Griner, Whelan families to meet Biden amid US-Russia talks
The separate meetings are to be the first in-person encounter between Biden and the families and are taking place amid sustained but so far unsuccessful efforts by the administration to secure the Americans’ release.
Former UN ambassador visits Moscow as Griner, Whelan remain jailed
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in July that the U.S. had made a "substantial proposal" to Russia to facilitate a swap.
Kyler Murray gifts fan signed jersey, Serena Williams says farewell to tennis: top sports stories
A heartwarming moment between Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and a young fan quickly went viral, and Serena Williams made a huge announcement regarding her future in tennis.
Lawyers for Brittney Griner appeal Russian prison sentence
Lawyers for American basketball star Brittney Griner on Monday filed an appeal against her nine-year Russian prison sentence for drug possession.
Russia confirms prisoner exchange talks with US following Brittney Griner sentencing
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ivan Nechayev confirmed that prisoner swap negotiations for Brittney Griner were underway.
Former UN ambassador hopeful for Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan prisoner swap
Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, said on Aug. 9 he was hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap that could result in Russia’s release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.
Cardinals dealing with offseason arrests, Brittney Griner sentenced: top sports stories
First, it was a contract dispute involving their star quarterback, and now, the Arizona Cardinals are dealing with a couple of arrests involving one of their top offensive weapons, and a member of their coaching staff, and a judge handed down a harsh sentence to Brittney Griner after the Phoenix Mercury star was convicted of drug smuggling in Russia – these are the top stories in the world of sports from August 1-7.
Kremlin says Brittney Griner swap must be discussed without publicity
Asked at the White House Friday about the prospects of securing Brittney Griner’s release, President Joe Biden said: “I’m hopeful ... We’re working hard.”
WNBA's Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison on drug charges
Brittney Griner reacted with little emotion. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden denounced the verdict and sentence as “unacceptable.”
Brittney Griner: WNBA star back in Russian court on cannabis charge
Since Brittney Griner last appeared in her trial for cannabis possession, the question of her fate has expanded from a tiny, cramped courtroom on Moscow’s outskirts to the highest level of Russia-U.S. diplomacy.
'Homework' clause removed from Kyler Murray's contract, D-backs trade David Peralta: top sports stories
The Arizona Cardinals removed a controversial addendum from Kyler Murray's new contract that required the quarterback to complete at least four hours of “independent study" and the Arizona Diamondbacks traded a fan favorite who spent nearly a decade with the team – these are the top stories in the world of sports from July 51-31.
Kremlin poker-faced on US swap offer to free Griner, Whelan
A person familiar with the matter said the U.S. government proposed trading convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner.
In rare contact, US offers Russia deal for WNBA star Brittney Griner
The statement marked the first time the U.S. government has publicly revealed any concrete action it has taken to secure the release of Griner, who was arrested on drug-related charges at a Moscow airport in February and testified Wednesday at her trial.
US basketball star Brittney Griner testifies that poor translation led to her arrest in Russia
Brittney Griner acknowledged in court that she had vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage when she arrived in Russia but contends she had no criminal intent and packed the cartridges inadvertently.
Brittney Griner: WNBA star's Russian trial considers medicinal use of cannabis
Brittney Griner contends that she had no criminal intent and that the vape canisters containing cannabis oil ended up in her luggage inadvertently because of hasty packing.
Kyler Murray signs contract extension, Arizona senators demand Brittney Griner's release: top sports stories
The Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray agreed to a long-term contract extension following a passive-aggressive offseason contract squabble, and Arizona's two United States senators are calling for the immediate release of Brittney Griner from a Russian jail – these are the top stories from the world of sports from July 18-24.
Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly, Kyrsten Sinema call for immediate release of Brittney Griner
Arizona's two United States senators are getting behind the effort to free Brittney Griner.
Biden signs executive order aiming to punish captors of Americans held abroad
Biden's executive order comes as the ongoing detention in Russia of WNBA star Brittney Griner has brought increased attention to the population of Americans who are jailed abroad and designated by the U.S. as wrongfully detained.
Brittney Griner: Character witnesses testify in support of jailed WNBA star
Brittney Griner was arrested in February at the Russian capital’s Sheremetyevo Airport when customs officials said they found vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage. She has been jailed since then, facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
LeBron James critical on his show of US efforts to get Brittney Griner home
“Now, how can she feel like America has her back?” James said in a trailer for an upcoming episode of his television show. “I would be feeling like, ‘Do I even wanna go back to America?’”