"Blossoms Shanghai" is A 30-part TV series directed by acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai, set in the 1990's that has become a huge hit in China. Our China correspondent tells us the nostalgia unleashed by the show tells us a lot about how people in China are feeling these days. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We hear the story of an Israeli man taken captive by Hamas on October 7th. He was freed by Israeli special forces 129 days later and talks about his ordeal. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Haiti is the middle of a crisis and is without a government as gangs in Port-au-Prince prevent one. But some parts of Haiti have lived without a functioning government for so long they cannot remember what it's like to have one. Our reporter in Haiti takes us to one such village. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We hear from a U.N. spokesperson about the conditions for civilians he saw in Gaza. We also speak to an Israeli government minister about the level of humanitarian aid entering Gaza and about why a delegation to the U.S. was cancelled over a vote at the U.N. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Islamic insurgents and other heavily armed groups have increasingly turned to kidnapping to get money. They abduct individuals, families and even large groups and then demand to be paid to let them go. We hear the story of one family, whose life has been turned upside down by a kidnapping. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We go to a town in Eastern Ukraine that is close to the front lines and under constant fire. Russians are advancing in Eastern Ukraine as Ukrainian forces run low on ammunition and weapons. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We hear what life is like for three families in northern Gaza where finding food and water is a struggle and hundreds of thousands of people are facing starvation. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

In Cuba, protests over the weekend revealed frustrations over shortages of food and electricity as the country confronts a serious economic crisis. And the World Happiness Report tells of interesting differences in happiness between generations. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists around the world. Visit plus.npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We go to two places where China has been exerting control. In Hong Kong, the government finally passed national security laws that are seen by critics as eroding civil liberties. In the Philippines, China's attempts to expand its territorial waters are being met with increasingly fiery rhetoric from senior officials. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin was reelected with a reported 87% of the vote. The US government said the election was neither free nor fair. Our correspondent in Moscow tells us about why the Kremlin wanted to be sure of a high turnout and lopsided result. And the legacy in the Middle East of a young American activist who died in Gaza 21 years ago. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The island of Ireland is divided into the Northern part, which is part of the UK and the independent Republic of Ireland to the south. But a political party is poised to take power in both places and it has pledged to make the border disappear. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Gang violence has brought fear, chaos and uncertainty to Haiti. Amidst food shortages and looting, the capital, Port-au-Prince, is experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis since the devastating earthquake in 2010. Our reporter on the border with the Dominican Republic talks to Haitians. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Israel says more than 1,200 Israelis were killed during the Hamas led assault on October 7th. Israel also says there were numerous instances of sexual violence perpetrated that day. This is a charge Hamas denies. To understand the difficulties in investigating the allegation, we hear about the experience of a first responder on October 7th. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Even in the face of food shortages a bakery in Gaza is making cakes for people living in tents. NPR's producer in Gaza takes us to the bakery and introduces the baker. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

When Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, the U.S. and western allies froze $300 billion dollars worth of Russian assets. Now the U.S. wants to send that money to Ukraine, but many European countries don't agree with that plan. And we take a trip to the wild, remote High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

In this longer episode we go deep on what it's like to cover both sides of the war between Israel and Hamas. Our friends at the Embedded podcast talk to NPR's Daniel Estrin about some of the people he's reported on and how he approaches covering this difficult and divisive story. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

It has been five months since the October 7th Hamas attack that was the single deadliest day for Israelis in history, prompting the deadly Israeli assault on Gaza. Our reporter in Israel brings us five ways Israelis have been changed through five months of war. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Our reporters from around the world give perspectives on what the U.S presidential election means for the countries they cover. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, European cities experienced a dramatic drop in tourism. Now that visitors have returned in force, locals have mixed feelings. Many cities rely on tourism money, but throngs of people and the demand for short-term rentals can change the very places people are clamoring to visit. We hear about how Seville, Spain is experiencing that tension. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

There are an estimated six million Palestinian refugees. Most of them are descendants of families forced to leave their homeland in 1948, during the war surrounding the establishment of Israel. They're scattered around the world and in some of the countries where they've settled, they've been stateless for generations. We go to a Palestinian community in Baghdad, Iraq. Join State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists bringing you stories from around the world. Visit plus.npr.org. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy