NPR Topics: World https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1004 NPR world news, international art and culture, world business and financial markets, world economy, and global trends in health, science and technology. Subscribe to the World Story of the Day podcast and RSS feed. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Wed, 20 May 2026 16:08:41 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Topics: World https://www.npr.org/sections/world/ The U.S. threatens to revoke the Palestinian U.N. ambassador's visa A leaked State Department memo shows the U.S. threatened to revoke Palestinian visas if they pushed for a senior United Nations post. Wed, 20 May 2026 14:58:05 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5828826/us-palestinians-un https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5828826/us-palestinians-un

A leaked State Department memo shows the U.S. threatened to revoke Palestinian visas if they pushed for a senior United Nations post.

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]]> Daniel Estrin U.S. grand jury indicts Raul Castro, ex-Cuban president The 94-year-old former leader of Cuba faces several charges, including four counts of murder for an attack on a humanitarian group more than 30 years ago. Wed, 20 May 2026 13:53:17 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/g-s1-122383/us-cuba-raul-castro-indictment https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/g-s1-122383/us-cuba-raul-castro-indictment

The 94-year-old former leader of Cuba faces several charges, including four counts of murder for an attack on a humanitarian group more than 30 years ago.

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]]> Jaclyn Diaz Greetings from Bali, where a kecak dance shows the triumph of good over evil The kecak dance involves a retelling of one of the stories in the Ramayana, the Hindu epic poem. At the story's climax, there is an eruption of fire as tufts of dried coconut husks are set aflame. Wed, 20 May 2026 12:55:21 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/g-s1-122603/bali-indonesia-kecak-dance-ramayana https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/g-s1-122603/bali-indonesia-kecak-dance-ramayana

The kecak dance involves a retelling of one of the stories in the Ramayana, the Hindu epic poem. At the story's climax, there is an eruption of fire as tufts of dried coconut husks are set aflame.

]]> Emily Feng Takeaways from Tuesday's primaries. And, victims of mosque shooting revealed Trump-backed Ed Gallrein ousted Congressman Thomas Massie in Kentucky's Republican House primary. And, police have identified the victims in California's mosque shooting. Wed, 20 May 2026 07:42:50 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/g-s1-122996/up-first-newsletter-primary-elections-iran-war-mosque-shooting-victims-minnesota-prediction-markets https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/g-s1-122996/up-first-newsletter-primary-elections-iran-war-mosque-shooting-victims-minnesota-prediction-markets

Trump-backed Ed Gallrein ousted Congressman Thomas Massie in Kentucky's Republican House primary. And, police have identified the victims in California's mosque shooting.

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]]> Brittney Melton Former Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero is under investigation A Spanish court is investigating former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for alleged influence peddling and other possible crimes tied to a government airline bailout. Wed, 20 May 2026 06:03:02 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5828248/former-spanish-pm-zapatero-investigation https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5828248/former-spanish-pm-zapatero-investigation

A Spanish court is investigating former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for alleged influence peddling and other possible crimes tied to a government airline bailout.

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]]> The Associated Press Bees have coexisted with us for over a millennium. Their name remains a mystery Its name is short — like its size —<strong> </strong>but the bee is one of Earth's most important and busy creatures. Wed, 20 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5825919/bees-have-coexisted-with-us-for-over-a-millennia-their-name-remains-a-mystery https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5825919/bees-have-coexisted-with-us-for-over-a-millennia-their-name-remains-a-mystery

Its name is short — like its size — but the bee is one of Earth's most important and busy creatures.

(Image credit: Alan Nakkash for NPR)

]]> Juliana Kim Russian President Putin meets with China's Xi Jinping, days after Trump's visit President Vladimir Putin is in Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping, in a closely watched visit that comes just days after President Trump's high-profile trip to China. Wed, 20 May 2026 04:48:14 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5826921/russian-president-putin-meets-with-chinas-xi-jinping-days-after-trumps-visit https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5826921/russian-president-putin-meets-with-chinas-xi-jinping-days-after-trumps-visit President Vladimir Putin is in Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping, in a closely watched visit that comes just days after President Trump's high-profile trip to China.

]]> Jennifer Pak Report finds global aid system is failing to address today's humanitarian crises A new report finds that global humanitarian aid is failing, with cuts from major donors like the United States and increased attacks on health workers further eroding the system. Wed, 20 May 2026 04:47:39 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5825863/report-finds-global-aid-system-is-failing-to-address-todays-humanitarian-crises https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5825863/report-finds-global-aid-system-is-failing-to-address-todays-humanitarian-crises A new report finds that global humanitarian aid is failing, with cuts from major donors like the United States and increased attacks on health workers further eroding the system.

]]> Fatma Tanis Bolivia's capital under siege as protests deepen crisis for President Paz Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz faces a deepening crisis as widespread protests and blockades leave the political capital under siege less than six months after he took office. Wed, 20 May 2026 01:48:42 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5828203/bolivia-capital-protests-crisis https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5828203/bolivia-capital-protests-crisis

Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz faces a deepening crisis as widespread protests and blockades leave the political capital under siege less than six months after he took office.

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]]> The Associated Press WHO chief concerned over 'scale and speed' of Ebola outbreak The World Health Organization top official has expressed concern over the rapid spread of a rare type of Ebola in Congo. Authorities have reported at least 134 suspected deaths and over 500 cases. Wed, 20 May 2026 01:36:28 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/g-s1-122971/who-chief-concerned-over-scale-and-speed-of-ebola-outbreak https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/g-s1-122971/who-chief-concerned-over-scale-and-speed-of-ebola-outbreak

The World Health Organization top official has expressed concern over the rapid spread of a rare type of Ebola in Congo. Authorities have reported at least 134 suspected deaths and over 500 cases.

(Image credit: Dirole Lotsima Dieudonne)

]]> The Associated Press