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☆ Max Verstappen hints that ‘silly’ punishment for swearing could hasten his retirement from F1
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Max Verstappen hinted on Sunday that his retirement from Formula One might be hastened after his “silly” punishment for swearing. The Red Bull driver was told by motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, that he should carry out “work of public interest” after using a swear word in a press conference on Thursday ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. When you can’t be yourself or you have to deal with these kind of silly things,” the Dutch driver told reporters, per Reuters. So, yeah, it is very, very silly,” Verstappen said. According to multiple reports, Alex Wurz – the chair of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) – said that the punishment handed out to Verstappen was too severe.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Lando Norris, Verstappen, “, “ It’s, Alex Wurz –, –, Wurz, Guenther, Guenther Steiner, Haas, ” Verstappen, Norris, Verstappen’s Organizations: CNN, Formula, FIA, Singapore, Reuters, Azerbaijan, Autosport, Prix Drivers ’, Netflix, Prix Locations: Singapore

☆ Lando Norris eases to Singapore Grand Prix victory to reduce Max Verstappen’s lead in drivers’ championship
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-22 | by ( Jamie Barton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —British driver Lando Norris recorded a comfortable victory at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, putting a dent into Max Verstappen’s lead atop the drivers’ world championship. It was another excellent race for McLaren, following a victory for Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri in Azerbaijan last week. It was Norris’ third win of the season, cutting reigning champion Verstappen’s lead at the top of the drivers’ championship to 52 points after the Dutch driver finished second. “[It was] an amazing race,” Norris told Sky Sports after the race. The British driver finished in sixth.

Persons: Lando Norris, Max Verstappen’s, Norris ’, Oscar Piastri, Piastri, Verstappen’s, Red, McLaren, Red Bull, ” Norris, ”, Lewis Hamilton, Norris, McLaren's Lando Norris, Edgar Su, Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo Organizations: CNN, Singapore, Prix, McLaren, Red Bull, Red, Sky Sports, Reuters, RB Locations: British, Azerbaijan, Singapore, Verstappen

Learn moreLet us show you everything you need to know about where to watch a free Azerbaijan F1 live stream wherever you are in the world. As also detailed in our season-long free F1 live stream guide, we can help you watch every race this season via similar options to today's. How to watch free Azerbaijan F1 live streams with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don't have one. How to watch Azerbaijan F1 live stream in the USESPN is covering the remaining Formula 1 races this season . Check price at FuboHow to watch Azerbaijan F1 live stream in the UKWant a free option?

Persons: Norris, Verstappen didn't, Leclerc, Oliver Bearman's Haas, you'll, ExpressVPN, it's, FuboTV Organizations: Business, Premier League, NFL, Azerbaijan, RTL2, AWST, Azerbaijan F1, ESPN, Sky Sports, Sky Locations: Azerbaijan, P6, Baku, ORF1, ServusTV, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, RTBF, TV's

☆ Nations League Sunday review: Cristiano Ronaldo scores 901st career goal to rescue Portugal
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 901st career goal on Sunday as he rescued a 2-1 victory for Portugal against Scotland in the UEFA Nations League. Portugal pushed for a winner, with Ronaldo striking the post and Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn twice denying João Félix with superb saves. It was his second goal in as many games during this international break, having scored his 900th career goal on Thursday against Croatia. Craig Williamson/SNS Group/Getty ImagesAfterwards, Fernandes – who was playing in his 600th career game – expressed how important Ronaldo was to the Portugal team. Full Nations League scores from SundayHome vs. away (winners in bold)Portugal 2-1 Scotland – League A, Group 1Croatia 1-0 Poland – League A, Group 1Denmark 2-0 Serbia – League A, Group 4Switzerland 1-4 Spain – League A, Group 4Slovakia 2-0 Azerbaijan – League C, Group 1Sweden 3-0 Estonia – League C, Group 1Luxembourg 0-1 Belarus – League C, Group 3Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland – League C, Group 3Gibraltar 2-2 Liechtenstein – League D, Group 1

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Scott McTominay’s, Bruno Fernandes, Ronaldo, Angus Gunn, João, Nuno Mendes, Al Nassr, Craig Williamson, Fernandes –, –, ” Fernandes, Cristiano, ”, Luka Modrić, Modrić, Damir Sencar, Fabián Ruiz, Robin Le Normand, Amdouni, Ferran Torres ’ Organizations: CNN, 901st, Portugal, Scotland, UEFA Nations League, Croatia, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, Sporting Lisbon, SNS, Getty, Reuters, Nations League, League, Poland, La Roja, Nations, Sunday, –, Poland – League, Serbia – League, Spain – League, Azerbaijan – League C, Estonia – League C, Belarus – League C, Ireland – League C, Liechtenstein – League Locations: Lisbon, Portugal, AFP, Spain, Switzerland, Joselu, Croatia, Poland, Denmark, Slovakia, Sweden, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Gibraltar

