World Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges The WNBA star admitted to bringing cannabis into Russia but said she had packed in a hurry and did not intend to break the law. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison. Rachel Treisman Charles Maynes
Environment In eastern Ukraine's coal fields, Russia's invasion sparks hopes of a comeback Ukraine's coal industry was in decline. Now miners find themselves in the middle of a war with Russia — and global demand for coal is rising. Nathan Rott Hanna Palamarenko Claire Harbage
National As calls grow to free Brittney Griner, Biden says he's spoken with her wife The White House said President Biden and Vice President Harris spoke with Cherelle Griner on Wednesday, as more of the WNBA star's supporters publicly petition him to do more to secure her release. Rachel Treisman
National Brittney Griner writes a letter to President Biden asking for his help The basketball star detained in Russia wrote a letter saying she feared she might never return home and asking that he not " forget about me and the other American Detainees." The Associated Press
Food UNESCO declares borsch cooking an endangered Ukrainian heritage Ukraine's culture minister declared victory in "the war for borsch" as Russia also claims the hearty beet soup. UNESCO says the invasion threatens Ukraine's borsch culture with "extreme urgency." Alina Selyukh
Environment Shredded trees, dead dolphins and wildfires — how Russia's invasion is hurting nature The environmental impacts from Russia's invasion of Ukraine could be felt far longer than the war itself. Nathan Rott Claire Harbage Hanna Palamarenko
Politics Biden is boosting U.S. troops in Europe because of Russia's war in Ukraine President Biden said there will be a permanent headquarters in Poland for the U.S. 5th Army Corps. It's one of several ways NATO forces will be beefed up after Russia invaded Ukraine. Tamara Keith
World Russia is disappearing Ukrainian civilians. Their families want answers Ukrainians who were held in Russia detail their detention, hoping to help find a teacher still missing. She is one of more than 200 civilians that U.N. human rights workers say Russia has disappeared. Anya Kamenetz
World Russia's Putin lashes out at the U.S. and claims victory over sanctions The Russian president blamed the U.S. for fostering crises in global relations, food security, inflation and trade. He also said he had no objection to Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. Charles Maynes
Arts & Life Ikea packs up Russian operations and plans sale of factories The Swedish furniture giant previously shut Russian stores and now says it cannot see a way to resume operations "any time soon" as the war in Ukraine continues. Alina Selyukh
