State of the World from NPR

Brazil’s election turns on the fight against crime

Crime is at the top of voters’ concerns in Brazil heading into Sunday’s national elections. Many are calling for tougher measures — part of a broader rightward shift acro

Remembering London’s Pearly King of Peckham

In mother-of-pearl suits, the Pearly Kings used to canvass East London for charity. The tradition of the Pearly Kings stretches back to the 1800s, when this area of the c

U.S. military officially leaves Iraq

American forces made a formal exit from Iraq with a low-key ceremony. It marks the end of an era that began over 23 years ago with President George Bush’s “shock and awe”

U.S. demands action on Nicaraguan decision to end elections

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega made a bombshell announcement this summer that he’s ending national elections. Now, the U.S is pushing leaders in the Americas to confr

Turkey’s quest for Mideast power

Turkey’s burgeoning defense industry, soft cultural power and role as conflict mediator are growing its influence in the Middle East. As dynamics with Iran, Gaza and the

Remembering Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour

Born a year before Israel's creation, Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour spent his life painting the faces and landscapes of Israeli occupation. He died in August at age 7

The pope visits France. Barbeque unites on South Africa’s Heritage Day

Pope Leo XIV makes the first papal state visit to France in nearly 20 years. The pope will preside over Mass in the heart of Paris, meet with sex abuse survivors and deli

Xi Jinping's White House visit: Shifting Chinese views & skirting Iran oil sanctions

Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting with President Trump, we examine shifting views of America in China. Also — how Beijing is circumventing U.S. sanctions on

Unsafe medical practices drive a rise in child HIV cases in Pakistan

In Pakistan, dozens of parents who brought their children to hospitals for routine care say their kids now have HIV. At least six children have died. Parents accuse hospi

What role does the United Nations play now?

World leaders are again gathering in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly. This will be the last meeting of the body for the current U.N. secretary gen

A Russian election and a warning to Europe about Russian aggression

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk says that Russia is planning “accidental” strikes on countries supporting Ukraine. This comes after a number of incidents, blamed on R

Russia is blackmailing the families of Ukrainian POWs

Russia is believed to be holding thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians as prisoners of war. In addition, Russia is tormenting the families of these prisoners by c

The romance between Canada and the European Union gets serious

For decades, the European Union and Canada have each had strong bonds with the United States. In trade, diplomacy, military cooperation, their close relationships with th

Why are people in Turkey hoarding gold?

In Turkey, gold is gifted throughout life's major milestones and stashing it safely at home is also a time honored practice. Turks have long used gold to safeguard their

A Palestinian writer’s secret effort to preserve his diary

Raja Shehadeh, one of the world’s leading Palestinian writers, has been on a mission to save his most personal work: his diaries documenting decades of Palestinian life u

The long tail of the 9/11 attacks for one Afghan family

The 25th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the United States are being observed across the U.S. Those events left marks on countless lives across this co

We go to the part of southern Lebanon that Israel now controls

Israel launched a ground invasion of neighboring Lebanon in March, after the Iran-backed group Hezbollah ramped up attacks following the U.S. and Israel war in Iran. Isra

What is the future of U.S. military bases in the Middle East?

When the U.S. and Israel launched a war in Iran over six months go, Iran retaliated by blocking shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also launched counterattacks on U.S

The UK pushes back on Israeli settlements; a far-right win in Germany

The United Kingdom announced a major reset of its relations with Israel. And the country’s foreign minister used surprisingly strong language in explaining the move. The

Encore: The promise and frustration of a future economic powerhouse in West Africa

In this encore episode, we examine the booming population along coastal corridor from the cities Lagos to Abidjan.  It has the potential to be a bustling West African eco