Accessibility links
World News and International Headlines 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.

NPRWorld

Many Stories, One World

Tuesday

Maduro Seemed Ready To Leave Venezuela, Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo Says

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN on Tuesday Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro was on the tarmac ready to leave, but Russians insisted he stay.

Maduro Seemed Ready To Leave Venezuela, Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo Says

Listen · 3:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/718827558/718830625" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

The Americas

Has The Situation In Venezuela Reached A Turning Point?

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Rebecca Bill Chavez, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Western Hemisphere affairs, about the Venezuela military and the politician's gamble to turn them.

Has The Situation In Venezuela Reached A Turning Point?

Listen · 4:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/718764354/718764355" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Protests In Venezuela Turn Violent As Military And Opposition Groups Clash

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with freelance journalist Mariana Zuñiga, who has been reporting on the Venezuelan protests in Caracas, about the scene on the ground.

Protests In Venezuela Turn Violent As Military And Opposition Groups Clash

Listen · 3:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/718735208/718735235" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
U.S. Measles Outbreaks Are Driven By A Global Surge In The Virus

A nurse prepares a syringe for a measles vaccination at a pediatric clinic in Kiev, Ukraine. The country had 72,408 measles cases in the year from March 2018 to February 2019 — the highest number for any country during that period. Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

U.S. Measles Outbreaks Are Driven By A Global Surge In The Virus

The World Health Organization tallied over 112,000 measles cases in the first quarter of 2019 — up more than 300% compared with the same period in 2018.

U.S. Measles Outbreaks Are Driven By A Global Surge In The Virus

Listen · 3:36
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/717473521/718735543" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Juan Guaidó Says 'The Moment Is Now!' To Remove Maduro, Sparking Clashes In Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido stands under the national flag during a gathering with supporters after members of the Bolivarian National Guard joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on April 30. Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images

The Americas

Juan Guaidó Says 'The Moment Is Now!' To Remove Maduro, Sparking Clashes In Venezuela

Saying, "We are making history," Venezuela's opposition leader makes his boldest attempt yet to oust President Nicolás Maduro. On Tuesday, Juan Guaidó declared that "Operation Freedom" has begun.

Emperor Akihito, Japan's 'Surprising Pacifist,' Steps Down After 30 Years

Japan's Emperor Akihito, with Empress Michiko, waves to well-wishers in the central Japanese prefecture of Mie on April 18. Emperor Akihito takes part in a series of rituals ahead of his abdication. Kazuhiro Ngoi/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Kazuhiro Ngoi/AFP/Getty Images

Emperor Akihito, Japan's 'Surprising Pacifist,' Steps Down After 30 Years

Japan's defeat in World War II "produced in him strong feelings against war and its chaos," says a childhood friend. Akihito has expressed deep remorse at home and abroad for Japan's wartime actions.

Emperor Akihito, Japan's 'Surprising Pacifist,' Steps Down After 30 Years

Listen · 4:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/718253308/718587303" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Asia

Japan's Emperor Akihito Abdicates The Chrysanthemum Throne

Akihito, citing failing health, becomes the first Japanese monarch in some two centuries to step down. His reign ends at midnight Tuesday, and then his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, ascends the throne.

Japan's Emperor Akihito Abdicates The Chrysanthemum Throne

Listen · 3:44
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/718546548/718546549" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Asia

Negotiators Are In Beijing For Talks On Ending U.S.-China Trade War

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been suggesting that the U.S. and China are closing in on a trade deal. NPR's David Greene talks to Erin Ennis, of the U.S.-China Business Council.

Negotiators Are In Beijing For Talks On Ending U.S.-China Trade War

Listen · 6:05
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/718546513/718560780" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Middle East

After 5 Years, ISIS Leader Purportedly Releases Another Video

A video purports to show the ISIS leader speaking to followers and referencing the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka. The first video was released in 2014 as ISIS was rapidly increasing in strength.

After 5 Years, ISIS Leader Purportedly Releases Another Video

Listen · 2:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/718546520/718546521" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Africa

Protesters Demand Sudan Transition To A Civilian Government

Opposition and military leaders are in talks about Sudan's transition. Demonstrators want a civilian government. The military doesn't appear ready to relinquish power.

Protesters Demand Sudan Transition To A Civilian Government

Listen · 3:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/718546475/718546479" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

News Brief: Infrastructure Funds, Sudan's Government, Japan's Emperor

Democrats and Republicans seek better ways to fund infrastructure projects. Opposition and military leaders are in talks about Sudan's transition. Japan's emperor abdicates the throne Tuesday.

News Brief: Infrastructure Funds, Sudan's Government, Japan's Emperor

Listen · 11:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/718546461/718546462" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

Africa

Sudan Military Rulers Meet With Opposition Leaders Who Demand A Transition Of Power

Demonstrators in Sudan continue protests in front of the military headquarters in Khartoum as opposition leaders meet with military rulers to discuss a handover to civilian power.

Sudan Military Rulers Meet With Opposition Leaders Who Demand A Transition Of Power

Listen · 4:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/718394227/718394228" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Religious Freedom Report Offers Grim Review Of Attacks On Faith Groups

Outside the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesian protesters in 2018 demand an end to China's mass detention of Uighur Muslims. On Monday, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released its 20th annual report. Achmad Ibrahim/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Achmad Ibrahim/AP

Religion

Religious Freedom Report Offers Grim Review Of Attacks On Faith Groups

The 20th annual report identifies 16 countries that engaged in or tolerated egregious violations. It also names five entities as violators of religious freedom, including ISIS and the Taliban.