacks during more than four years of war. But recently there has been a glaring weakness in their defenses: from Russian ballistic missiles. Those kinds of attacks are repelled by U.S.-made Patriot air defense missiles. Ukraine is desperately short of them and even the U.S. supplies of Patriot missiles are dwindling. We go to Kyiv to hear what the shortage means for Ukraine.And an extremely catchy German song has gone viral in part because its lyrical refrain sounds goofy to ears used to English. We learn about the positive message behind those lyrics.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Looking back at the deadly protests in Iran 03.08.2026 8мин

  Seven months ago, Iran unleashed a deadly crackdown on protesters who were demanding an end to the 47-year-old theocratic regime. At least 7,000 people were confirmed killed over the course of two days, according human rights groups say, although they warn the death toll is likely closer to 20,000.  Those events were cited as one of the U.S. government’s justifications for going to war with Iran— a war that is still dragging on.Internet blackouts and continued fear of government retribution have made getting a full picture of the crackdown difficult. We try to get a better understanding of the extent of the killings by hearing from some eyewitnesses.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Abandoned island in Venice lagoon saved as green nature retreat 31.07.2026 5мин

  When residents of Venice, Italy, learned that a beloved, uninhabited island was being eyed for development, they organized to save it. A year on, this citizen brigade is transforming the island of Poveglia into a rare public green space. Locals are now able to wander its newly created paths. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Wildfires threaten France. Cubans look to Brazil for new home 30.07.2026 8мин

  Firefighters have been working day and night to extinguish fires that have devoured more than 100,000 acres around Bordeaux. Cubans have historically looked to the U.S. to escape their country’s economic woes. But with legal immigration pathways to the U.S. narrowing, some Cubans are increasingly looking south — to Brazil.  Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  United Nations’ new Ebola coordinator, and choosing a new U.N. secretary-general 29.07.2026 7мин

  Veteran humanitarian official Julien Harneis will coordinate the U.N.’s response to the Ebola outbreak in central Africa. The United Nations also begins to choose its next secretary-general.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  A Zulu-language Netflix drama is a surprise global binge-watch 28.07.2026 5мин

  Netflix’s The Polygamist, a Zulu-language drama from South Africa, has become a worldwide hit. The series about a wealthy family torn apart by a husband’s secret second life has drawn millions of viewers and sparked conversations far beyond the country’s borders.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Pakistani researchers find link between the microbiome and premature birth 27.07.2026 6мин

  A single bacteria in a pregnant person’s microbiome can signal whether their baby is at risk for premature birth. Lower levels of a bacteria called Prevotella copri indicated a greater chance a woman would not carry her pregnancy to full term. Researchers in Pakistan called the discovery a “Eureka moment” for them.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Retracing the route of ancient Pacific voyagers 24.07.2026 4мин

  Thousands of years ago, people left what is now Taiwan on boats to roam and settle on islands throughout the Pacific. This summer a group of Indigenous Taiwanese modern-day voyagers decided to recreate the journey in a large rowboat from one of Taiwan’s islands all the way to the Philippines in an effort to reconnect with their ancient seafaring heritage. We go to the island where they prepare for their journey.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  In Israel, a strong challenger for political change 23.07.2026 5мин

  Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is facing a major political test this fall. After three years of war and growing public frustration, a former military chief is emerging as an unlikely challenger, offering voters a different vision for the country’s leadership. We look at how an outsider with deep security credentials is tapping into a desire for change — and what his rise could mean for Netanyahu’s political future.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Migrating swifts swirl in the skies of Jerusalem 22.07.2026 6мин

  Swifts have nested in Jerusalem’s Western Wall since it was built over 2,000 years ago. But that ancient site is now surrounded by a modern city. And the birds are finding help adapting from an unexpected source: an Israeli paraglider.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Pakistan’s role in brokering Iran deal; will Iranian hardliners let it happen? 21.07.2026 9мин

  The U.S. and Iran have resumed striking each other for more that a week, ever since the collapse of a ceasefire deal over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan, the country that helped mediate the first ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is being asked to play the same role again. We look at how this peace role represents a remarkable turn of fortune for Pakistan.And if Pakistan is able to negotiate a new ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, will Iranian hardliners allow it to go into place? Do they have the clout to stop it? We examine were hardliners fall in the current Iranian regime.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Great Britain gets yet another new prime minister 20.07.2026 5мин

  The UK gets its seventh prime minister in the last decade. In a familiar ceremony, Keir Starmer, who was ousted by his own Labour Party tendered his resignation to King Charles at Buckingham Palace. The party’s new leader, Andy Burnham, was then given an audience with the King who invited Burnham to form a new government. We learn about Burnham, whose political career has been shaped by England’s North-South divide.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Does control of the Strait of Hormuz set a worldwide precedent? 17.07.2026 5мин

  The reasons given for the U.S. launching a war with Iran have shifted over time. But regardless of why the war started, the fighting between the U.S. and Iran is now largely over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war, about a fifth of the world’s oil passed freely through the narrow international waterway. Now Iran controls the strait. We look at this threat to the freedom of navigation and whether it sets a a dangerous precedent for other waterways. This episode is Global Affairs Correspondent Jackie Northam’s last story for NPR, she is retiring. Jackie has covered world events for NPR for decades from nearly every continent and just about every global conflict. You can hear Jackie reflecting on her remarkable career this recent episode of the Consider This podcast.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  The U.S. track record for wars in the Middle East 16.07.2026 6мин

  The United States has been at war for more than 20 of the last 25 years. Afghanistan, Iraq and now Iran. Three major conflicts, all in the same region, and none of those conflicts have gone nearly as well as U.S Presidents said they would. We look at why the U.S. is so often at war and why it is finding them so hard to win.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy