Business McDonald's reopens in Ukraine, feeding customers' nostalgia — and future hopes All of the chain's 100-plus locations in Ukraine closed after Russia invaded in February. Three reopened in Kyiv this week, for delivery only. "It's a nice gift from McDonald's," one customer says. Julian Hayda Ashley Westerman
World Facing setbacks, Vladimir Putin makes his biggest gamble yet in Ukraine The Russian leader has already lost several big bets in Ukraine. He may be taking his largest risk yet by mobilizing more troops and pushing ahead with plans to annex Ukrainian territory. Greg Myre
World Putin announces a partial military mobilization for Russian citizens Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday a partial mobilization in Russia as the war in Ukraine reaches nearly seven months and Moscow loses ground on the battlefield. Charles Maynes
World Russia makes moves to annex separatist regions in Ukraine Leaders of four separatist and partially Russian-occupied regions said they would hold referendums on whether to formally join Russia, starting as soon as Friday. Charles Maynes
World Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has died at 91 Gorbachev was the Soviet Union's last leader and played a central role in ending the Cold War. The hospital that treated him said he died of a serious and protracted disease. David Greene NPR Staff
World 6 key numbers that reveal the staggering impact of Russia's war in Ukraine Russia invaded Ukraine six months ago. In that time, thousands of people have been killed, cities destroyed, millions of people displaced and the Ukrainian economy has been battered. Julian Hayda Ashley Westerman Elissa Nadworny
Latin America Who is Viktor Bout, the prisoner the U.S. may trade for Brittney Griner? Bout is a Russian who was the world's most notorious arms dealer in the 1990s and early 2000s. He's serving a 25-year prison sentence in Illinois, but could be freed as part of a U.S.-Russia swap. Greg Myre
Politics U.S. offers Russia a deal for the release of Brittney Griner The U.S. has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday. The Associated Press
Sports Brittney Griner testifies about her medical marijuana prescription and chaotic arrest The WNBA star took the stand in Russian court Wednesday to explain why she had vape cartridges in the first place, how they ended up in her luggage and what happened after they were discovered. Rachel Treisman Charles Maynes
World Russia says it will quit the International Space Station after 2024 NASA and other international partners hope to keep the space station running until 2030. Meanwhile, Russia says it will focus on building its own orbiting outpost. The Associated Press
