also ahead, the push to bring a britney griner back home. journalist jason rezaian, who knows what it's like to be wrongfully detained in a foreign country tells us what more can and should be done. first, richard louis, who is standing by with a look at the other big stories. >> alicia, good sunday today. in south africa, 14 people dead after a mass shooting at a tavern near johannesburg. three more retain in -- gunman drove up to the bar and opened fire on the crowd. the suspects are at large. sri lanka's president announced he will step down later this week. crowds of demonstrators stormed the presidential palace and said the prime minister's house on fire. sri lanka's were protesting for months over economic mismanagement of the country. president biden is defending his upcoming trip to saudi arabia. the president wrote an op-ed in the washington post saturday. he said that the visits purpose is to quote, reorient and not rupture relations with the kingdom. biden is expected to meet with the saudi king and crown prince later this month.

britney's griner is the only it, you know, american athlete, latin. and that's because they were able to you know, these criminal charges against her. but i mean, it's super crazy because now debate cartridge isn't a crime in the united states. erin, most of the states, it's still up crime in some states, but it's complicated. i mean, a sovereign nation does happy authority to make it feel to full to have marijuana, you know, be to possess it a crime. and that's what you know, russia stunt in many states, texas, it's a crime. i mean, britney griner could be in trouble in texas for having it. so who knows? you know what, what? lace and store. but it's super unfortunate and super tragic. like i said, if this was a well connected, gender conforming guy, i'm pretty sure that they would have figured out a way to get her back home. but i mean, look at britney griner. she's so awesome. she's 6 foot 9, 2, time gold w nba champion. they won the championship in 2021, but she's definitely a note. and gender non-conforming, woman all up. but she is an awesome bas

government describes the imprisonment of britney griner, paul wayland and other americans. now they're griner has admitted to drug possession, -- >> donald trump's former white house counsel pat cipollone is cooperating with the january six committee. what is more than eight hours with the panel signals for next week's hearings. plus president biden signed an executive order protecting health care access, and important move, but not's -- your you're watching symone and we have a lot to get to. the wnba is holding its all-star weekend this weekend without one of its biggest stars, britney griner, who has been detained for nearly five months in russia. this past thursday, grander pleaded guilty for the possession of vape canister, which russian authorities that contain cannabis oil. though she insists the canisters were packed inadvertently. the author, -- writing in part i'm terrified and might be here forever. the president hasn't written back to britney griner and spoken with her wife cherelle griner, who expressed hope and resolve to -- and wrongfully detained americans i

home who is the hero here for britney griner? >> i wish there was somebody, i would love if stacey abrams or mayor pete, they had some contact and they can go forth to russia negotiate and bring her back. it would be wonderful. it would be -- there trying to run for president in 2020. for possibly 2028. i don't know who that person is, who has influence here. but i do know is that you do have very, very wealthy we call them the olive carcass over in russia. some of them are investors and nba teams. some of them are investors in nfl teams. there are people have connections, crossed the ocean from time to time. who all they could get putin's ear. we can't separate britney griner's captivity as a political hostage or political present this but this court. you cannot separate from the war in ukraine. that's the reason it's happening. if ukraine was not defending itself against russian aggression right now, i don't think britney griner is still there. and i think we have to understand that she is being used as a pawn in a larger geopo

britney griner is a chip in putin's game at this point. he wants something much bigger than justice. >> so one of the really kind of weird things about this particular story is where it could go from here. i want you to sort of lay out the likely scenarios, as they play out from here. one of the ones that i did read about is a present or swap for victor bout. who is nicknamed the merchant of death. and why know was loosely based on the nicholas cage character and that movie, lord of war. take us through these scenarios now this particular merchant of death character factors in. >> right, nicholas cage's movie, the lord of war was based on this character. victor boot, former soviet military officer. he became a weapon smuggler, made a fortune off of this. likely with the knowledge, perhaps even the assistance of the russian government. i wouldn't be surprised if there was some kickbacks that putin directly. from this profitable business that he was in. he was snared in a sting operation in 2008. seized in thailand, extradited to the united

basketball star britney griner's imprisonment center court at the wnba all star game. >> selected as an honorary all star starter by the wnba, a league mvp and wnba champion from the phoenix mercury, britney griner! >> she's our sister. at the end of the day we're going to do whatever we can to amplify the platform that we have. >> we need to get her back home. she deserves to be home. >> i'm so grateful that everybody in this arena is actually still remembering my wife even without her being here. >> griner, who has been detained in russia since february, recently pleaded to president biden for help, her wife detailing the response from the president. >> it brought me so much joy as well as bg. he understood and he sees her as a person and he has not forgotten her. >> the star center of the phoenix mercury pleaded guilty to drug smuggling, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of ten years, saying she accidentally left vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. since russian officials say they will not negotiate her release until then. another american businessman pa