☆ A longtime Russian ally says it's frozen its participation in Putin's NATO 'at all levels' after a year of snubs
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-02 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"Armenia has frozen its participation in the CSTO at all levels," he said, according to a translation by US think tank the Institute for the Study of War. AdvertisementHowever, he added that Armenia may "see the need to make another decision" in the future, per the ISW. Pashinyan announced his decision to leave the CSTO — a military alliance made up of Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan — in February. Tensions have risen between Russia and Armenia since Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which Pashinyan has repeatedly refused to support. Other CSTO members have also snubbed Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin's, Nikol Pashinyan, Pashinyan, Putin, Dmitry Peskov, berate Putin, Thomas Graham Organizations: Service, Collective Security, Organization, NATO, Business, for, Tajikistan —, Kremlin, Yale Locations: Russian, Armenia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pashinyan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia's, East

☆ Road tripping through Russia: American woman shares challenges of solo trip from Georgia to Mongolia
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Essay Breanna Wilson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

And I’d be doing it solo, an American female, in a vintage Land Cruiser that was anything but inconspicuous. Planning a 7,000-kilometer road tripRussian visa in hand, it was time to start route planning, make my final vehicle preparations, and pack. With a car my size, bearing Georgian plates, driven by an American who doesn’t speak any Russian, I was increasingly nervous. An American girl, traveling alone, saying she’s moving to Mongolia, driving a car with Georgian plates. I had a summer of overlanding and adventuring across Mongolia, and a new life in Ulaanbaatar, to get underway.

Persons: Breanna Wilson, Andrey Orekhov, Evan Gershkovich, Russia – Organizations: Mongolia CNN, Cruiser, US State Department, Google, Astana, Russia, Toyota Top Motors Locations: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Tbilisi , Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, American, Russian, Tbilisi, Tbllisi, Georgia, Georgian, Kazbegi, Chechnya, Dagestan, Mariupol, Donetsk, Baku, Alat, Europe, Japan, Kuryk, Altai, Bayan, Ölgii, Astana, Semey, Soviet Union, Russia's, Siberia, –, Tsagaannuur, Mongolia’s, @breannajwilson

☆ At a Mountain Retreat, Wine, Lamb Kebabs and Lots of Climate Talk
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Max Bearak | Nanna Heitmann | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A few days ago, at an ornate hilltop hotel in Azerbaijan’s wine country with panoramic views of the Caucasus foothills, the world’s top climate diplomats debated how to marshal whopping amounts of money to fight global warming and compensate poor and vulnerable countries that suffer its worst effects. “Some say single-digit trillions. Some say double-digit,” said Yalchin Rafiyev, Azerbaijan’s chief climate negotiator. The meeting was a pre-meeting, of sorts, for the main event: November’s United Nations sponsored climate negotiations, known as COP29, to be held in the seaside capital, Baku, a few hours away. At previous summits, the world’s nations had struggled to agree on a seemingly basic premise in the fight against climate change, namely that humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels must be curbed as quickly as possible.

Persons: ”, Yalchin Rafiyev Organizations: November’s United Locations: Azerbaijan’s, Caucasus, November’s United Nations, Baku

☆ Inside the Petrostate Hosting This Year’s Global Climate Negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Max Bearak | Nanna Heitmann | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It’s an unlikely place for such talk: It is out of the way, under authoritarian rule and, crucially, hyper-dependent on fossil fuels. Azerbaijan is hosting the annual climate summit, called COP29, only by dint of a quirky United Nations selection process that left it as the last option on the table. It’s a nearly vertical learning curve for officials who acknowledge their inexperience in global climate politics. They also acknowledge that they are under pressure from some people in their own country, who fear the global energy transition away from fossil fuels. Mr. Babayev himself spent most of his career rising through the middle ranks of the state oil company.

