The war in Ukraine will be top of mind when leaders from North America and Europe meet in Lithuania. So will the makeup of the alliance itself, as Ukraine continues pushing for membership.
NPR's Scott Simon remembers Ukrainian writer and poet Victoria Amelina, who was among those killed in a Russian strike at a pizza restaurant last month.
Burkina Faso has fallen into conflict and chaos but humanitarian aid for the displaced hasn't kept up. The Norwegian Refugee Council calls it the most neglected displacement crisis.
U.S. officials maintained Friday that Ukraine has provided written assurances to minimize civilian casualties with the use of the controversial munitions.
More than 100 countries ban such weapons because unexploded bomblets can be picked up by civilians, causing injury or death. An announcement is expected Friday.
That's in contrast to the deal worked out after the failed uprising last month. The Kremlin had said the Wagner group leader would be exiled to neighboring Belarus but would not face charges.
When Russia launches an airstrike on Kyiv, the first line of defense is parked in a hayfield well outside the city. The protection consists of two soldiers, a Humvee and a Stinger missile.
After mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's brief mutiny, news emerged that Surovikin knew in advance about the rebellion against Russia's top defense leaders.
The pizza restaurant in the city of Kramatorsk took a direct hit on Tuesday night. The place was a popular hangout for local residents, as well as Ukrainian troops, journalists and aid workers.
Yevgeny Prigozhin posted a message on social media claiming Wagner troops have agreed to stand down and return to bases. The Kremlin said the criminal case against Prigozhin will be dropped.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the Wagner private military contractor, made his most direct challenge to the Kremlin yet on Friday, calling for a rebellion aimed at ousting Russia's defense minister.