britney griner has pleaded guilty in russian court to what u.s. officials believe are bogus drug charges. it may be the quickest way to get her out of detention. we will talk about why. that is just ahead. we will talk about why that is just ahead that is just ahead ♪ so different and so new ♪ ♪ was like any other... ♪ the lows of bipolar depression what if you could let in the lyte? discover caplyta. caplyta is a once-daily pill, proven to deliver significant relief from bipolar depression. unlike some medicines that only treat bipolar i, caplyta treats both bipolar i and bipolar ii depression. and, in clinical trials, feelings of inner restlessness and weight gain were not common. caplyta can cause serious side effects. call your doctor about sudden mood changes, behaviors, or suicidal thoughts right away. antidepressants may increase these risks in young adults. elderly dementia patients have increased risk of death or stroke. report fever, stiff muscles, or confusion, which may be life-threatening, or uncontrollable muscle movements, w

the situation is also complicated by the fact that britney griner is not the only american being held by russia at this moment. paul wheeler has been russia for nearly three years after russia convicted him on espionage charges which he denies. so could today's developments be the first up and bringing one or both of these americans home? >> joining us is kimberly and, are -- work is focusing on ways and black experts and russia and the soviet union. she's consulted with a wnba players union about granisetron. meant vernon good to see you, thank you for being with us. >> thank you for having me. >> britney griner pled guilty today, reportedly this was her decision after consulting with her lawyers and experts. a simple google about the russian criminal justice system will tell you that there is almost 100 percent conviction rate in russian courts. >> yes the russian criminal justice system if he can call it that, has almost over 97% conviction rate. a good way of thinking about brittany's plea and in the russian court system they work a little differently. she has acknowledged the her

i think that we are going to talk about britney griner's case were enough to talk about paul whelan's case. he's been there longer, he's in in a worse spot, compared to where brittney is now. we didn't start we did start talking about him until we started talking about. or >> is this negative for paul whelan or positive now there is a discussion? and that americans were not as much involved with for trevor reed, there's now a discussion about how paul whelan and brittney griner mike it back to america. >> i definitely see it is a positive. he has been there for so long, and despite the rumors that trump could get brittney griner out, i think trevor reed and paul whelan are examples of how little donald trump did for americans were held in russian custody. so brittney griner's case, all it is terrifying for other families, it could be a boon for paul whelan and trevor reed were held in maximum security russell. prison >> kimberley saint julian, thanks for making time to join with us. >> thank you. >> one of the biggest stories of the decade came to its conclusion today. all of that up

i would like to see britney griner and paul traded for victor. he is a very much more serious criminal. he served 15 years of his sentence. i am biased, but this is a growing problem for the united states. so many people, and such an amazing person, athlete, like britney griner. being top caught up in this terrible situation. >> the fact that you bring up that this is increasingly a tactic used by foreign regimes. you are also touching on the point that putin is doing this in relation to the war in ukraine. can you connect the dots for us? and what is the administration do to prevent this from happening for? there >> i think it started with iran. iran is the biggest defender. they her held american journalists for many years now. there are least four americans that remain there now. they are incredibly frustrated as well. there are multiple americans being held in venezuela also. so it has been a radical change. five years ago, certain groups were insurgence. and now governments are trying to do this. and i guess i would repeat again, i think the

it is a frightening time for britney griner. thank you so much. elon musk says that the deal is off. twitter says that it is not. this could get ugly. not. this could get ugly. this could get ugly. what about the body? new dove shower collection is infused with hyaluronic and peptide serums. to make your skin feel smoother and more radiant. we call it oleyumi. you call it california. our land, our culture, our people once expansive, now whittled down to a small community. only one proposition supports california tribes like ours. while providing hundreds of millions in yearly funding to finally address homelessness in california. vote yes on 27. tax online sports betting and protect tribal sovereignty and help californians that are hurting the most. well here's a look at today's other top stories for you. almost all abortions are now banned in louisiana, after a judge's ruling yesterday. the decision came on the same day president biden ordered an executive order to protect abortion in states where it is still legal. advocates of abortion rights h

