Bulgarians head to polls for 5th time in 2 years

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarians were casting their ballots on Sunday in a general election — the fifth in two years — hoping to end political instability and help overcome the economic woes fueled by a raging war in Ukraine. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0400 GMT)....

Griner concerned for American journalist held in Russia

WASHINGTON (AP) — American basketball star Brittney Griner and her wife are concerned about the detainment in Russia of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and said “we must do everything in our power to bring him and all Americans home.” “Every American who is...

Ukrainian court puts an Orthodox leader under house arrest

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Kyiv court ordered a leading priest to be put under house arrest Saturday after Ukraine's top security agency said he was suspected of justifying Russian aggression, a criminal offense. It was the latest move in a bitter dispute over a famed Orthodox monastery. ...

Ukraine court orders house arrest for leading Orthodox priest accused by authorities of condoning Russia’s invasion

Chaplains made part of Ukraine's military as war drags on

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — To the haunting chants of a church choir in Kyiv’s 11th century Saint Sophia Cathedral, the first group of chaplains to join the Ukrainian military’s command structure graduated in a ceremony Saturday. Although chaplains have ministered to Ukraine's armed...

Russia-Ukraine war: Will there be a spring counteroffensive?

Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II is poised to enter a new phase in the coming weeks. With no suggestion of a negotiated end to the 13 months of fighting between Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian defense minister said last week that a spring counteroffensive could...

Today in History: Apr 1, First pro baseball, hockey strikes

Today in History Today is Saturday, April 1, the 91st day of 2023. There are 274 days left in the year. This is April Fool’s Day. Today’s Highlights in History: On April 1, 1972, the first Major League Baseball players’ strike began; it lasted...

Wimbledon drops ban on Russians, lets them play as neutrals

LONDON (AP) — Russian and Belarusian players will be able to compete at Wimbledon as neutral athletes after the All England Club on Friday reversed its ban from last year. The players must sign declarations of neutrality and comply with “appropriate conditions,” including not...

Russia clashes with US over tactical nukes for Belarus

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia and the U.S. clashed in the United Nations on Friday over Moscow’s plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which neighboring Ukraine denounced as a desperate Kremlin attempt to avoid military defeat and “threaten the world with nuclear apocalypse.” ...

Canucks' Kuzmenko opts out of wearing Pride jersey

VANCOUVER (AP) — Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko, who is from Russia, will not wear an LGBTQ+-theme warm-up jersey Friday when Vancouver holds its annual Pride night. Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet said that Kuzmenko had discussions with his family and then informed the team of his...