State of Ukraine

In the early 1960s, U Thant, a practicing Buddhist from a remote town in Burma, became the first non-Western secretary-general of the United Nations. He immediately faced unfolding crises around the world. We talk with U Thant's grandson about his new book “Peacemaker: U Thant and the Forgotten Quest for a Just World.”Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

More than a dozen Russian drones entered the airspace of Poland, triggering NATO to scramble fighter jets to shoot them down. The drones came as part of a larger wave Russia sent to attack neighboring Ukraine and it was the first time in the history of NATO that alliance fighters engaged enemy aircraft in allied airspace. We get the latest on the incident, and hear about Article 4 of the NATO which Poland has evoked in response. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

For the first time, Israel launched an airstrike in Qatar, bombing a building in Doha that houses Hamas political leadership. Israel says the targets were complicit in planning the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and in directing Hamas movements in the war in Gaza. We get reaction from the U.S. and the Mideast region and ask what this development might mean in the effort towards a Gaza cease-fire.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

An Italian boy who died at age fifteen in 2006 becomes the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. He was canonized over the weekend. This saint from the smartphone generation was known for using technology to spread the faith. We go to his tomb in a hilltop village in Italy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the Trump administration is at war with the drug cartels and a recent deadly strike on a boat from Venezuela was just the beginning. Some countries in Central and South America are expressing unease, while others are willing to partner in the effort- despite questions about the legalities of the administration's actions.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A 50% U.S. tariff on Brazilian coffee just kicked in — and it's shaking up global supply chains. As American roasters scramble for alternatives, Colombia is cashing in. But how long will the beans — and prices — hold?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

China holds a military parade that is about more that commemorating the end of World War II. We hear about which world leaders attended the ceremony and the message China is trying to convey about its role in the world.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Israeli military has begun a push into Gaza City, with an expected ground invasion and forcible evacuation of nearly a million people living there. Many residents are already fleeing. But with the vast majority of Gaza declared off-limits by Israel, where are refugees able to go? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In this encore episode, we hear about the return of wolves to Europe.  After being hunted to near extinction, they have made a population comeback in recent decades with the help of conservation efforts. Now, the country with the most wolves in Europe is Italy. Our correspondent in Rome sets out for the Italian forest with an organization that takes small groups to try to see wolves in the wild.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Europe is the world's fastest warming continent with temperatures there increasing at twice the average global rate. That is melting Europe's glaciers, which may disappear by the end of the century, forever altering the continent's rivers with ripple effects on shipping. We go to the water's source in the Swiss Alps to understand the changes taking place.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

When the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took control, China stepped in with a sizable investment to develop oil fields. But now the Afghan Government has cut the contract and the Chinese firm says the Taliban took some of its workers hostage.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Nearly two years into the war in Gaza, UNICEF estimates that more than 50,000 Palestinian children have been killed or injured. We meet a doctor in nearby Lebanon where he and his team are racing to heal the handful of kids they can reach.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump has made clear he's interested in ending the war Russia has waged on Ukraine. After a flurry of diplomatic meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a variety of European leaders, is the prospect of peace near? We hear from NPR's correspondent in Moscow and a national security correspondent from the New York Times on whether progress has been made.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Ireland, the Catholic Church once ran homes for unwed mothers. Until recently the church dominated life there and pregnancy outside marriage was considered shameful. Behind one of these homes a ghastly discovery has recently been made and is now being unearthed. It was a secret most people in the town knew about, but no one took any action until recently. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A U.N. backed panel of experts declares a famine in the northern part of Gaza, the first time there has been a confirmed famine in the Middle East. We hear about the conditions that lead to the declaration. And Hamas has endorsed a new proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, while Israel is threatening a new assault into Gaza City. We hear about the pressure Hamas is facing from Arab countries while it seeks to ensure its own survival.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After banning a pro-Palestinian protest group and labeling members terrorists, the UK has been arresting hundreds of protesters at weekly rallies, mostly elderly people. Critics say it endangers freedom of speech and assembly. And Mexico City is not known for its tropical fruits. But climate change is causing some surprising things to grow in local gardens.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In the Gaza Strip thousands of exhausted, hungry people seek meager food at a distribution site in the north. Those lucky enough to get one of the sacks of white flour given out are called “white walkers”, a reference to zombie-like characters in the television show "Game of Thrones". But many leave empty-handed and simply seeking the food aid is dangerous and often deadly. We go to one of these sites to see the dangers hungry Palestinians will face in search of food.You can see a short video version of this report here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and seven European leaders met at the White House to talk about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. The meeting followed a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week. We dive into the proposals to end the war and how each side might react to them. We hear from NPR's correspondent in Moscow and Ukraine's former foreign minister.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A long lasting drought and severe heat this summer, compounded with government mismanagement of the country's dams have led to an impending water crisis in Iran. Officials are warning that the approximately ten million residents of the country's capital, Tehran, might run out of water in a matter of weeks. We hear how this has happened and what it means for Iranians.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in WWII, the legacy of a biological warfare unit still haunts. And human rights activists are alarmed by the Trump administration's changing focus. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It's been four years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban's return to power. Life for certain groups has deteriorated significantly. But the Trump administration says Afghanistan's conditions have improved in recent years to the point where sending Afghan nationals BACK does not pose a threat to their safety.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

