Sunak takes over as PM; Griner sentence appeal; Biden to get booster

Rishi Sunak was officially installed as the next British prime minister; a Russian court heard Brittney Griner’s appeal to her nine-year prison sentence; and President Joe Biden was set to receive an updated COVID-19 shot. These stories highlight the Daily Rundown for Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022.

Sunak takes over as British prime minister – King Charles III accepted now-former British Prime Minister Liz Truss’ resignation Tuesday morning and asked new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to form a new government. Sunak now must turn his attention to taming an economic crisis that has left the country’s finances in a precarious state and millions of Britons struggling to afford food and energy bills.

“Some mistakes were made. Not borne of ill will or bad intentions. Quite the opposite, in fact. But mistakes nonetheless,” Sunak said in a speech outside Downing Street. “I have been elected as leader of my party, and your Prime Minister, in part, to fix them. And that work begins immediately. I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government’s agenda.”

Russian court hearing Griner appeal – A Russian court began hearing American basketball star Brittney Griner’s appeal of her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession. Griner was convicted back in August after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.

The sentence was close to the maximum of 10 years, and Griner’s lawyers argued after the conviction that the punishment was excessive. They said in similar cases defendants have received an average sentence of about five years, with about a third of them granted parole.

Biden to get latest COVID-19 shot – President Biden was set to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose Tuesday. The updated shot, which was rolled out last month, is part of a wider push from the Biden administration to get more Americans vaccinated before the holiday season begins.

“Today, President Biden will announce additional efforts to get Americans their updated COVID-19 vaccine, so that they have the protection they need heading into Thanksgiving and can have a safe and healthy holiday season,” the White House said in a Tuesday fact sheet. “The president will get his updated COVID-19 vaccine, and call on everyone — including state, local, education, and business leaders — to do their part to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.”

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.