Persons: Mukhtar Babayev, ”, Mr, Babayev Organizations: United Locations: Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, United Nations, Saudi Arabia, Vanuatu, It’s, Europe

☆ Kim Yeji, the South Korean Olympic shooter who has taken the internet by storm
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

She’s Kim Yeji, the 31-year-old South Korean sharpshooter who has taken social media by storm following her appearance at the Paris Olympics. Kim won silver at the 10-meter air pistol event on Sunday, with her 19-year-old teammate Oh Ye Jin taking the gold. The platform’s owner, Elon Musk, meanwhile commented that Kim “should be cast in an action movie.”Kim, a first-time Olympian, will next compete at the qualifying round of the 25-meter pistol event on Friday. Kim (left) on the podium alongside gold-medal-winning team mate Oh Ye Jin and bronze medalist Manu Bhaker of India. Kim and Oh are roommates in the Olympic Village, according to the Associated Press, with Kim saying Oh was like a sister to her.

Persons: Kim Yeji, Kim, Oh Ye Jin, ” Charles McQuillan, Sauer, Charles McQuillan, ”, Elon Musk, Kim “, ” Kim, Manu Bhaker, Alain Jocard, “ Organizations: CNN, Paris, Twitter, Getty, Olympic Games, Associated Press, Olympics Locations: Azerbaijan, India, AFP

☆ Paris Olympics: Who Leads the Medal Count?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Josh Katz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. France Japan China Britain Australia S. Korea Italy Canada Kazakhstan S. Africa Brazil Sweden Germany Belgium Hong Kong Moldova Azerbaijan Romania Uzbekistan Fiji Kosovo Mongolia Poland Tunisia Croatia Egypt Spain Hungary India Ireland Mexico Switzerland Slovakia Turkey Ukraine Possible rank in Olympic medal count 1st 25th or lowerParis Olympics: Who Leads the Medal Count? As of Monday at 4:07 p.m. Eastern time, Japan stood atop the official Olympic medal table, which sorts nations based on their number of gold medals. That approach is common in much of the world, with silver and bronze used only to break ties. By another measure, the United States leads because it has the most medals overall (20, at last count). (Bronze medals are always worth one point.)

Organizations: Brazil Sweden Germany Belgium Hong Kong Moldova Azerbaijan Romania Uzbekistan Fiji Kosovo Mongolia Poland Tunisia Croatia, Mexico Switzerland Slovakia Turkey Ukraine, Paris, The New York Times, Japan Locations: France Japan China Britain Australia, Korea Italy Canada Kazakhstan, Brazil Sweden Germany Belgium Hong Kong Moldova Azerbaijan Romania Uzbekistan Fiji Kosovo Mongolia Poland Tunisia, Brazil Sweden Germany Belgium Hong Kong Moldova Azerbaijan Romania Uzbekistan Fiji Kosovo Mongolia Poland Tunisia Croatia Egypt Spain Hungary India, Mexico Switzerland Slovakia Turkey, Japan, United States, U.S, France, China, Britain, Australia, Korea, Italy, Canada, Kazakhstan, Germany, That’s

☆ Shiite Muslims mark holy day of Ashura with mourning and self-flagellation
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Shiite Muslims across the globe on Tuesday observed Ashura, an annual commemoration mourning the seventh-century martyrdom of a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. Ashura, or “the 10th day,” falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. Shiite Muslim devotees self-flagellate during Ashura rituals in New Delhi, India. Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu/Getty ImagesA Shiite Muslim self-flagellates with curved knives on chains during an Ashura procession in Bengaluru, India. Bikas Das/APA "zuljanah," an ornately decorated horse representing Hussein's battle stallion, parades through the streets of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Persons: Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein bin Ali’s, –, ”, Kabir Jhangiani, Saurabh, Imam Hussein, Haidar Mohammed Ali, Idrees Mohammed, Bikas Das, Yawar Nazir, Ameer Al, Ahmad Al, Nasir Kachroo Organizations: CNN, Anadolu, Getty Locations: Karbala, Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, India, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Nasiriyah, Bengaluru, AFP, Kolkata, Srinagar, Indian, Kashmir, Sadr City, Baghdad, Sopore

☆ World’s best airline for 2024 named by Skytrax
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Barry Neild | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

We look forward to more wins in the future.”Close-run contestSaudia was named by Skytrax as winner of the World's Most Improved Airline award. Singapore also won for Best First Class service and Best Airline in Asia. ANA, meanwhile, picked up the accolade for World’s Best Airport Services, as well as Best Airline Staff Service in Asia. Saudia was named World’s Most Improved Airline, beating Taiwan’s Starlux and Iceland’s Play into second and third places. Delta Air Lines was declared the Best Airline in North America, also picking up the award for Best Airline Staff Service for the region.

