‘Astonished’: US prisoner’s family hit out at Biden for calling Brittney Griner’s wife

President Joe Biden presented some distinguished people with their Presidential Medal of Freedoms today, but one recipient was not in attendance.

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President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 17 recipients at the White House on Wednesday, including gymnast Simone Biles, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and soccer champion Megan Rapinoe, as well as posthumous honors to Steve Jobs.

Brittney Griner pleaded guilty in Russia on Thursday to drug possession and smuggling charges, telling a Moscow court she brought marijuana into the country by accident.Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February after Russian officials claimed she had cannabis oil in her luggage. A Russian judge ordered Griner, the Phoenix Mercury center who played in Russia during the WNBA off-season, to remain in custody.«I would like to plead guilty on the charges against me, but I had no intention on breaking any Russian law,» she said in court.

Boris Johnson has finally agreed to step down as UK Prime Minister following more than 50 resignations from his government in response to multiple scandals.

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video of a traveler who looked like Griner going through airport security, followed by footage of someone examining a package that appeared to be from a traveler’s bag. Due to Russian laws prohibiting illicit substances, Griner was subsequently charged with “large-scale transportation of drugs.”The U.S. has alleged that Griner is being wrongfully detained — a charge which Russian officials have denied. Some security experts have speculated that the WNBA player was scapegoated in retaliation for the United States’ vocal opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. Last week, Griner’s trial began, but for all intents, it has been deemed by many human rights observers, and the U.S.

Giovanni Pernice thinks he’s more qualified for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judging panel than Anton Du Beke. The latest professional winner of the BBC One Latin and ballroom competition - who scooped up the Glitterball trophy with ‘EastEnders’ star Rose Ayling-Ellis - joked that he had a better track record than the new judge. who worked on the show for 18 years before slipping into the role left by Bruno Tonioli.

Kim Kardashian took to Instagram Stories on Tuesday in support of freeing Brittney Griner, the WNBA standout who has been in custody in Russia for more than four months in what federal authorities call a wrongful detainment.The 41-year-old celebrity reposted a post comic Amy Schumer, 41, put up last week accompanied by a shot of Griner, 31, appearing in a Russian court. Schumer captioned the shot: 'Let’s go everybody.

Forecasters are predicting the mercury to smash through the 40C barrier for the first-ever time, with highs of 41C expected in some parts of the country.Weather maps are turning blood red in anticipation of some extreme heat as an even greater heatwave is set to land on our doorsteps. READ NEXT: Love Island's Summer wows as she goes topless for outdoor shower in front of boysNetweather meteorologist Nick Finnis said: “The GFS numerical weather prediction model has been churning out some eyebrow-raising temperature charts over the weekend – one deterministic run on Saturday forecasting record-breaking heat for England on July 16, with temperatures reaching 41C inland across southern England and East Anglia.”Finnis expects temperatures to rise through this week as high pressure builds from the Azores, although north-western parts could experience rain and showers over the next few days.The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Glaze also revealed the UK could experience some extreme heat.He said: “The mid-30s are expected, but 35C or higher would not be a surprise (this month). To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here. “With parts of southern Europe experiencing extreme heat during the early part of the summer, there is the potential for the UK to import some of that if the pressure blocks across Europe and the North Atlantic fall into the right places.”The Met Office say it will turn warmer from today (July 6) and although they haven’t put a figure on what temperatures thermometers will reach, they do predict a spell of hot weather.A spokesman said: “We may see very warm or hot temperatures, especially across the south, and high pressure may extend across the UK.

Cat Burns and Sam Smith brought their new single ‘Go’ to The Late Late Show With James Corden last week – check out the performance below.‘Go’ reached Number Two in the UK singles chart upon its release earlier this year, and the pair came together for a live performance of the track as part of Corden’s London residency of his late-night show.As part of the week-long residency last week, broadcasting from Freemasons’ Hall in London, other guests included President Joe Biden, Vin Diesel (Fast And Furious), Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Ed Sheeran, Jamie Dornan (Belfast), John Boyega (Star Wars), David Harbour (Stranger Things), Alanis Morissette, Sam Smith and Tessa Thompson (Thor: Love and Thunder, Westworld).Watch Cat Burns and Sam Smith perform ‘Go’ on the show below.Corden announced his decision to leave The Late Late Show back in April this year, revealing later that he will return to the UK from Los Angeles when the show ends in early 2023.“This will be my last year hosting the show,” Corden said in a statement at the time. “When I started this journey, it was always going to be just that.

Brittney Griner, sooner rather than later.Brittney, whose trial began last week, was arrested at a Moscow airport in February after Russia claimed she had cannabis oil in her luggage. A Russian judge ordered Brittney, the Phoenix Mercury center who played in Russia during the WNBA off-season, to remain in custody for the trial's duration. If convicted on drug smuggling charges, Brittney could face 10 years in a Russian prison.

