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Vladimir Putin's popularity soared after the Winter Olympics and the annexation of Crimea. But his year is ending on a bitter note, with Russia in a deep recession and isolated internationally.

Concerns in Europe over a slowdown in economic growth have been rattling global financial markets. NPR's Scott Simon talks with correspondent John Ydstie about the volatile week on Wall Street.

Cuba is one of the least connected countries on Earth, with 5 percent of residents online. But it could become the Caribbean's largest market if the Castros open the nation up to the Internet.

As the U.S. opens up to Cuban exports, David Savona of Cigar Aficionado magazine tells NPR's Arun Rath how it will affect the market for Cuban cigars.

For more than 30 years, the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker has used sets and costumes designed by the author of Where the Wild Things Are. This year, the ballet is retiring the production.

And boy, are his arms tired. Because he's been holding them up so the U.S. police don't attack him. That joke launched Trevor Noah's "Daily Show" gig — and now he's about to be named the new host.

The South American nation is home to the world's largest oil reserves and earns most of its foreign reserves from oil. It faced a deep economic crisis even before petroleum prices began their plunge.

Sea otters are furry and photogenic, but those aren't the only reasons to save them from extinction. Turns out that just by eating, they can preserve their entire estuarine ecosystems.

Should dietary guidelines consider the environmental effects of our food choices? The government-appointed Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee thinks they should. Congress, however, says no.

After months of delay, the Senate is poised to approve President Obama's choice to be the next surgeon general, Vivek Murthy. NPR's Mara Liasson tells us about Murthy and the controversy.