say in the next few days about freeing britney griner. we'll be right back. y griner we'll be right back. the minions are coming to ihop. with an all new menu you're going to love. ♪ ♪ excuse me! enjoy the minions menu at ihop. for a limited time kids eat free! and catch minions: the rise of gru. welcome back to politicsnation. inflation is at a 40 year high. many black and brown americans are feeling squeezed. report from the new york fed finds these communities are the hardest hit by rising costs for just about everything. the study goes on to warn the economic ripple effects could erase recent gains that have been made in reducing the racial employment gap. join me now is alfonso davey, president and ceo of the global black economic form and former chief of the civil rights bureau of the new york state office of attorney general. alfonso, let's start with the basics. why does inflation hit black and brown communities so hard? why were efforts to fix it lead to job losses for some vulnerable communities? >> read, first, thank you fo

what is the fight for britney griner mean to you, mean to your members? >> it means everything to us. brittani is one of us. brittani is not only -- first, she's a human, she's un-american, she's a black woman. she is deserving of our support and our solidarity. i would hope, and i think anyone of us in this network, if we were in that same situation that someone would what we are doing. i think it's important to note that britney is not only a wnba champion here in the united states, but she's a three-time russian national champion, she's a-year-old league championship, and receive the russian cup. so she is beloved not only by those here in the u.s., but all across the world as well. and i think it's important for us to stand in solidarity, to continue to pray for her, and most importantly, stand in full support of this administration's effort to bring brittany and all of those who are wrongfully detained outside of this country safely back home. >> jotaka, thank you so much for being with us. coming up next, i'm going to speak with an author of a new b

now to the latest in the trial of wnba superstar britney griner. she pleaded guilty to drug charges in russia this week. she potentially lay the foundation for the biden administration to make a deal with russia. she still faces the sentencing phase of her trial. the next court date is set for thursday. we turn to an nbc news correspondent, megan fitzgerald. she has more. >> it has been a tough road for brittney griner. she is closing in on five months inside of a russian prison. on thursday, she wrapped up her second day of the trial. she entered a guilty plea. her attorney is saying, look, the idea is that this will help expedite this process. the trial will conclude in august as opposed to dragging on for several months. we are seeing britney griner taking matters into her own hands she. wrote a letter to president biden to ask for help. she was candid. she says she is scared. she feels like she could be imprisoned forever. we know that president biden, alongside vice president harris, they reached out to britney griner's wife. the wife says tha

we all obviously have been following closely the story of britney griner, basketball star. everything is being done to get her out. but the family of paul whalen goes, wait a second, our loved one has been gone for a very long time. i'm sure they're grateful that all of this talk is starting up. but if you don't work for the "washington post," if you're not a wnba star, sometimes you just fade into the woodwork. >> definitely. that's one of the reasons why i've committed so much time and column inches in the "washington post" to this issue, because i realize that other people aren't going to have the benefit of the kind of campaign that i did or that britney griner does right now. i want to point out that within the hour, a massive mural is going to be unveiled in georgetown with the faces of 18 of these americans who are currently being wrongfully detained. >> oh wow. >> we do whatever we can to make as many americans aware of other americans being held hostage abroad as possible. because ultimately what i learned in my case and reporting on it after the fact is that peopl

but then when cherelle griner, the wife of britney griner came on my radio show and talked about hearing nothing, she couldn't even get the phone call she was promised with brittani, and they were concerned, that is why i went in, raising wet we could in our voice asking to be able to go to russia. and seeing all the -- ought to be dealt with. i'm glad to see president biden and vice president harris call cherelle. i'm glad they are saying that they can do all they can. i am in conversations with the white house and the state department and reaching out and having several conversations with the russian orthodox church here. there ought to be a place in this world that goes above our conflicts and adversity. sports is one of them. for many years, britney griner went to play sports, played basketball, in russia, for russia, largely because woodman basketball players don't get paid the same as men, and that's an issue we also have to deal with. sports rises above the borders and boundaries of our disputes and even our wars. we want that is -- hearing the appeal of this president has now che

. >>> wnba's britney griner in a russian court. day one of her trial and whyec perts say there may be one way to get her home. the colossal shake-up in college sports steve jobs, denzel and the others earning the nation's highest civilian award and cnbc's jane wells. >> why are we doing this about cornhole will grow >>> live from cnbc, the facts, the truth. "the news with shepard smith". >>> good evening travel is back, but are the airlines ready this holiday weekend set to be a major test they've been struggling with mass cancellations any delays all week long. ape live look at newark airport in new jersey. today alone airlines have canceled 500 flights across the country according to flight aware and they've delayed 5,000 other flights. the crowds this year larger than before the pandemic. tsa reports yesterday alone agents screened nearly 2.5 million travelers. that's up 17% from the same day just three years ago, but this morning the tsa administrator promised a relatively quick journey at least through security. >> every airpo