Brittney Griner has written an open letter to President Joe Biden pleading for her freedom.

Brittney Griner was delivered to the White House on Monday morning, according to the Griner family, who provided excerpts to reporters. In her letter, the imprisoned WNBA star pleaded with the president not to forget her, and said her already deep appreciation for Independence Day has taken on new meaning this year. «I'm terrified I might be here forever,» wrote Griner, who has been detained in Russia since mid-February. «On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran.

Former Real Housewives of Orange County star Meghan King has a new man!

heatwave is being forecast for the final third of July with scorching temperatures potentially hitting 35C.The Met Office are being more conservative with their estimate of how hot it is going to get in the latter parts of this month but they still think the mercury will hit 30C in many parts of the country.READ MORE: Horror British beer drought looming with another brewery announcing strike Meteorologist Brian Gaze, founder of The Weather Outlook, told Express.co.uk that the anticipated increase in UK temperatures is a consequence of the severe hot weather seen in southern European countries over the last month. He said: "The weather has been extremely hotter than usual in southern Europe, even by their standards - and some of that could be coming forward to the UK."It's certainly far too early to be confident about it happening but there's a possibility that it will turn hot as we go through the second half of this month in the UK.

Video: Raducanu and Murray both start Wimbledon with victories (Daily Express)Chris Evans discusses bowel cancer and Deborah James' deathRoyal Family garden party guests attend event in EdinburghPrincess Diana discusses importance of landmine visit in 1997Royals: Sophie Wessex plants a rose for Prince PhilipTips for keeping your pets safe at summer barbecuesOzzy Osbourne reveals he has Parkinson's in emotional interviewHomes Under the Hammer: Stunning bedroom transformationSpain's Queen Letizia chats to Joe Biden at NATO summitProstate cancer: Prost8 charity discusses current treatmentRaducanu and Murray both start Wimbledon with victoriesNeighbourhood watch chief on the best lock for home securityJeremy Vine reveals he and Storm Huntley have coronavirusHomes Under the Hammer: Property transformedThis is how to get rid of flies in your homeCleaning hack: TikTok user removes stains from containerFood hack: TikTok user shows how to 'save half of an avocado'Going against tradition, the sporting guru was not wearing his trademark waistcoat as he stood up to wave to fans - and that good luck charm was sorely missed by our players. Both Katie Boulter, 25, and Liam Broady, 28, crashed out of the tour in their third-round matches, failing to join fellow Britons Cameron Norrie and Heather Watson in the last 16.

British households should ban baths and leave clothes dirty until the washing machine is full or else face hosepipe bans this summer amid scorching temperatures, water bosses say.With 35C “sweatfest” roasts due in weeks, falling water levels in reservoirs and rivers saw hosepipe ban odds cut to 1/2 by bookmakers Coral.Spokesman John Hill said: “Dry conditions ahead mean water restrictions this summer are now odds-on. It’s bad news for paddling pools.”READ MORE: Summer is coming blazing back with a 10-day 30C heatwave making UK hotter than IbizaThe Environment Agency told Britons to follow water-saving advice from water companies, and warned of taking action over water supplies in some areas.Water firms’ advice includes banning baths and taking short showers instead, leaving clothes and plates dirty until we can fill the washing machine and dishwasher – and even putting less water in the kettle.Government water regulator Ofwat said: “If possible, take a shower instead of a bath.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been dealt another blow as new sanctions are brought against his alleged sex-crazy mistress.Olympic gold-winning rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 39, is thought to have given birth to at least two children with Putin, and it was rumoured earlier this year that she was pregnant with another. She was previously described as "full of sex" by Russian photographer Mikhail Korolov who snapped her for Maxim.

Paris Hilton is finally talking about the important commitment she had to turn down so she could attend the wedding of her longtime friend Britney Spears with Sam Asghari on June 9.The DJ and reality star explained what happened during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, confirming that she canceled an important dinner with President Joe Biden, where she was set to make a performance.And while Paris had mentioned before on her ‘This Is Paris’ podcast, that she had been invited to DJ at Biden’s Summit of Americas dinner at the Getty Villa in Los Angeles, the event was scheduled on the same night as Britney’s wedding.The President even offered Paris to fly her on a helicopter, however she did not think it was a good idea. “I was asked by President Biden and their team to go DJ that summit dinner with all the leaders of the world, but it was the same night as Britney’s wedding,” Paris said before.“And I’m like, ‘No, I’m not going to miss that.’ They’re like, ‘We’ll send a helicopter and you can fly back and forth’ and I’m like, ‘I’m not going to be the one landing in and out of Britney’s wedding in a helicopter.’ So I had to cancel on the president, sorry,” she shared.Paris went on to describe Britney’s wedding as “literally one of the most iconic nights of my life,” as she got to share the celebration with Madonna, Selena Gomez and Drew Barrymore.

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