Europe

Fighting In Eastern Ukraine Drags On Into WInter

1:20pm January 31, 2015

Government troops are locked in a fierce battle with Russian-backed separatists, while civilians suffer freezing cold. Correspondent Corey Flintoff shares the latest with NPR's Scott Simon.

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An Arctic Institution, Sweden's Ice Hotel Turns 25

1:08pm January 31, 2015

by Ari Shapiro

This year marks 25 years of the original Ice Hotel, carved from snow and ice bricks in far northern Sweden. This story originally aired on All Things Considered on Jan. 29, 2015.

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World News

Civilians In Eastern Ukraine Flee As Fighting Intensifies

6:29pm January 30, 2015

by Corey Flintoff

Civilians in villages near the front lines in Eastern Ukraine are being forced to leave their homes as fighting intensifies between Government forces and Russian-back separatists.

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World News

Latvia Keeps Careful Eye Trained On Russia

6:29pm January 30, 2015

Robert Siegel speaks with Edgars Rinkevics, foreign minister of Latvia, on his visit to Washington, D.C. Rinkevics is in town to to discuss Russia and security cooperation with the U.S.

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In this photo provided by the Two Eagles balloon team, Troy Bradley of New Mexico and Leonid Tiukhtyaev of Russia set off from Saga, Japan.

Balloonists Crossing Pacific Set Distance Record

11:36am January 30, 2015

by Scott Neuman

American Troy Bradley and Russian Leonid Tiukhtyaev, flying east over the Pacific Ocean, surpassed the previous record of just over 5,200 miles set in 1981 for gas-filled balloons.

Russian tourists typically flock to the luxury ski resort of Megeve in the French Alps, but the weak ruble has kept them away this year.

World News

Russian Economic Woes Hit France's Ski Slopes

11:16am January 30, 2015

by Eleanor Beardsley

For the past decade, wealthy Russians have flocked to the fabled slopes in the French Alps. But the drop in the ruble is now keeping them away, and the region's economy is starting to feel the effect.

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Icehotel is located 120 miles above the Arctic Circle. The temperature outside is well below zero, but inside the hotel — while still, of course, below freezing — it's much warmer, hovering in the low 20s.

The Arctic Circle's Coolest Accommodations Turn 25 Years Old

10:07am January 30, 2015

by Ari Shapiro

The Icehotel in Sweden, built in winter and vanishing in spring, is the original hotel carved from snow and ice bricks. It's also an art project; sculptors compete for the chance to carve out rooms.

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A photo taken in October and provided by Britain's Royal Air Force shows a Russian

World News

British Fighters 'Escort' Russian Bombers Near U.K. Airspace

7:56am January 30, 2015

by Scott Neuman

A pair of Russian "Bear" bombers flew alarmingly close to British airspace on Wednesday. London has asked Moscow to explain the incident.

Russia's Economic State Is A Reversal Of Fortune For Putin

7:46am January 30, 2015

Renee Montagne discusses the state of Russia's economy with Sergei Guriev, a former economic adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Guriev is now living in exile in Paris.

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World News

Turkish Officials Seem To Ignore Threats Of Extremist Violence

7:46am January 30, 2015

by Peter Kenyon

Alert levels were raised in Europe after the Paris terrorist attacks. Experts say Turkey should be concerned, pointing out that "being a Muslim country won't exempt Turkey from violence."

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