World News

Ukrainian skier Bogdana Matsotska decided not to compete in Friday's slalom race, in a show of solidarity with protesters in Kiev.

Ukrainian Olympic Skier's Stand Is A Sacrifice For Her Country

3:43pm February 26, 2014

by Scott Simon

A Ukrainian skier has pulled out of the Olympics to show solidarity with protesters back home. While the impact of her move is unclear, forgoing a chance at a medal is a powerful symbol.

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U.S. Response To Syria's Humanitarian Crisis Criticized

7:43am February 26, 2014

Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson describes the response to the Syrian crisis as "strategic despair." He and Michael Abramowitz of the Holocaust museum, tell Renee Montagne about what they saw.

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Obama Tells Pentagon To Plan A Full Afghan Departure

7:43am February 26, 2014

by Tom Bowman

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has refused to sign a security agreement that would keep U.S. troops in his country. Despite the pressure, Obama is giving Afghan officials more time to finish a deal.

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Political Crisis Deepens Ukraine's Dire Economic Conditions

8:06am February 25, 2014

As Ukraine steadies itself, a first order of business is to fix its economy. Renee Montagne talks to Simon Johnson, former chief economist for the IMF, who is now a professor at MIT.

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Sochi Olympic Flame Is Extinguished

7:00pm February 23, 2014

The last big games of the Olympics, including the gold medal hockey game and four-man bobsled, concluded Sunday. After the closing ceremony, thousands headed for Sochi's tiny airport. NPR's Robert Smith provides a roundup of highlights.

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U.S. Looks To Bobsledder Steve Holcomb To Add To Medal Count

12:11pm February 23, 2014

by Robert Smith

The U.S. has the best bobsledder in the world, Steve Holcomb. He races in the two-man on Monday.

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Lucy Skrine, 11, is part of a group of activists who gathered about 64,000 signatures pressing Hong Kong's government to destroy its stockpile of 28 tons of ivory.

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Hong Kong To Destroy Ivory Stockpile, But Will It Curb Demand In China?

12:11pm February 23, 2014

by Frank Langfitt

Over the next two years, Hong Kong plans to burn 28 tons of ivory. Many conservationists hope destroying stockpiles will dampen demand in a country where many wealthy Chinese are buying ivory statues and carvings as investments. Others worry that it may have no effect at all.

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Anticipation Grows That U.S. Ice Dancing Duo Will Win Gold

12:11pm February 23, 2014

by Tamara Keith

Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White are favored to win gold in ice dancing. The pair took silver in the last Olympic Games in Vancouver, and expectations are high that they'll do even better in Sochi.

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U.N. Calls On Syria To Allow Access To Humanitarian Aid

7:18pm February 22, 2014

The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution Saturday to boost humanitarian aid access in Syria. More than 9 million people need food, water and medicine, according to the U.N.

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Notorious Mexican Drug Trafficker Arrested

7:18pm February 22, 2014

Mexico's No. 1 drug trafficker has been arrested. Joaquin " El Chapo" Guzman was arrested Friday night in his home state of Sinaloa. There are multiple U.S. federal indictments for Guzman and a $5 million reward. NPR's Arun Rath speaks with correspondent Carrie Kahn in Mexico City.

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