State of the World from NPR

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World Cup firsts for Iran and Uzbekistan Jun 22, 2026

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Now that World Cup games have taken over nearly every television around the globe, today we bring you two stories of World Cup firsts in this year’s tournament. Uzbekistan is the first Central Asian country to appear in the tournament, and we go there to find that their achievement is not an accident and may be a sign of bigger changes underway.
And Iran is the first team to play in a host country it is at war with, but while their games are in the U.S., they are being forced to stay and train in Tijuana, Mexico. We go to that city to hear how Mexicans feel about the arrangement.
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India’s plans for a remote island paradise Jun 19, 2026

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India plans to build a major port, airport and town on pristine, remote Great Nicobar Island. Supporters say it could boost trade and jobs, but critics worry about environmental damage.
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A Ukrainian drone team hitting targets deep inside Russia Jun 18, 2026

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Ukraine recently launched one of the biggest attacks on Moscow since Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country began. Hundreds of long-range drones were sent towards the Russian capital.
This attack illustrates a paradigm shift in the conflict: Ukraine has seized the advantage even though Ukrainian forces are far outnumbered by the the Russian military. They’re doing it largely with drones, like the ones used to attack Moscow.
We’ll hear from our correspondent in Moscow about what was targeted and we meet one of the Ukrainian military units that conducts those kinds of drone strikes.
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How do Iranians feel about the deal with the U.S.? Jun 17, 2026

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We’re learning more about the deal between the U.S. and Iran that’s aims to end hostilities and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. It’s called a Memorandum of Understanding, and it’s a preliminary agreement to set up negotiations for a final deal. Major issues still need to be worked out in those negotiations like the fate of Iran’s nuclear program and lifting U.S. sanctions.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, President Trump said it’s a very strong deal. But he also threatened to continue bombing if he is unhappy about it’s implementation. But how do Iranians feel about this deal? We hear from hardliners, Iranians who oppose their government, and from a former diplomat who once represented Iran in nuclear talks.
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A controversial resort project in Albania linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Jun 16, 2026

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President Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner, are planning to develop a luxury resort on a beautiful stretch of Albania’s coastline. But there is a growing protest movement against the project, which is on public land and many Albanians view it as government corruption. And the identities some partners involved in the development are hard to find. We go to the Adriatic coast to learn more about the project.
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Ebola outbreak strains health system in eastern Congo Jun 15, 2026

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In eastern Congo’s Ituri province, a new Ebola outbreak is testing an already fragile health system. In the city of Bunia, hospitals are overwhelmed or shut down after suspected infections, while health workers race to contain the virus.
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Ukraine’s innovative use of ground drones on the battlefield Jun 12, 2026

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Ukraine’s use of cutting edge drone technology is turning the tide in the war with Russia. And the latest breakthrough has been the use of drones that operate high-stakes missions on the ground. We meet one of the Ukraine military’s ground drone units near the front line.
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The World Cup gets underway Jun 11, 2026

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Soccer’s biggest event is officially underway as the 2026 World Cup kicked off in Mexico. The games will be played in Canada and the U.S. as well, but we go to Mexico City, the capital of the most soccer-obsessed host country, to hear about the jubilant atmosphere. And a Somali referee who was set to make history officiating the World Cup was denied entry to the U.S. He returned to Mogadishu to a hero’s welcome.
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Why is the World at War? Jun 10, 2026

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A new report shows conflicts across the globe surged in 2025, reaching levels not seen since the Second World War. And violence against civilians reached new heights. We hear from one of the report’s authors and get an update on one of the flashpoints driving the increase in violence: the war in Sudan.
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The relationship between China and North Korea Jun 09, 2026

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North Korea hosted a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the first in nearly seven years. Though the two neighboring countries have had an alliance for decades, the meeting comes as North Korea has been prioritizing its relationship with Russia. We hear from our correspondents in Shanghai and Seoul about what this meeting means.
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