Franco Ordoñez
NPR
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Franco:
WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison
Griner was traded for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. The swap did not include former Marine Paul Whelan who remains imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges the U.S. says are false. → Read More
With French President Macron's state visit, expect a mix of diplomacy and glamour
The three-day visit to Washington, D.C., symbolizes the recovery of a key relationship that deteriorated over a submarine deal with Australia last year that infuriated Paris. → Read More
Biden and China's Xi met for three hours. Here's what they talked about
President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a high-stakes face-to-face meeting in Bali, Indonesia. → Read More
The midterms went better than expected for Biden. Now he's traveling to Asia
President Biden leaves Thursday for a series of major summits with foreign leaders. And in Bali, he'll meet face-to-face with Chinese President Xi Jinping. → Read More
Biden says he'll meet with China's Xi face-to-face next week
The two leaders have spent a lot of time together in the past. But COVID-19 has kept them from meeting directly since President Biden took office — even as tensions have escalated. → Read More
In southern Ukraine, Kherson residents live in fear — and hope — as battle looms
Those who've left Kherson and others who still have loved ones there describe a community in fear of the Russian occupiers — and hopeful that increased shelling means the Ukrainians are coming. → Read More
Western leaders blast Russia's exit from grain deal that's helped ease global hunger
Leaders are condemning Moscow for triggering a new wave of fears about global hunger and rampant inflation with its decision to suspend participation in a U.N.-brokered grain agreement. → Read More
In the battle for Kherson, Ukrainian infantry officers say don't underestimate Russia
Ukrainian forces have made significant gains in recent weeks, recapturing wide swaths of territory in the east and northeast. Now they're bracing for what may be one of their toughest battles yet. → Read More
Another casualty of Russia's war: Some Ukrainians no longer trust their neighbors
The war in Ukraine hasn't only destroyed lives and buildings. It's also ripped apart trust in communities that endured Russian occupation. Neighbors now see each other as collaborators with the enemy. → Read More
Ukrainians keep a wary eye on U.S. midterm elections, fearing a loss of support
The likelihood that Republicans may win the House has triggered concerns in Ukraine. Last month, most House Republicans voted against a funding package that included billions earmarked for Ukraine. → Read More
Explosive suicide drones rock Ukraine's capital, hitting residential buildings
Explosions rang out across Kyiv early Monday, a week after nationwide strikes rocked the city for the first time since June. → Read More
Biden has $52 billion for semiconductors. Today, work begins to spend that windfall
President Biden is touting new semiconductor investments in New York today. Back at the White House, a new team is meeting with cabinet members to work out how to spend $52 billion from Congress. → Read More
For Biden, the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul was a turning point in his presidency
President Biden was elected on a promise of competency. The bungled exit from Afghanistan undercut that image. His approval ratings took a big hit, and have never recovered. → Read More
Ahead of the G-7, Biden confronts Putin's latest geopolitical weapon — food
President Biden will attend the G-7 summit in Germany this weekend, where leaders are expected to address food insecurity stemming from Russia's blockade of Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea. → Read More
Biden wants a gas tax holiday. Some economists say that's a bad idea
Biden wants Congress to give people a break on the federal gas tax for the summer. But economists say that won't translate into big savings at the pump — and could hurt efforts to curb inflation. → Read More
Biden is under pressure on gas prices. So he's putting pressure on oil companies
President Biden says he wants the biggest refiners to do more to increase gasoline supply and lower prices. He says he's ready to use emergency powers to boost capacity — but he didn't give details. → Read More
Biden is hosting the Summit of the Americas, but Mexico's president won't be there
The Summit of the Americas was supposed to be a chance for the United States to make progress with its neighbors on migration and other big issues. But several key players won't be at the table. → Read More
U.S. adviser tries to talk Mexican president out of skipping Summit of the Americas
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador threatened to skip this year's summit in the United States if Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua are excluded. → Read More
Biden eases restrictions on Cuban travel and remittances
The White House plans to make it easier for families to visit relatives in Cuba and increase visa processing on the island, reversing some of former President Trump's policies. → Read More
Russians wreak havoc on Ukrainian farms, mining fields and stealing equipment
Ukraine is one of the world's biggest producers of wheat, corn and sunflower oil. Officials say 30% of farmland is now occupied or unsafe. "My fields were destroyed by the shelling," one farmer says. → Read More