that is how long wnba star britney griner has been held in a russian jail. president biden just signed an executive order to bring home americans like britney griner and so many wrongfully detained overseas. joining me now is someone that knows about this personally who was injustly imprisoned in iran for over a year and a half. it is good to see you, jason. really, i read your piece that you wrote about all of this. the headline of it is "we officially have a hostage crisis." you say it is a problem only getting worse. >> well, this is something going on for centuries, right. americans being targeted by authoritarian states is on the rise. we saw the number jumping from a handful of cases to literally dozens of cases. more than 40 americans being wrongfully detained by governments around the world. it is because governments like iran and china and russia are using the notion of a free and independent judiciary against us and holding our citizens in these very opaque judicial long-term processes. >> the president's executive order signed tuesday, would it ha

to know that britney griner's and lgbtq member, that she's black, a woman, all of that, in this region of the world, it puts us on edge, yes it does. we stay hopeful. seeing these images, like i said, it's a mixed bag, right? it allows us to see her and to somehow connect with her since we haven't seen her, but in this cage, behind those bars, no, that does not make us feel great, idol. it doesn't. but being able to see her continues our hope. i lean in every time i see these photos just so i can read her face, her emotion. if i can figure out how she's doing. we are mindful that her physical, mental safety are something that we will continue to care for when she is back, and we can't wait until she is back, to wrap her arms around her. >> can't wait for that moment. terry jackson, thank you so much for joining us, starting us off today, please stay safe. coming up, a new attack in the war in ukraine is causing both countries to blame the other for what happened, we will discuss the latest attack up next. up next riders! let your queries be known. uh, how come we don't call ourselves b

officials have not confirmed that it is viktor bout for britney griner and whelan. they have also not disputed that report. from our state department. the timing of here is of concern because this is somebody that they know russia very much wants. that is why they want to make sure that they are talking about this, putting this proposal out there, maybe it will increase pressure on the russians to accept a deal like this. that remains to be seen, but it is clear that the timing is a consideration here they have not gotten a real response for the russians yet on this front. >> abby, i know you reached out to the griner family to get the reaction, what have you heard? >> i think they are being very careful at this moment. it is partly because of what kaitlan collins is referring to. this particular moment is a delicate one. for brittney griner's ongoing. they don't expect that it will conclude until about the first week of august. and they also don't expect, from what i heard from the people in the griner family and the griner camp, they don't expect a whole lot of mo

griner. coming up on our streaming service, cbs news bay area. a professor breaks down the recent supreme court rulings and what they mean to you and the implications for all of us as neighbors in california. a reminder, watch our stream wherever, whenever find us on pluto or any of the >> wdeveloping news overseas, te trial for britney griner is back in a court in moscow. in november she was arrested for smuggling two cannabis oil cartridges through a russian airport. her arrest came just a week before russia invaded ukraine. the kremlin insists her arrest is not political. some say she's being wrongfully detained. >> it's very clear that they did not need to bring the severity of charges against her that they did. they chose to do that b t u.stenesp a russian prison. >> coming up, something fishy going on, why tons of anchovies are floating to the surface of this bay area lagoon. she's looking at floating fish and that's not the only place it's popping up. >> coming up on the "cbs evening n

in a person call this week, the president assuring britney griner's wife cherelle that the u.s. is pursuing quote, every avenue, to bring the olympic gold medalist home. joey reduce on trevor was freed from russian captivity through a prisoner swap just over two months ago said this, our government does silva negotiates with dictators with communist governments for the purpose of economic reasons, trade reasons, and yet when it comes to bringing innocent americans home, they are very a reluctant. joy reid is joining me now. joey, thank you for joining me on this. we appreciate it. let me just ask, and others on trevor interviewed abc news a few days ago. how is he doing? >> he is doing, well thank you for having me. and yes he has gained most was way back. he is going to the gym, eating healthy, enjoying his freedom. >> i can't help but think, because there is obviously an overlap right, brittani was taken into custody in moscow, in russia back in february. trevor at that point was still being held captive in russia. released in april. that this conversation brings up a little b

