Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner to be detained in Russia until May: report

The Phoenix Mercury player had been detained at a Moscow airport after a drug-sniffing dog reportedly found vapes with cannabis oil in her luggage.

Can diplomatic efforts work to free WNBA star Brittney Griner?

Efforts are continuing to free Houston-native and WNBA all-star Brittney Griner from Russian detention. She was taken into custody, before the invasion of Ukraine, as she entered the country to play basketball and is now accused of smuggling hashish-oil into the country.

World leaders push to nominate Zelensky for Nobel Peace Prize, despite missed deadline

In a letter, European politicians called on the committee to re-open and reconsider the 2022 nomination rules for Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the people of Ukraine.

Biden presses Chinese President Xi Jinping on Russia support

Face to face by video, President Joe Biden laid out to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday the consequences the Chinese would face from the U.S. if they provide military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

World's happiest countries for 2022 amid war, COVID-19 — see where US ranks

Finland was named the world’s happiest country for the 5th straight year, according to the 2022 World Happiness Report. It also found an increase in global benevolence.

Energy agency: Reduce speed limits, ban driving on Sundays to save oil

The energy agency says the world could quickly reduce global oil demand by 2.7 million barrels a day by cutting down on car and plane travel

Great Barrier Reef suffers widespread coral bleaching due to high ocean temperatures

An Australian government agency says the Great Barrier Reef is suffering widespread and severe coral bleaching due to high ocean temperatures two years after a mass bleaching event.

Long Island native helping on front lines of Ukraine war

Kristofer Kalas, a chef from East Hampton, is using his knowledge of Ukraine and the contacts he has made there to assist aid efforts for victims of the war.

Rescuers continue to search Mariupol theater rubble as Russian attacks continue

Rescuers are searching for survivors in the ruins of a theater ripped apart by Russian airstrikes in the besieged city of Mariupol, while ferocious Russian bombardment killed dozens in a northern city over the past day, according to the local governor.

Pfizer COVID antiviral: Dozens of companies to start making pill

Nearly three dozen companies in Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Eastern Europe will soon start making either generic versions of Pfizer's coronavirus pill or the raw ingredients. This deal will make the antiviral nirmatrelvir, or Paxlovoid, available to more than half of the world's population.

Gov. Hochul unveils stricter Russia sanctions

The Democratic governor previously signed an executive order banning state agencies from doing business with Russian companies.

Custom LEGO of Zelenskyy, Molotov cocktails raise over $145K for Ukraine

Custom LEGOs of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and toy Molotov cocktails by Citizen Brick have raised more than $145,000 for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing assault.

Animal rescue group works to save pets from Ukraine war zone, and reunite them with owners

They are working with shelters across Europe to get animals safely across the border and reuniting any pets - with refugee families. And now – they’re assisting with a struggling children’s hospital.

London’s Heathrow Airport drops indoor mask mandate

“The removal of the mandatory requirement reflects society’s move towards learning to live with COVID longer term,” airport officials said in a statement.