NPR

As Ukrainians carry on with their daily lives, most believe a war with Russia in inevitable. President Biden travels to Pittsburgh. A lot of U.S. economic data is being released on Friday.

President Biden heads to Pennsylvania after saying he needs to get out of Washington more. Two big stories — the Supreme Court vacancy and the Russia-Ukraine conflict — are commanding attention.

The ruling revokes leases sold in the Gulf of Mexico, in the largest oil and gas lease sale in U.S. history. It says the Interior Department failed to consider the greenhouse gases it would produce.

Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement Thursday. President Biden says he hasn't decided who will fill the vacancy, but says he will keep his promise to name a Black woman to the bench.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Ukrainian politician Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze about Ukraine's relationship with the world, which she and many others are counting on as Russia threatens to invade.

NPR's Asma Khalid speaks with Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, about the America Competes Act of 2022, which the House introduced. He was a co-sponsor of the bi-partisan version in 2021.

Amid the crisis with Russia, some Ukrainians say their president has come up short. Others, like some of the ones skating in front of the office of the president, say they still support him.

The eventual nominee to replace Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will need to face the Senate Judiciary Committee in order to be confirmed. Host Asma Khalid talks with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat on the committee, about what comes…

In a White House remarks, Breyer seemed to acknowledge some of the challenges facing the country, quoting the Gettysburg address and professing hope in the future of American democracy.

Goodman, widely seen as a hero for his bravery during the attack on the U.S. Capitol, praised other law enforcement officers for their restraint. "It could have easily been a bloodbath," he said.

At a White House event with Breyer, President Biden said it was his intention is to name a nominee to replace him by the end of February.

NPR's Steve Inskeep asks Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York if the Biden administration is doing enough to prevent or limit Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The fact that Vice President Harris is even attending the inauguration is a sign of the importance the White House is placing on finding a partner in the fight against root causes of migration.

The monthly cash payments reached more than 61 million kids in December alone. Most low-income families spent the money on basic needs like food, clothing and utility bills.

With Justice Stephen Breyer stepping down, President Biden has his first nomination to the high court. He campaigned on picking a Black woman for the lifetime appointment.