we have been hearing from cheryl griner, britney griner's, wife is that she is losing trust in the u.s. government. she believes they are not working as hard as they could be to secure her wife lou released. with president biden.eet she's also saying if a president swap is needed, to secure her whites release, that is what she wants to see happens as far as these and -- so they tell us she is doing as well as can be expected. she is expected to be back in court when the trial resumes next thursday on july 7th. >> thank you. -- this weekend 13 million people are expected to fly, and another -- million are expected to travel by car according to -- thousands of flights have been canceled due to severe weather and like in airline staffing issues, even if you make your, flight there's a good chance there will be delays. -- drivers are facing the most travel costs for the 4th of july weekend in history. joining me now from reagan national airport in washington, d.c., is gary rumba. tell us about these airlines. why they are struggling to handle the holiday surge when they know these holidays

release of americans paul whelan and britney griner, wrongfully detained and must come home. we put an offer on the table weeks ago, the governments have communicated repeatedly and directly and i'll use the conversation to follow up personally and i hope move us towards resolution. >> john: the announcement, sandra, the wheels are beginning to turn, the fact that the secretary of state will be having a conversation with counterpart is a positive sign. >> sandra: and we spoke to paul's family 52 years old, held for years, questions when they would get the presidential phone call to secure the release, michael allen is joining us, former special assistant for george w. bush and as we get this news we know this is the first public announcement of any concrete action taken to secure the release of griner. see what is involved, potential exchange that would happen. don't know the terms of the deal or whether it would be enough to actually secure the release. what are your thoughts and questions at this moment? >> my question, number one, are we getting anything in addition to the

jailed american basketball star britney griner pleaded guilty to he drug possession. assured griner's wife the u.s. is doing everything in its power to bring her home. another high profile's detainee's family says they have yet to hear from president biden. here is senior national correspondent rich edson. >> speaking quietly, according to reporters in the courtroom, american basketball player britney griner told a russian judge she mistakenly carried hashish toil a moscow airport in february. >> she admitted it was hers. but she said that it was unintentionally brought to russia because she was in the hurry, she was packing. >> the drug possession charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. griner's attorney says the wnba star is hoping for leniency from the court especially as she pled guilty. her next hearing is scheduled for july 14th. across the world in arizona, griner's team defeated phoenix mercury held a rally last night with teammates and family. >> i'm frustrated that 140 days have passed since my wife has been able to speak to me. >> secretary of

what is your assessment of the white house's response so far to britney griner's detainment? >> i think the white house and the biden administration's response so far has been kind of wishy-washy. they are probably working and are working behind the scenes to secure brittani's release, but having initial conversations with britney's family and supporters would have help stave off some of this backlash that we've seen the past week in regards to the brittani release. just a couple weeks ago we had the mistake with the phone call that should've happened between brittani and cherelle. they have a plan that didn't happen because an official wasn't in office on saturday to allow the call to happen. you have this easily adjustable issues with the biden ministration, and in particular, at the state department. on the other hand, we don't know all that's happening behind the scenes or what kind of negotiations could even happen between the biden administration and the kremlin in terms of a prisoner exchange or securing britney and paul wheeler's releases. this is something that is ha

a glimpse of britney griner, towering above her guards, being led, handcuffed into the cold. the wnba star was detained at a moscow airport in february when customs officials say they found small quantities of cannabis oil in her luggage, and illegal substance. officials say that she's being wrongfully detained but recordings made inside the court caption the 31-year-old through a translator, pleading guilty to the serious drug smuggling charges against her. but under those laws, which carry a maximum 10 year sentence, usf lee told the court she packed the oil in a hurry by mistake. she could be made an example of. she's concerned. she wrote to president biden expressing concerned that she could be detained forever and pleading that she and other detainees are not forgotten. >> we've had great respons e to her letter. we think progress is being made on that front, you know, the coverage of women's sports and the coverage of women athletes is really the concern here. i mean the question is, would tom brady be home? but tom brady wouldn't be there, right, because he doesn't hav

that britney griner provided, in the russian court. about the significant situation surrounding her arrest in that russian moscow airport. and she talked about the fact that she was not read any rights, that she was confused at times. citing documents she didn't know what she was signing. and how to use google translate at times to really understand the situation she was in. >> kylie thank you i appreciate it. let's bring in jonathan, he was a consultant on the case of trevor reed, who was released from russia and a prisoner swap earlier this year. he also helped to free michael white, and a mere from iran. jonathan, thank, you appreciate you joining us to get perspective on this. do you think putin will agree to this trade? >> i think he will don and thanks for having me. i the reason i think he will us ever since one of their officials came over here in 2016. this has been a highly public priority of his. >> these negotiations, are usually done behind the scenes, as you know. is it a smart strategy for the biden administration to tel

