State of the World from NPR

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The unfinished story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in Britain Jan 19, 2026

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In 1955, Ruth Ellis was hanged for killing her abusive partner, a scandal that gripped the nation. But the murder investigation was flawed and incomplete, and eventually, Ellis’ case was a catalyst for abolishing Britain’s death penalty. 70 years later, her family is seeking a posthumous pardon.
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What is the path forward for Venezuela? Jan 16, 2026

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About two weeks ago, the United States military captured Venezuela’s president, Nicholas Maduro. Since then President Trump has spoken to Venezuela’s interim president, who was a key figure in Maduro’s government, and has welcomed Venezuela’s opposition leader to the White House. We look at what lies in the future for Venezuela and its relationship with the U.S. And the challenges for prosecutors who are seeking to convict Maduro on drug trafficking and other charges in a New York court.
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The ceasefire in Gaza enters the next phase. What does that mean? Jan 15, 2026

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President Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, says the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is beginning. He said “phase two” will establish a new Palestinian administration in Gaza, and begin the full demilitarization and rebuilding of the territory. Our reporter tells us what all of this could mean for Gaza in practice. And we hear reaction to the plan from people living in Gaza City.
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We hear from an eyewitness to the protests in Iran Jan 14, 2026

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Protests are sweeping Iran and the government is cracking down hard, fearing the uprisings pose a threat to the theocratic regime. There is an internet blackout in the country making it hard to get information. We hear a rare first-person account of the protests from a Johns Hopkins professor who visits the Iran frequently and who recently attended a protest there.
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Food returns to Gaza. Is it getting to the people who need it? Jan 13, 2026

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It has been three months since the ceasefire in Gaza began and food that is desperately needed after being largely blocked for two years has begun returning by the truckload. We go to Gaza City to see what kind of food is arriving and where it is going.

And we visit a haven in Tel Aviv for Jews and Palestinians to interact amid heightened tensions. In a nail salon.
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Even Amid Violent Crackdowns, Iran’s Protests Continue Jan 12, 2026

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In Iran, popular protests continue to sweep the country. Rights groups say hundreds of Iranians have been killed in the government crackdown on the protests, which are seen as a challenge to the theocratic regime. President Trump has warned he may hit Iran “very hard” for the violence against protesters. He also said the U.S. was set to meet with Iranian officials. Iran has said channels of communication with the U.S. remain “open”. Our reporter brings us up to speed on what we know about events inside Iran. And an we hear from an Iranian-American analyst about why the protests in Iran this time are different.
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World, Reordering: NPR/Ipsos Poll Reveals Trends in Americans' View of Foreign Policy Jan 09, 2026

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A new NPR/Ipsos poll found Americans across the political spectrum want the U.S. to be the moral leader of the world, but far fewer believe it actually is.
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Venezuela: Who’s in Charge Now? Jan 08, 2026

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Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is now is the U.S. But back in Venezuela, the country’s new leadership looks a lot like the old. We look at who’s now leading the government in Caracas. Also, President Trump ran on a campaign of no US involvement in foreign wars. But since he took office, the US military has struck Iran, Yemen, Nigeria, Syria and Venezuela, and made threats against others.
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U.S. seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker with ties to Venezuela Jan 07, 2026

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After a two-week chase, U.S. forces have seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the north Atlantic between Iceland and Britain. The tanker was originally bound for Venezuela, but changed course to avoid the U.S. ships, setting off an extended drama at sea. And Danes and Greenlanders respond to President Donald Trump’s remarks that Greenland should be annexed by the U.S.
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In Venezuela, Uncertainty Mixes with Normalcy Days After U.S. Strike Jan 07, 2026

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NPR’s Eyder Peralta is in Colombia on the border with Venezuela, and speaks with residents days after American forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the U.S. And President Trump’s comments about Greenland dominate a meeting of world leaders gathering to discuss Ukraine.
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