682 episodes

Immerse yourself in the most compelling and consequential stories from around the globe. The world is changing in big ways every day. State of the World from NPR takes you where the news is happening — and explains why it matters. With bureaus spanning the globe, NPR reporters bring you facts and context from the ground so you can cut through the noise of disinformation. NPR's State of the World, a human perspective on global stories in just a few minutes, every weekday. State of the World was previously State of Ukraine. You'll continue to hear Ukraine coverage here, along with other international stories.Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to State of the World+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/stateoftheworld

State of the World from NPR State of the World

    • News
    • 4.2 • 324 Ratings

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Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Immerse yourself in the most compelling and consequential stories from around the globe. The world is changing in big ways every day. State of the World from NPR takes you where the news is happening — and explains why it matters. With bureaus spanning the globe, NPR reporters bring you facts and context from the ground so you can cut through the noise of disinformation. NPR's State of the World, a human perspective on global stories in just a few minutes, every weekday. State of the World was previously State of Ukraine. You'll continue to hear Ukraine coverage here, along with other international stories.Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to State of the World+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/stateoftheworld

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Invasion Worries in Eastern Europe

    Invasion Worries in Eastern Europe

    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.

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    • 10 min
    An Agonizing Choice: Whether to Flee Southern Gaza Ahead of Assault

    An Agonizing Choice: Whether to Flee Southern Gaza Ahead of Assault

    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/mideastupdates

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    • 5 min
    A Close Look at China's Changing Economy

    A Close Look at China's Changing Economy

    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 meant far less optimism about the future.

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    • 8 min
    Germany's Looong Love Affair with the Fax Machine May Be Coming to an End

    Germany's Looong Love Affair with the Fax Machine May Be Coming to an End

    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.

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    • 4 min
    Crucial Weapons Head to Ukraine; And Horses Jam London's Rush Hour

    Crucial Weapons Head to Ukraine; And Horses Jam London's Rush Hour

    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.

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    • 7 min
    The Story of One Child Living in Gaza

    The Story of One Child Living in Gaza

    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

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    • 9 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
324 Ratings

324 Ratings

Ricky Tenderkiss ,

State of Ukraine podcast

I’m a little confused … did you change the name of the State of Ukraine podcast to, instead, State of the World? Or was State of the World a pre-existing podcast, and you folded State of Ukraine into it?

All I know is I used to listen to State of Ukraine, and as of today (2013.10.12) it appears instead to be named State of the World. So if I continue listening to episodes chronologically, will I be hearing only State of Ukraine podcasts up until the episodes of October 2023? or will I be hearing old State of Ukraine episodes interpolated with old State of the World podcasts?

And is the implication of the name-change that Russia’s war on Ukraine is over?? Because clearly it is not. Or is the implication that war is simply the state of the world now? That would seem like an unduly pessimistic assumption on your part.

I guess I’m a little annoyed. There’s probably some bureaucratic, money-driven, “engagement and retention” rationalization for the name-change … but why not leave this podcast’s title alone? If you wanted a broader podcast of international news coverage, why not roll out that podcast while keeping this one as it is?

Just baffling. Love the journalism, but all that your bean-counters and marketing strategists do invariably results in listener annoyance.

Barrymjones ,

Downturn since rebrand

I don't like the fluff episodes about horses loose in London, fax machines in Germany, etc.

I prefer a more focused podcast feed. I have lots of podcast options. If I wanted a fluffy podcast, I'd go get a fluffy podcast. Please focus.

AppReviewFTW ,

Bring back State of Ukraine

State of Ukraine was an excellent podcast that kept listeners up to date on a variety of topics pertaining to life in Ukraine and Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine. NPR rebranded the podcast as State of the World, which provides far less information about Ukraine. World events are important, of course, but NPR has many other ways to share that information with listeners. I only listen to episodes about Ukraine, and wish there was more coverage.

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