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wnba star and citizen britney griner testified from occasion a russian courtroom today, as her trial for drug charges continues. her defense asked if she could be left out of the prisoner cage for a testimony as the six foot nine and griner is too tall to deliver a testimony standing up without bending her neck and slightly hunting over, as you see here. the judge refused as she spoke while seated behind the bars of the cage on display in what's several experts have called a show trial for the predetermine outcome. the olympic gold medalist who pleaded guilty earlier this month faces up to ten years in prison. she's been detained in russia for more than five months now, following her arrest in a moscow airport just a week before russia began its invasion of ukraine. some believe griner is being used as a political pawn by vladimir putin. griner testified today that she had no intention of breaking russian law by bringing a small alum -- amount of cannabis into the country. and after recovering from covid in traveling on a 13 hour flight from -- to russia, they took her passport. she

offer for that prisoner shop for britney griner and paul lenient. but they are also asking for in addition to victor boot a -- this was not a serious counter offer so we will continue to track with this back and forth looks like between russia and the u.s. the russians obviously very interested in something like this but britney griner's lawyer and the russians saying they will not seriously consider anything until the trial is done with alex. >> it's not a done deal yet. still some negotiation. joining me now is jonathan -- white house bureau chief for politico, and the author of the big lie, election chaos, political opportunism and the state of american politics after 2020. and a good friend to us. it's very good to see you. congrats on the book just came out this week. so excited to ask you a couple of things about that. let me first ask you about the deal, that you wrote about for political. kristen sinema is very cagey, so here's the question. will the decal will deal close and how big of a deal is? >> thank you alex for having me today. it's

american basketball star britney griner pleaded guilty to drug charges. she's now waiting for her next court appearance coming up next week. and as she waits, her friends and family are urging the biden administration to do more to bring her home. fox's lauren blanchard is in washington with the latest efforts to bring her back here to the u. s. in a moscow courtroom. w n b a star britney griner pled guilty to drug possession and drug smuggling charges during the second hearing in her trial, only the audio was made public. guilty on charges no incision. great, interesting policy. the basketball star was arrested at a russian airport when customs agents found vape cartridges with cbd oil in them. cbd is a banned substance in russia, and the drug charges can carry a 10 year prison sentence, certainly expecting the leniency of the court, as i have already said my colleague agrees with me. we are hoping for the softest verdict possible. griner has asked the judge for time to prepare her testimony. meanwhile her family and friends have made public pleas to the

w n b a star britney griner pled guilty to drug possession and drug smuggling charges during the second hearing in her trial, only the audio was made public. charges no instance great. the basketball star was arrested at a russian airport when customs agents found vape cartridges with cbd oil in them. cbd is a banned substance in russia, and the drug charges can carry a 10 year prison sentence, certainly expecting the leniency of the court, as i have already said my colleague agrees with me. we are hoping for the softest verdict possible. griner has asked the judge for time to prepare her testimony. meanwhile her family and friends have made public pleas to the biden administration to work harder to secure her release. we are going to do everything that we can the president has this top of mind to make sure that we get brittany home safely. greiner has been in russian custody since february, and efforts to bring her home so far have not been successful. what i do know is that 99% of russian trials end up with a guilty verdict, so we need to just our government to continue doing what the

w nba star britney griner pled guilty to drug possession and drug smuggling charges during the second hearing in her trial, only the audio was made public. guilty on charges no instance great restaurant policy. the basketball star was arrested at a russian airport when customs agents found vape cartridges with cbd oil in them. cbd is a banned substance in russia, and the drug charges can carry a 10 year prison sentence. we are certainly expecting the leniency of the court, as i have already said my colleague agrees with me. we are hoping for the softest verdict possible. griner has asked the judge for time to prepare her testimony. meanwhile her family and friends have made public pleas to the biden administration to work harder to secure her release. we are going to do everything that we can the president has this top of mind to make sure that we get brittany home safely. greiner has been in russian custody since february, and efforts to bring her home so far have not been successful. what i do know is that 99% of russian trials end up with a guilty verdict, so we need to just our go

w nba star britney griner shared more about her detainment as the state department offers the kremlin a deal to get her out of the country. also ahead, workers at sorrow hotels in san francisco go on strike the reasons they say they're unable to provide quality service to tenants. wanna help kids get their homework done? well, an internet connection's a good start. but kids also need computers. and sometimes the hardest thing about homework is finding a place to do it. so why not hook community centers up with wifi? for kids like us, and all the amazing things we're gonna learn. through project up, comcast is committing $1 billion dollars so millions more students can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. when i make decisions as a leader, it's not about me or the folks that are here. it's about the next seven generations coming behind us, making sure that they have the ability to move forward. prop 27 will help small rural tribes like mine get a seat at the table will be transformational for my tribal members. taxing online sports betting g

