Biden tells Griner's wife he's working to get her home

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden spoke Wednesday with the wife of detained WNBA player Brittney Griner, who is on trial in Russia, to reassure her that he is working to win Griner's freedom as soon as possible, the White House said. Biden's conversation with Cherelle Griner...

Putin's aide warns US against pressing for war crimes court

MOSCOW (AP) — A top Kremlin official warned the U.S. Wednesday that it could face the “wrath of God” if it pursues efforts to help establish an international tribunal to investigate Russia's action in Ukraine, while the Russian lower house speaker urged Washington to remember that Alaska used...

EU lawmakers back gas, nuclear energy as sustainable

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union lawmakers voted Wednesday to include natural gas and nuclear in the bloc's list of sustainable activities, backing a proposal from the EU's executive arm that has been drawing fierce criticism from environment groups and now looks set to trigger legal challenges. ...

Cyprus brings back indoor mask wearing amid COVID-19 surge

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus is bringing back compulsory mask-wearing in indoor areas for everyone age 12 and over amid a surge of COVID-19 infections. The government said Wednesday the infection spike is in line with a global trend that's mainly owed to the BA.4 and BA.5 variants...

Morikawa caring less about No. 1 and more about winning

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland (AP) — Collin Morikawa was one round away from reaching No. 1 in the world, staked to a five-shot lead in the Bahamas and needing only to win. Seven months later, No. 1 feels like a mile away. Morikawa shot 76 in the final round last December...

UK's Johnson battles to stay in job after top ministers quit

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson battled to remain in office Wednesday, shrugging off calls for his resignation after two top ministers and a slew of junior officials said they could no longer serve under his scandal-plagued leadership. A delegation of Cabinet...

EXPLAINER: How UK Conservatives can change their leader

LONDON (AP) — Britain's beleaguered Prime Minister Boris Johnson is fighting for his political future after two of his top Cabinet ministers walked out of their jobs and a string of more junior ministers resigned Wednesday following months of political chaos. A growing number of...

Syrians fear effects of Russia blocking aid to rebel area

IDLIB, Syria (AP) — Over the past two years, Adila Afesh has seen the food assistance her Syrian family receives shrink by nearly two-thirds. Now, she fears Russia — perhaps seeking to retaliate against Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine — will block the renewal of...

Biden calls wife of detained WNBA player Brittney Griner, pledges US working to secure her release from Russia

Italian govt staves off immediate prospect of early election

ROME (AP) — Italian Premier Mario Draghi's government on Wednesday staved off the immediate prospect of an early election after a key ally indicated he would remain in the coalition for now. Draghi met with former Premier Giuseppe Conte, now the leader of the populist 5-Star...