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This Ukrainian grandmother is rebelling against the war-time beach ban

5:49pm August 31, 2022

by Joanna Kakissis

In Ukraine's most popular summer destination, a 90-year-old grandmother encourages a rebellion against a war-time beach ban, swimming despite the threat of fines – and floating mines.

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Fukushima could provide insight into a potential nuclear disaster in Ukraine

4:16pm August 31, 2022

by Kat Lonsdorf

Some experts fear the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, could meltdown in a way similar to what happened in Fukushima, Japan, over a decade ago. What would that look like in a war zone?

Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, arrives in a hotel with a delegation in Zaporizhzia, Ukraine, on Aug. 31. The delegation will travel to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

What inspectors will look for at Ukraine's war-damaged Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

1:56pm August 31, 2022

by Geoff Brumfiel

The international atomic watchdog has been to some of the world's toughest locations, but nothing quite like Europe's largest nuclear power plant in an active war zone.

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A soldier who goes by the call sign Petrovich holds a string of beads while he sits outside a coffee shop in Slovyansk.

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Along the front lines in Ukraine, cut off from resources, a resilient city holds on

7:10am August 31, 2022

As a stalemate sets in on Ukraine's eastern front line, a city lives in limbo with constant shelling, limited fuel and spotty utilities. The government ordered evacuations but some residents remain.

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The World Gravy Wrestling Championship in England returns

7:05am August 31, 2022

Wrestling in gravy is back! After being canceled due to the pandemic, dozens of amateur wrestlers can once again enter the pool of gravy for their two-minute bouts.

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Former U.S. diplomat to Russia Thomas Graham on the life of Mikhail Gorbachev

8:03pm August 30, 2022

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with former U.S. diplomat to Russia Thomas Graham about the life of Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1992.

World News

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has died at 91

7:31pm August 30, 2022

by NPR Staff

Gorbachev was the Soviet Union's last leader and played a central role in ending the Cold War. The hospital that treated him said he died of a serious and protracted disease.

World News

The life and legacy of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev

7:03pm August 30, 2022

by Charles Maynes

According to various Russian state media accounts, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who played a pivotal role in ending the Cold War, died after a prolonged illness in Moscow at age 91.

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Revisiting Ukraine's front line in Slovyansk

6:16pm August 30, 2022

by Elissa Nadworny

The government has sent evacuation orders to Ukraine's Donbas region but many remain. One sparsely open city has become a hub for Ukrainian military members taking a break from the front line.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency is on a risky mission in Ukraine

7:10am August 30, 2022

NPR's Leila Fadel talks with former International Atomic Energy Agency official Olli Heinonen (OH-lee HAY-noh-nen) about the IAEA mission to Ukraine to inspect Europe's largest nuclear plant.