Europe

News brief: Mariupol resistance, drug overdose deaths, mask mandate appeal

7:50am April 21, 2022

Russia says it controls most of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. The White House has a plan to reduce drug overdose deaths. The Justice Department will appeal the mask ruling by a federal judge.

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Putin calls off final effort to storm steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine

7:21am April 21, 2022

NPR's A Martinez talks to Peter Zwack, a retired brigadier general and former defense attaché serving in Russia, about the context of the struggle for this significant port city of Mariupol.

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In this image provided by the European Council, European Council President Charles Michel, center, looks at destroyed vehicles as he is given a tour of the region of Borodyanka, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

World News

Putin tries to claim Mariupol win but won't storm holdout

6:20am April 21, 2022

by The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to claim victory in the strategic port of Mariupol on Thursday, even as he ordered his troops not to storm the last pocket of Ukrainian resistance.

It's Queen Elizabeth's birthday. The British monarch is 96

5:54am April 21, 2022

To celebrate she is getting her own Barbie doll. The doll has an ivory gown with a blue ribbon and a tiara like the queen wore on her wedding day. Big retail chains are selling the doll for $75.

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Centrist candidate and French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and far-right contender Marine Le Pen pose before a televised debate in La Plaine-Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

World News

Macron attacks Le Pen on Russia, Muslim headscarf ban pledge

2:43am April 21, 2022

by The Associated Press

French President Emmanuel Macron tore into his far-right challenger Marine Le Pen in a debate for her ties to Russia and wanting to strip Muslim women of their right to cover their heads in public.

World News

Ukraine has been preparing to face Russia's expected offensive. Is it ready?

6:08pm April 20, 2022

by Brian Mann

Russia has begun military operations that are expected to lead to a massive offensive. Ukraine has had weeks to prepare.

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Residents walk past an apartment building on Wednesday in Mariupol, Ukraine, destroyed during the war with Russia.

Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 20)

4:47pm April 20, 2022

by NPR Staff

A roundup of key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A woman and a child, along with other refugees from Ukraine, wait in the ticket hall of the railway station in Przemysl in eastern Poland.

World News

The number of people fleeing Ukraine has surpassed 5 million

1:16pm April 20, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

The U.N. had initially estimated that 4 million Ukrainians would flee Russia's war — a number that was exceeded last month. Overall, more than 10 million people have been displaced by the conflict.

A Ukrainian man holds a set of stamps commemorating the Snake Island soldiers who responded to Russian troops' calls to surrender with a few choice words: "Russian warship, go f*** yourself!"

Ukrainians wait in line for hours to buy commemorative Snake Island postage stamps

1:04pm April 20, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

The stamps honor the Snake Island soldiers who answered a Russian calls to surrender with "Russian warship, go f*** yourself!" Ukraine's postal service had to limit purchases to six stamps apiece.

Zurich is expanding its district heating system, which delivers hot water and steam through underground pipes. With more buildings relying on this system for heat, there's less demand for natural gas.

To fight climate change, and now Russia, too, Zurich turns off natural gas

12:15pm April 20, 2022

by Dan Charles

Zurich, Switzerland, is shutting down the gas supply to some neighborhoods. Originally aimed at fighting climate change and saving money, it's also a step to cut gas imports from Russia.

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