Persons: weren’t, ”, Edward Plaisted, Badr Mohammed Al, Meer, Saudia, Skytrax, Nicolas Economou, Tan, Tan Pee Teck, Taiwan’s Starlux, Singapore’s Scoot, Tony Fernandes, “, ISMOYO, Vistara, airBaltic Organizations: CNN, Qatar Airways, Hamad International, Dubai, Boeing, Airbus, Singapore Airlines, Dubai’s Emirates, ANA All Nippon Airways, Hong, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Swiss International Airlines, Singapore, Best, ANA, World’s Best, Services, Best Airline Staff Service, AirAsia, Airline, Airasia, Rai International, Getty, Bangkok Airways, Fiji Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China . Delta Air Lines, Airlines, Emirates, Cathay, Air, Swiss International Air Lines, Korean, British Airways, Iberia, Virgin, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Saudi, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Garuda, Cathay Pacific Airways, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Transavia, Vueling Airlines, Ryanair, SKY, JetSMART, Aegean Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Rex Airlines, Azul, Royal Air Maroc, Porter Airlines, . Alaska Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Air Locations: Qatar, London’s, Abu Dhabi, Qatar’s, Tan Pee, Asia, Denpasar, Bali, AFP, India, Australia, Pacific, Eastern, China ., North America, Singapore, Air France, Saudi Arabian, Garuda Indonesia, Transavia France

☆ Gunmen Kill at Least 6 at Synagogue and Churches in Russian Republic
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-23 | by ( Ivan Nechepurenko | More About Ivan Nechepurenko | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At least six police officers and a priest were killed in attacks in two cities in Russia’s southern republic of Dagestan after gunmen opened fire on Sunday at a synagogue, at least two churches and a police post, the local interior ministry said. At least a dozen police officers were wounded in two seemingly coordinated attacks, Russian state news agencies reported, citing local law enforcement officials. Vladimir Legoida, a spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church, said in a Telegram post that Nikolai Kotelnikov, a local priest who had served in the church for 40 years, was killed in the attack. Russian state news agencies posted videos of the Derbent synagogue engulfed in flames. In a statement, the local police said that the synagogue and the church had been “burned down.”

Persons: Vladimir Legoida, Nikolai Kotelnikov, ” Organizations: Russian Orthodox Church Locations: Russia’s, Dagestan, Dagestan’s, Makhachkala, Azerbaijan

☆ Russian ally ditching Putin's rival to NATO damages the image Putin wants to project of himself, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewArmenia's announcement that it's going to leave a Russia-led alliance that was set up to rival NATO is a blow to the image Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to project, experts told Business Insider. In fact, experts say it's the opposite of what Putin hoped to achieve with the alliance. But leading it is still important to Putin as, in Putin's mind, "great powers lead alliances and organizations." Armenia snubbing RussiaPashinyan's announcement came after months of snubs against Putin, and criticism of the CSTO in general.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Nikol Pashinyan, Putin, Davis Ellison, Alexander Cooley, Thomas Graham, snubs, Pashinyan, Graham, Armenia doesn't Organizations: Service, NATO, Collective Security, Organization, Business, The Hague, Strategic Studies, Columbia University, Yale, Armenia's, Reuters, Getty Locations: Russia, Armenia, Kremlin, Soviet Union, Moscow, Soviet, East, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Washington, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

☆ Armenia to withdraw from Russia-led military alliance, accusing members of plotting war
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Armenia will leave a Russia-led military alliance, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed Wednesday, accusing members of the bloc of plotting with bitter rival Azerbaijan to start a war against them. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan reclaimed in full by force in September. Russia has traditionally allied with Armenia, but their relations have soured in recent months while Moscow’s ties to Azerbaijan have deepened. Pashinyan confirmed to lawmakers that Armenia will withdraw from the Russia-led military alliance. Azerbaijan has also demanded that Armenia change its constitution to remove a reference to Karabakh independence, but Pashinyan has so far resisted the calls.

Persons: Nikol Pashinyan, Pashinyan, ” Pashinyan, Karen Minasyan, “, ”, Vladimir Putin, Pashinyan –, Azerbaijan –, Ilham Aliyev, Armenpress, Bagrat Galstanyan, ” Galstanyan Organizations: CNN, Security, Organization, European Union, Getty, AFP Locations: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Moscow, United States, Soviet Union, Karabakh, Yerevan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Soviet, AFP, Nagorno, Aliyev

☆ One of Russia's allies says it is quitting Putin's rival to NATO, in the latest snub to the Kremlin
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewA key Russian ally said it's quitting the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a group widely considered to be President Vladimir Putin's answer to NATO. The prime minister told lawmakers: "We will leave. Related storiesTensions have heightened between Russia and Armenia since Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which Pashinyan has refused to endorse on multiple occasions. Frankopan said the latest development may not end with Armenia leaving the CSTO if negotiations take place.