have there been conversations prior to even britney griner's arrest and now trial that would've included your client in a prisoner swap? >> look, there have been lots of proposals. but the reality is, i think paul whelan presents a difficult issue for the folks in russia, because, as you know, he was convicted of espionage. here he's used it a hostage. but in moscow, he's viewed as a notorious arms dealer. whereas here in the u.s., victories viewed as a notorious arms dealer, in moscow, he's a respected citizen who's a hostage. so, i think this is nothing more than the foreign ministry saying, look, we understand your proposal, we'll get to it. we are looking forward to talking to you about it, but, look some of, the things are counterproductive while i under understand it understood the motivations for secretary blinken, going public with this complaint is just the opposite kind of approach you want to take when you're dealing with the russian government. again, i understand that the president wanted to communicate to the families that he was doing everything in his power, as president

britney griner is not the only american detainee whose family is seeking u.s. intervention. in 2018, american citizen paul whelan was wrongfully detained by russia and accused of espionage. he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. he still remains there to this day. on friday, president biden spoke to his sister. he reaffirmed his commitment to bring paul whelan home. joining me right now is the twin brother of paul. he is currently being detained in russia. i am also with kimberley saint julian, she is a russian and ukrainian history expert. she works at the university of pennsylvania. david, i want to start with you. first of all, sorry that your family is going through all of this. i cannot imagine how heartbreaking that is, how devastating it is cannot know how your brother is doing every day. what more can you tell us about your family's conversation with the president? >> i think it was really just reaffirming what we have heard from other people in the administration. it was nice to hear it from the top, from president biden. it does reinforce for us that the administr

we're in a proxy war with russia right now, which exacerbates britney griner's case. i hope the jury believes her, she is going to be a pawn on this. >> thank you, mike. >> thank you. >> topical storm is next. i have moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. so i'm taking zeposia, a once-daily pill. because i won't let uc stop me from being me. zeposia can help people with uc achieve and maintain remission. and it's the first and only s1p receptor modulator approved for uc. don't take zeposia if you've had a heart attack, chest pain, stroke or mini-stroke, heart failure in the last 6 months, irregular or abnormal heartbeat not corrected by a pacemaker, if you have untreated severe breathing problems during your sleep, or if you take medicines called maois. zeposia may cause serious side effects including infections that can be life-threatening and cause death, slow heart rate, liver or breathing problems, increased blood pressure, macular edema, and swelling and narrowing of the brain's blood vessels. though unlikely, a risk of pml--a rare, serious, potentially fatal bra

of drug possession. >> britney griner, been there over 110 days. how can she feel america has her back? i would be feeling like do i want to go back to america? >> reaction was swift, some condemning the remarks as anti-american. james tried to clarify what i meant, writing my comments recording britney griner was not knocking our beautiful counsel trip, but how she's probably feeling emotionally along with other emotions, thoughts, etc. inside the cage, she's been in over 100 plus days. long story short, #bring her home. enes kanter freedom responded to the tweet, you call it a step back, we call this a walk back. you are free to leave, buddy, or you can even volunteer for exchange for her. some people literally have no idea what it's like to live in a dictatorship. keep taking your freedom for granted. kanter freedom was raised in turkey, and when he becomes a u.s. citizen he added freedom to his last night. and griner was back in a russian courtroom, listening to testimony from character witnesses. she faces as much as ten years behind bars. >>

and so it is really just a matter of, one version of britney griner is going to return to us andk four times for south korea for the phoenix mercury playing basketball in russia. >> right. that is the exact point i want to bring up. my awesome colleague abby philip at another network did this great interview with her, take a listen. >> i like to be very frank with my wife and authentic when i do write her, and i told her i said, i saw that picture and honestly for a second i thought you were insane. i said, you know it kind of took me back and i told her you know, i just wanna tell you one thing, if you are losing your mind just be gracious with yourself because you are human and that is okay. >> it is just awful, mike, when i think about what her wife is going through. and this disparity between -- i do want to say, you brought up the point about the pain disparity. in bc sports, you know where you work simone biles, megan rapid i'll joined olympians to receive the presidential medal of freedom. which is wonderful, a wonderful honor. but it does not do much for the pay disparity by an

