Germany might be known for precision technology, but the government and many businesses still rely on that darling of the 90's— the fax machine! However, those chirpy, screeching tones may give way to modern technology by this summer. At issue is bureaucracy that some say is hurting the German economy. 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 ..read more

Newly approved military aid package goes to Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel. We'll hear about what its impact on the battlefield will be. And in London, royal horses get loose during rush hour. 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 ..read more

As Israel's war against Hamas continues, children in Gaza are suffering. According to the United Nations, more than 25,000 children have been killed or injured since October. That's one child every ten minutes. We hear about one of those children, a twelve year-old boy injured in Gaza. 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 ..read more

Israel and Iran have been trading attacks on each other for a week including, for the first time, attacks on each other's territory. Will Israel's latest retaliation be the end of this wave of hostilities, or will Iranian response bring the long-standing enemies closer to all-out war? We hear from NPR's national security correspondent and our correspondent in Israel. 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 ..read more

H-Pop is the Indian popular music and poetry of Hindu nationalism. But critics worry that the music is spreading hate and encourages violence against Muslims. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy ..read more

Ultra-Orthodox Israelis have long been exempt from compulsory military service. But the October 7th attack by Hamas and Israel's subsequent military response have brought forward calls for change. The government's decision on whether to end the exemption has major political consequences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy ..read more

More than 8 million people have been displaced in Sudan, according to the United Nations. A powerful paramilitary group has been fighting the Sudanese army for over a year. We hear from a Sudanese poet, who is trying to draw attention to the overlooked conflict in her country. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy ..read more

Following the attack of more than 300 weaponized drones and missiles launched by Iran at Israel, the Israeli prime minster is getting pressure from the U.S. for Israel to be measured in its response, while some domestic politicians are demanding a strong reaction. Our correspondent in Tel Aviv gives us the latest. And Jordan was part of the success in shooting down the majority of projectiles bound for Israel. We hear what the reaction has been in that country where 60 percent of the population is of Palestinian origin. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NP ..read more

It has been three decades since the East African country of Rwanda experienced a genocide that changed the country and shocked the world. We look at the state of their society today. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy ..read more

Ownership of the Spratly Islands are in dispute. This has been the case for decades, but tensions have been raised recently as China has tried to expand its claims in the remote area. We get a rare glimpse of one of the islands that has a Filipino community living on it. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy ..read more