Europe

Russia's brinkmanship over Ukraine appears to have gotten out of control

6:16am January 25, 2022

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Nina Khrushcheva, professor at The New School in New York, about what Russian President Putin could gain, and what Russia stands to lose in a standoff over Ukraine.

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U.S. soldiers take part in a joint military combat exercise with Estonian soldiers in 2017 near Tapa, Estonia. The U.S. is readying 8,500 troops to possibly deploy to Eastern Europe.

The U.S. is placing 8,500 troops on alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe

6:46pm January 24, 2022

by James Doubek

The Pentagon said no final decision has been made, but Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wanted U.S. forces to be ready "just in case" of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Biden consults with European allies about deterring a Russian invasion of Ukraine

4:41pm January 24, 2022

by Michele Kelemen

President Biden confers with U.S. allies on Ukraine on Monday, as the U.S. pulls diplomatic families out of Kyiv and weighs beefing up troop deployments in the region over fears of a Russian invasion.

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The Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council is looking for the next landlord of Piel Island, about half a mile off England's northwestern coast. One of their main responsibilities will be running a centuries-old pub called The Ship Inn.

World News

So you want to be the landlord-king of a remote English island

2:26pm January 24, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Piel Island is made up of 50 acres a half-mile off England's northwestern coast, home to wildlife, castle ruins and a centuries-old pub. It's looking for a new landlord, who will also be crowned king.

Supporters of Julian Assange outside the Royal Courts of Justice last month in London. Nearly two months later, London's High Court ruled that Assange can seek appeal against his extradition to the U.S.

World News

A court in the U.K. says Julian Assange can keep fighting his extradition to the U.S.

1:06pm January 24, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Lawyers for the WikiLeaks founder have 14 days to submit their application to the U.K.'s Supreme Court, which will decide whether to hear the case. His supporters see the ruling as a partial win.

Would a push by the U.S. military deter Russia from invading Ukraine?

9:37am January 24, 2022

As the State Department orders relatives of embassy staff in Kyiv to leave, NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to ex-U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst about where the diplomatic effort goes from here.

Biden administration considers sending up to 5,000 troops to Eastern Europe

8:59am January 24, 2022

Russia continues to amass more than 100,000 soldiers along its border with Ukraine, and the country has announced plans for naval exercises along Ukraine's southern coast.

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Biden weighs sending 5,000 troops to Eastern Europe to counter Russia

8:57am January 24, 2022

The Biden administration is considering a plan to send several thousand additional U.S. troops into NATO countries in eastern Europe, near both Russia and Ukraine.

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Health & Safety

News brief: Ukraine-Russia, omicron cases decline in places, Palin v. 'Times'

6:49am January 24, 2022

The U.S. weighs sending 5,000 troops to Eastern Europe to counter Russia. COVID cases decline sharply in areas of the Northeast and Midwest. Sarah Palin faces off against The New York Times Monday.

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Special Representative for Afghanistan Nigel Casey, right, shakes hands with Taliban representative Amir Khan Muttaqi, center, ahead of a meeting in Oslo, Norway, Monday.

World News

Afghanistan's Taliban have started their first talks in Europe since takeover

6:07am January 24, 2022

by The Associated Press

Taliban representatives will be certain to press their demand that nearly $10 billion frozen by the United States be released as Afghanistan faces a precarious humanitarian situation.