World

Putin invading Ukraine would cost Russia billions. Here's a breakdown of the costs

4:04pm February 21, 2022

by Greg Myre

A Russian invasion and occupation of Ukraine would cost billions. Russia's weak economy would face tough sanctions. And there are the political costs of alienating Europe and revitalizing NATO.

Audience members sit separately for social distancing at a cinema in China's eastern Zhejiang province in July 2020.

Hollywood relies on China to stay afloat. What does that mean for movies?

1:40pm February 21, 2022

by Terry Gross

Wall Street Journal reporter Erich Schwartzel says that film studios increasingly need Chinese audiences to break even — which can result in self-censorship. His new book is Red Carpet.

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People walk past anti-tank barriers in the town of Avdiivka, on the eastern Ukraine front-line with Russia-backed separatists. The Ukrainian government said separatists have sharply increased their shelling attacks in the eastern part of the country.

The U.S. warns that Russia has a 'kill list' of Ukrainians to be detained or killed

12:36pm February 21, 2022

by Bill Chappell

If Russia invades, "there will be an even greater form of brutality because this will not simply be some conventional war between two armies," President Biden's national security adviser says.

Russia's Kamila Valieva reacts after competing in the women's free skate on Feb. 17. A doping scandal dominated headlines around figure skating.

9 moments that resonated at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

8:31am February 21, 2022

NPR's team in Beijing put together moments and storylines that stuck out — including those that showed immense inner strength, athleticism and grace.

Mashael al-Shuwaihan, who sits on the board of Kuwait's Women's Cultural Society, speaks during an interview, at a protest outside Kuwait's National Assembly in Kuwait City on Feb. 7, 2022. Her placard reads: "Freedom and equality for women are constituti

World News

As Kuwait cracks down, a battle erupts over women's rights

2:30am February 21, 2022

by The Associated Press

Conservative politicians are increasingly pushing back against a burgeoning feminist movement and what they see as an unraveling of the country's traditional values.

Passengers are welcomed as they arrive at Sydney International Airport in Sydney on Monday.

Australia reopens its borders to international visitors

1:23am February 21, 2022

by The Associated Press

The move allow international tourists and business travelers into the country for the first time in almost two years.

A local resident of the Ukrainian-controlled village of Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk region, gestures as she cleans up debris from her home after the shelling by Russia-backed separatists on February 18, 2022.

World News

President Biden agrees to a tentative meeting with Putin to discuss Ukraine

11:19pm February 20, 2022

by Joe Hernandez

Biden has agreed to meet with the Russian leader "in principle" if Russia does not invade Ukraine, the White House said, but Russia appears to be pursuing plans for a "full-scale assault" very soon.

World News

Conservative Valerie Pecresse is struggling in her bid to unseat Macron

5:30pm February 20, 2022

by Eleanor Beardsley

Valerie Pecresse, the conservative nominee for president of France, is struggling in her bid to unseat President Emmanuel Macron.

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Hussein Raad, a 22-year-old college student, gets his second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Zayoona Mall in Baghdad.

Iraq has enough doses of COVID vaccine for everyone. But many Iraqis don't trust it

5:19pm February 20, 2022

by Jason Beaubien

The vaccination rate is only 17%. People are scared and skeptical for many reasons. Now government health workers are trying to up the numbers. One strategy: vaccination booths in the mall.

A firework display is seen during the closing ceremony on Day 16 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at Beijing National Stadium on Feb. 20, 2022.

The — at times complicated — 2022 Beijing Winter Games come to a close

12:47pm February 20, 2022

by Jaclyn Diaz

After 16 days and 109 events, the Winter Olympics officially ended Sunday with the traditional closing ceremony. Team U.S.A. finished with 25 medals in all.