Russia-Ukraine live updates: Putin ‘cancels’ Mariupol steel plant attack; Ukraine demands cease-fire

Moscow has “so far” turned down Kyiv’s bid to exchange Russian prisoners for the evacuation of citizens in Mariupol, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

By Ellen Francis,  Bryan Pietsch,  Amy Cheng,  Rachel Pannett and Annabelle TimsitApril 21, 2022

Macron vs. Le Pen 2022: What to know about France’s presidential election runoff

What are the chances Macron loses? Why does the election matter?

By Rick Noack and Lenny BronnerApril 21, 2022

He’s pro-Russian, anti-Zelensky and rallying for Putin in West Africa

The digital diet of a 30-year-old Burkinabe toy seller illustrates how Russia is building the image of a superpower.

By Danielle PaquetteApril 21, 2022

Ukraine offers to send negotiators to Mariupol to ‘save our guys’

Kyiv said it is prepared to hold a “special round of negotiations” with Russia to evacuate its remaining fighters and 1,000 civilians from a steel plant.

By Bryan PietschApril 21, 2022

Israel strikes sites in Gaza after rocket attacks, as tensions rise

The exchange of fire marks one of the most extensive military engagements between the two sides since an 11-day air war a year ago.

By Steve HendrixApril 21, 2022

In Zelensky’s blue-collar hometown, praise for the president’s ‘steel’

The southern industrial city of Kryvyi Rih is defiant and preparing for a potential Russian assault.

By Isabelle KhurshudyanApril 21, 2022

YouTube shuts down channel of future Hong Kong leader, citing sanctions

The U.S. sanctioned John Lee and several other officials in August 2020 for their role in repressing pro-democracy demonstrations.

By Theodora YuApril 21, 2022

91-year-old Jewish survivor of Nazi-occupied Mariupol dies during Russian siege

Vanda Obiedkova hid in a Mariupol basement to escape the Nazis during the Holocaust. She died at 91, sheltering underground during Russian bombardment.

By Rachel PannettApril 21, 2022

Zelensky ready to swap prisoners for civilians trapped in Mariupol

For days now, Ukraine has rebuffed Russian deadlines to surrender in the southern port city.

By Hannah Knowles,  Paulina Firozi,  Andrew Jeong,  Adela Suliman,  David L. Stern,  Jennifer Hassan,  Paulina Villegas and Rachel PannettApril 21, 2022

Ukraine sells 700,000 stamps celebrating defiance to sunken Russian flagship Moskva

Ukrainians also celebrated Russian battlefield setbacks by making memes and an NFT of the recaptured oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk.

By Amy ChengApril 20, 2022

Russia’s ‘Satan 2’ missile changes little for U.S., scholars say

As it invades Ukraine, Russia says it successfully tested its Sarmat ICBM that could strike the U.S. with nuclear warheads. The Pentagon says it's not worried.

By Lateshia Beachum,  Mary Ilyushina and Karoun DemirjianApril 20, 2022

On the battlefield with Russia, Afghanistan’s loss is Ukraine’s gain

In total, the United States has agreed to provide 16 Mi-17s to Ukraine. All were undergoing U.S.-contracted maintenance outside of Afghanistan in August when the Taliban took over the country and seized billions of dollars in Western-supplied military equipment, said Capt. Mike Kafka, a Pentagon spokesman.

By John HudsonApril 20, 2022

Macron, Le Pen face off in TV debate ahead of decisive French election

It is the last major opportunity for Le Pen to portray herself as more moderate and presidential than five years ago.

By Rick Noack and Annabelle TimsitApril 20, 2022

Russia announces ICBM test as Ukraine clings to key port city

Russia and the West traded threats and diplomatic slights Wednesday, as the Kremlin continued pummeling a broad swath of the country’s east.

By David L. Stern,  Karen DeYoung and Karoun DemirjianApril 20, 2022

New videos show bodies of civilians on Mariupol streets

New videos, verified by The Washington Post, from the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol show the lifeless bodies of more than a dozen civilians lying on streets.

By Jon Swaine,  Sarah Cahlan and Atthar MirzaApril 20, 2022

West sends Ukraine heavy weapons amid fighting in Donbas

The United States said it has expanded the scope of weapons for Ukraine as the battlefield changes.

By Amy Cheng and Claire ParkerApril 20, 2022

Russian presence at G-20 meeting reveals a fragmented global community

Russia received a frosty reception at a G-20 meeting this week — but history has shown that diplomatic discomfort is often fleeting.

By Adam TaylorApril 20, 2022

Netflix shares tank 35% after it posts 1st subscriber loss in a decade

For the first time in a decade, Netflix said that it had lost more paying viewers than it added, even as its revenue grew.

By Taylor Telford and Andrew JeongApril 20, 2022

What is happening in Mariupol, the Ukrainian city under Russian siege?

Moscow had issued an ultimatum to Ukrainians remaining in the besieged port city: Surrender by midday and your life will be spared. Here’s what to know about Mariupol and the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding there.

By Miriam Berger,  Loveday Morris,  Maite Fernández Simon and Niha MasihApril 20, 2022

Why is Ukraine’s Donbas region a target for Russian forces?

Russia has launched a much-anticipated assault in the eastern region, marking the next phase of its war in Ukraine.

By Sammy Westfall and Claire ParkerApril 20, 2022