All eyes are on Alaska ahead of President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting there on Friday. We revisit the history of Russia's sale of the Alaskan territory to the U.S.. NPR's Greg Myre describes how some Russians still question whether Alaska is truly American.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Syria's trying to emerge from a multi-layered financial crisis since opposition fighters toppled the regime late last year and formed a government. It's been given a boost by the US lifting most sanctions, but efforts are hampered by a lack of liquidity.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

EU foreign ministers meet ahead of Friday's Trump-Putin talks in Alaska, with Brussels insisting any peace deal must include Ukraine. And Al Jazeera's Anas al-Sharif was killed in an Israeli airstrike that also took out the broadcaster's crew in Gaza City.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Much of the attention on the world's plunging birth rate is on east Asian countries like Japan and South Korea. But Latin American countries, like Chile, are also seeing a decline in fertility. We go to Chile's capital to understand the personal decisions behind the countries plummeting birth rate trend.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A photo of an emaciated child in Gaza has gone viral, with many in Israel claiming it depicts false information. Our producer in Gaza meets the child and his family, we hear about how he is doing now and about the food insecurity many in Gaza are facing.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Africa's most populous country more than a third of residents have no access to electricity. Even those connected to the nation's crumbling power grid cannot rely on it. And the situation isn't improving. We go to Nigeria to see how people cope with the lack of access to power.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A Palestinian activist who helped make the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land" was shot dead in a suspected Israeli settler attack in the occupied West Bank. We go to his community to hear about the man and the incident that lead to his death.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Trump Administration's worldwide tariff wars continue. A top priority for Trump has been resetting U.S. trade relations and earlier this year his administration had vowed “90 deals in 90 days”. But as the August 1st deadline came and went, what emerged wasn't a flurry of deals but a wave of new tariffs. We hear from reporters around the world about how countries are reacting to the news and what the impact could be.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

With anniversary of Jane Austen's birth approaching in December, her fans are donning gowns and tailcoats at costume balls across Britain.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The threat of 50% US tariffs on some goods have Brazilian growers and producers are on edge. Heavy metal hero Ozzy Osbourne has a hometown farewell in Birmingham, England.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump wants to bring shipbuilding back to the U.S. to counter China and boost American jobs. The ambitious goal will require rebuilding infrastructure and retraining a workforce. And in Paris, twenty years of discouraging car traffic and planting trees is yielding cleaner air and revitalized river banks and public spaces.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mermaids, giants and huge eyes look up from the waters near Talamone, Italy. It's one fisherman's way of protecting fishing grounds from the damage of trawling nets. Artists' sculptures are sunk to the bottom of the Mediterranean sea along with concrete blocks to break the nets of the trawlers that devastate marine life.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Doctors warn that even with immediate food aid, the toll of malnutrition and starvation on children in Gaza may already be permanent. And we hear the Venezuelans deported from the U.S. to El Salvador describe beatings, sexual abuse, and near-total isolation inside the notorious CECOT mega prison.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A deepening hunger crisis is gripping Gaza, with more than 120 deaths from starvation reported — most of them children. As Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepens and ceasefire talks stall, French President Emmanuel Macron says his country will formally recognize a Palestinian state— becoming the first G7 nation to do so.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel warns Gazans that a visit to the sea could cost their lives, denying them a rare refuge and relief from heat. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Concedes to Protesters' Demand that Anti-Corruption Watchdogs Remain Independent.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The southern African nation's garment industry is being gutted by U.S. tariffs. And United Nations peacekeeping and UNICEF are amongst the agencies facing major cuts after a new U.S. funding rollback.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Gaza, one of the last relatively safe zones is now under fire, as Israel expands its military ground operation into the central city of Deir al-Balah. And we visit the tiny desert village in Chile that fills with music for Fiesta de La Tirana.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Many injured in Gaza while seeking food at distribution sites are sent to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. NPR speaks with Dr. Nick Maynard, a British surgeon volunteering there.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

China has nearly cornered the market in rare earth minerals, which are a necessary component to much of our technology today. But China sources some of those rare earths and other heavy metals from neighboring Myanmar. And the ramped up in production there is causing downstream environmental concerns in Thailand. We go to Thailand to understand the issue.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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The U.S. once controlled the market on rare earth minerals, sought after for the production of cell phones, computers, electric and hybrid vehicles, and more. But in the last few decades, China has cornered that market and surpassed the US. We explore how.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy