Brian Naylor

Visitors sit around the base of the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol building in the distance.

Some deride D.C. as a swamp. To others, it's an idealistic place to do good

Brian Naylor

Sure, there are some in Washington hoping to enrich themselves with federal contracts and to corruptly influence policy, but many are drawn, as one resident says, to make the world a better place.

Many say Washington is a swamp. The reality is more complex

Brian Naylor

Politicians running for office often call Washington a swamp filled with inefficient bureaucrats and leeches. But many in the capital have devoted themselves to making government a tool for good.

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks about Russia's "unprovoked and unjustified" military invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.

NPR Headlines

Biden announces new sanctions as Russia attacks Ukraine

Franco Ordoñez, Brian Naylor

The next round of sanctions from the White House targets banks and export controls, which would cut Russia off from critical technology such as semiconductors.

The IRS says taxpayers will be able to access their accounts by undergoing a virtual interview rather than have to submit a selfie

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The IRS is allowing taxpayers to opt out of facial recognition to verify accounts

Brian Naylor

The tax collecting agency has backed away from requiring all users with individual accounts to submit selfies to a private company.

The IRS has taken steps to deal with the backlog and prepare for the current tax filing season, which began late last month. The last day to file is April 18.

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The IRS is assigning more workers to deal with a huge backlog of tax returns

Brian Naylor

Smaller budgets, fewer employees and increased duties have added up to taxpayer frustration this filing season. The IRS is establishing a "surge team" to put resources on the processing challenges.

President Biden delivers remarks on Russia and Ukraine in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday.

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Biden says diplomacy continues but a Russian invasion of Ukraine is still possible

Brian Naylor

In a brief address, President Biden said reports of Russian troops moving from Ukraine's border would be good news, but the U.S. had not verified it.

The U.S. State Department has ordered almost all of its staff at the embassy in Kyiv to leave, according to an advisory issued Saturday.

NPR Headlines

The U.S. orders embassy staff in Ukraine to leave over fears of a Russian attack

Brian Naylor, Steve Inskeep

A senior U.S. military official said something was detected in recent days that sharply heightened concern that an invasion is coming.