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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.

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

In this encore episode we look at the decision to have children. 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.

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Encore: Why is Chile’s Birth Rate Plummeting?

In this encore episode, we take a look at keepsakes. Clearing out a closet, attic or garage can be a chore. Old photographs, clothes and books can create clutter, or take up space that’s sometimes needed for something else. But every so often, the heirlooms or mementos that you find retain some value: if that’s emotional value, it can be hard to part with them. If it’s financial, that can make it easier, as Willem Marx hoped it would be with his childhood stamp collection in London. 

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Encore: Childhood Stamp Collection Opened a Reporter’s Eyes to the World

German surfers are not stoked after one of the world’s largest inland waves, in a river in Munich, disappeared following a city dredging project. Now the community is uniting to bring it back. Our correspondent investigates.

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Surf’s Down in Munich

In China, two economic realities exist side by side. The country's fast-growing technology sector leads the world in some aspects, yet prospects for the average Chinese worker remain dim. We take a look at both sides of the economic picture.

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China’s Split-Screen Economy

Top U.S. and Ukrainian officials said they are making progress toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war. But European allies feel they've been left out of the plan, which they say placates Russia. We get reaction from Ukrainians on the state of negotiations and from a German diplomat on what the plan is missing

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How are Negotiations for a Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine Going?

During the more than decade-long civil war in Syria, millions were displaced in the country and millions more fled abroad as refugees. It’s been almost a year since the war ended and many Syrians are starting to come home. 

Some have found their houses destroyed but others have found strangers have been living in their homes, sometimes for years. We go to Syria to see how locals are dealing with the thorny issue of ownership after war.

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Untangling Home Ownership in Syria After a Long War

Venezuela's leaders are under increasing pressure as U.S. warships stage off the South American country's Caribbean coast. The region is on edge as the U.S. weighs military action. We look at Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro’s ability to stay in power over the years and we hear from Venezuelans on the border with Colombia about what they think of the situation.

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The U.S. Escalates Pressure on Venezuela

The U.N. climate conference is being held this month in Brazil. The U.S. is conspicuously absent, but China is there. We look at how these two countries are taking opposite paths on renewable energy— China is expanding it exponentially while the U.S. is investing in fossil fuels. We look at what these decisions mean for the climate and for these countries’ economies.

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China, the U.S. and the World’s Energy Future

Since the Gaza ceasefire began, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has received blowback from members of his ruling coalition but also an in-person boost from President Trump. And even while he’s on trial for corruption, Netanyahu is gearing up to run for reelection. Our correspondent in Tel Aviv takes a look at Netanyahu’s political present and future.

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What’s Next for Israel’s Prime Minister?

Voters in Ecuador overwhelmingly voted not to allow foreign military bases to return to the country. The Trump Administration had hoped to use Ecuador to support U.S. military activity in the region. And it’s happening against the backdrop of frequent U.S. military strikes against alleged drug boats. Supporters of the national referendum wanted help to stem soaring violence from drug gangs using it as a key transit hub. We go to the Ecuadoran coast where fishermen try to make a living in the face of extortion by drug gangs and now contend with the threat of strikes by the U.S. military.

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Fishermen in Ecuador Contend with Drug Gangs and U.S. Military Strikes

NPR's Charles Maynes in Moscow tells us about two significant developments between Russia and Ukraine. First, Russia announces it is backing out of a deal allowing Ukraine to export grain to world markets. And a key bridge connecting the Russian mainland and Russian-annexed Crimea was attacked, apparently by Ukraine.

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Russia pulls out of a grain deal and another attack on an important bridge

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