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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.

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State of the World from NPR

When Oscar Wilde was jailed for, "gross indecency," a 19th century euphemism for gay sex, his library card was revoked. 130 years later, the British Library has re-issued it to his grandson.

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Author Oscar Wilde Gets Back His Library Card Over A Century After His Death

Migrants travel by boat for hundreds of miles from Africa to reach Spain’s Canary Islands. After surviving the dangerous crossing, many are stranded for months and unable to work. 

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A Dangerous Sea Journey Was Just the Start of One Migrant’s Ordeal

In a deeply personal postcard from NPR’s Emmanuel Akinwotu, we go the funeral of his venerated grandfather in Nigeria. It was a huge celebration of life, with music and dance. However, the family was confronted with extortion and exploitation at the gravesite. It’s an all too common occurrence, one that amplifies the grief of many Nigerians. 

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An Adored Grandfather’s Funeral Exposes Painful Realities of a Beloved Country

Nearly 2000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli prisons were released into Gaza and the occupied West Bank as part of phase one of the ceasefire deal. All 20 surviving Israeli hostages were freed by Hamas after spending more than two years in captivity in Gaza. We hear reaction from Gaza and Tel Aviv.

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Israel Exchanges Palestinian Prisoners, Detainees for Hostages in Gaza

The kiwi, an adorable flightless bird from New Zealand, is disappearing, largely because of invasive species brought to the country’s islands by humans. So New Zealand has set a goal of exterminating rats, possums and other invasive animals that threaten the country’s biodiversity. 

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The Ambitious Effort to Save New Zealand’s Iconic Bird

Italy’s Campi Flegrei volcano is depicted in Greek and Roman mythology as the entrance to the underworld. Its eruptions thousands of years ago blocked out the sun, turning summer into winter. And now the volcano is stirring in a way it hasn’t for centuries. We go to the volcano outside Naples to understand its new activity.

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Is Italy’s Super Volcano Getting Ready to Erupt?

Israel and Hamas have agreed on the "first phase" of a Gaza ceasefire deal, raising the possibility that the war may now be over. We hear from two of our correspondents in the region who have covered the entire war about the details in the plan and reactions to the announcement in Israel and in Gaza. And an interview with a Israeli man whose cousin’s remains are still in Gaza, about how families of hostages are feeling in this moment.

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A Deal Emerges for Peace in Gaza and the Release of Hostages

We continue our look at the ramifications of the two years of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. We go to southern Lebanon where demolitions and attacks on towns near the boarder with Israel continue even after a cease-fire between the two countries was put in place. 

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Destruction Continues in Southern Lebanon

On October 7, 2023, a surprise attack from Hamas-led militants in Gaza became the deadliest day in Israeli history. Israel’s ensuing war in Gaza has been the deadliest and most destructive Palestinians have ever endured. We look at the heavy human costs born by Israelis and Palestinians over the last two years. 

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Two Years After an Attack that Shook the Mideast, What are the Consequences?

France’s prime minister resigns with his government having been in power for only 18 hours. The country has had five prime ministers in two years, and the political crisis facing President Emmanuel Macron and a divided parliament is deepening. This uncertainty is having an effect on the European Union’s second-largest economy. Our correspondent in Paris explains the situation.

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Political Gridlock in France

Israel's Defense Minister was fired last week by Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu who said that trust had "eroded" between them. The now former defense minister met with families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and gave his thoughts on what Israel can still achieve in Gaza. We hear what was said.

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A Frank Assessment of Israel's Goals in Gaza From the Former Defense Minister

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