griner is accused of drug possession . scary, the 10 year prison sentence, she was russia to play for a team. there went authorities claimed they found cannabis oil in her luggage. instead of playing in the w and b, a and brittany greiner remains, in russia and in handcuffs over 4 months after being detained. her trial has begun at a court and kim key just outside of moscow. the prosecution is accusing her of attempting to enter russia with 2 vaporizer cartridges containing a total of 7 tenths of a gram of cannabis oil, which is an illegal substance in russia. news media, we're not allowed into the courtroom, but a u. s. official was briefly allowed to speak to greiner. she said the basketball star was in good spirits and demanded her release. the russian federation has wrongfully detained miss griner wrongful detention. i is unacceptable wherever it occurs and it endangers the safety of every one travelling living, working studying abroad. i can assure you that the united states government, at the very highest levels is working very hard to bring miss greiner, as well as all wrongful

griner was led into a court of the start of the hearing prosecutors, the lead. she was caught with the beeping cartridges containing cannabis oil. the wife says griner is a political porn. us has called for her immediate release. protesters of storm libya's parliament building in the eastern city of to broke their fed up with deteriorating living conditions and political deadlock, local media. se angry young hotel is penetrated the perimeter and set fire to ties in front of the building. heads of states and scientists said a you when conference in portugal, a calling for an international treaty to protect our oceans are just disabled. leaders aren't acting fast enough. un secretary general, antonio quoterush played an ocean emergency in switzerland. the 1st same sex weddings have taken place. both has approve the expansion of marriage rights in a referendum last year. switzerland is one of the last western european nations to legalize same sex marriage. the czech republic takes over the european union's rotating presidency. today. prague is bowing to focus on th

. >>> wnba star britney griner is pleading with u.s. president biden to help free her from russian detention. a letter handwritten by griner was delivered to the white house monday morning reading in part, as i sit here in a russian prison alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family and friends, or any accomplishments. i'm terrified i might be here forever. griner's supporters including the head coach of her team the phoenix mercury says the letter to the white house is just heartbreaking. >> it made me cry. just hearing her words. talking about her father being a vietnam vet. her perspective on freedom. wanting to be with her family and team and not knowing if she'll ever be free again. on our day of freedom hearing those words from such a beloved person. yeah, it's great she was able to get that message to us. and hopefully some people are paying attention. the biden administration and our state department putting at the front would be amazing. >> griner was arrested at a moscow airport back in february about

griner has made her 4th appearance in a russian court. the olympic gold medalist has pled guilty to carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil a lawyer say the oil was prescribed to her doctors if convicted on drug possession charges griner could face up to 10 years in a russian prison. european commission is taking hungary to cause of a controversial, elderly visit. hugh law, the law ban school material that seen as promoting homosexuality or gender change. the government of prime minister to oregon justified the measure as preventing child abuse a health warning from the global weather agency, the w, i mo, says a heat wave spreading across europe is likely to worse an air pollution. southern parts of the continent have been sweltering and temperatures at about 40 degrees celsius, with extreme temperatures likely to become more common to climate change. one of spain's biggest cities is changing the way it deals with its summer weather forecasts. seville in southern spain is no stranger to heat. soon, residents will become even more

american baseball star, britney griner has pleaded guilty to a, any russian court to drug charges. the 2 time olympic gold medalist was detained in moscow airport in february already say bait canisters containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage so called islamic state is claim responsibility for a raid on a prison in nigeria and capitol of boucher. lisa are searching for around $400.00 inmates mid nice, who are still on the run. it will say militants use explosives, free elegy hogs, and looking to ukraine with the war and its 5th month pleasant president vladimir putin as told leaders of russia's parliament, which prudence party controls that this is just the beginning. meanwhile, ukraine's forces claimed to have recapture a snake island of the black sea and raised the national flag. russia says it retaliated with missiles trice on the outpost. the blue and yellow a few green flies above sneak island. once again, it appears this tiny strip of land became in famous after the outbreak of the wall of the ukrainian soldiers rejected an ultimatum from a russian warship. the gleam

now take a quick look at my the stories making news right now. mac mask, while star britney griner has pleaded guilty in a russian court to drug charges. the 2 time olympic gold medalist was detained in moscow airport and february 30 se vape canisters containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage so called islamic state is claim responsibility for a raid on a prison. i. during capital boucher police are searching for around $400.00 inmates were still on the run, official se militants use explosives to free fellows the hottest the democratic republic of congo, and were wanda, have agreed to deescalate attentions. 2 countries have been in dispute since the m . 23 rebel group, resume fighting against congolese troops near there were one border. the rebels have killed scores and civilians in this place. tens of thousands of people. they say they won't respect ceasefire. gave you correspond mario miller, travel. the chicago and filed this report. the sound of a bomb blast made that amazon. he, eddie fear for his life. it exploded near his home in the village of the honda eastern congo.