Persons: —, it's, Vladimir Putin's, Nikol Pashinyan, he'd, Pashinyan, Putin, Pashinyan's, Dmitry Peskov, Peter Frankopan, Frankopan Organizations: Service, Security, Organization, NATO, Armenian, Associated Press, Business, AP, Kremlin, Oxford University, West . Relations, Ukraine —, Azerbaijan, International Criminal Locations: Russian, Russia, Moscow, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Balkans, Azerbaijan

☆ Hunter Biden conviction shatters Trump’s persecution narrative
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In his first reaction to the verdict, Hunter Biden didn’t attack the judge or prosecutors, simply saying he was grateful for the love and support of his family and blessed to be clean again. The Hunter Biden verdict also contradicted the central rationale of Trump’s multiple legal defenses in his four criminal cases, several civil matters and his entire presidential campaign. “So much for the weaponization of the Justice Department to go after just the enemies of the other side,” Michael Zeldin, a former senior Justice Department official and federal prosecutor, said on CNN Max on Tuesday. Stephen Miller, Trump’s former White House domestic policy adviser, argued that the Justice Department had actually shown favoritism toward Hunter Biden by not charging him with 50 felonies over foreign influence peddling. “Hunter Biden just became the Deep State’s sacrificial lamb to show that Justice is ‘balanced’ while the other Biden crimes remain ignored,” she wrote on X.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Hunter, “, ”, Hunter Biden, Trump, ” Trump, Phil McGraw, couldn’t, ” Michael Zeldin, CNN Max, General Merrick, Garland, David Weiss, Weiss, “ Hunter Biden, ” Ken Buck, CNN’s Erin Burnett, ” Julian Zelizer, he’s, who’s, He’s, ” Zelizer, Democratic Sen, Robert Menendez, Henry Cuellar, Jamie Raskin, James Comer, Big Guy, ” Comer, Mike Johnson, Stephen Miller, Trump’s, ” Miller, Marjorie Taylor Greene, baselessly Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, Fox News, Trump, Democratic, Department, White House, Republican, Justice, Princeton University, “, Robert Menendez of New, Biden, Maryland Democrat, Kentucky Republican, Big, Louisiana Republican, BIG, Georgia Locations: America, Manhattan, Delaware, Robert Menendez of, Robert Menendez of New Jersey, New York, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Mexican, United States, Kentucky, Ukraine, China, Louisiana

☆ Moscow derides peace summit; Ukraine says using Western weapons to strike Russia could be a game changer
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Russia has poured scorn on Ukraine's attempts to invite its former Soviet allies to a forthcoming peace summit in Switzerland, saying the invitation had been rejected by its neighbors. "Kyiv and its Western handlers actively sought to attract representatives from the countries of the global South and East. Russia jealously guards its influence over the CIS, which includes Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, Western countries have tried to strengthen their relations with several member countries of CIS, much to Russia's disdain. Russia is sensitive over what it sees as Western encroachment on its own backyard, particularly as the CIS' membership has dwindled in recent years.

Persons: Ilham Aliyev, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Vladimir Putin, Emomali Rahmon, Alexander Lukashenko, Mikhail Galuzin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Galuzin, — Holly Ellyatt Organizations: Commonwealth of Independent States, Tass, CIS, Commonwealth, CNBC, Russian, Georgia Locations: Turkmenistan, Russian, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Soviet, Switzerland, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, CIS, Baltic States, Soviet Union, Moldova, Ukraine, Kyiv

☆ In Former Soviet States, a Tug of War Between East and West
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Andrew Higgins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In Georgia, protesters waving European Union flags have rallied against what they see as their pro-Russia leaders. Moldova’s government is pushing to join the bloc, enraging citizens hoping for closer relations with Moscow. Fueled in part by the Ukraine war, tensions have been mounting within some of the former lands of the Soviet Union, pitting those favoring closer relations with Russia against those orientated more toward Europe. Many of those tensions predate the war, rooted in longstanding domestic struggles over power, money and other issues, but they have been amplified by geopolitics, with both Russia and the West pushing countries to choose a side. Across the former Soviet Union “the whole context is now shaped by how the Ukraine war has radicalized competition between Russia and the West,” said Gerard Toal, author of “Near Abroad,” a study of Russia’s relations with former Soviet territories.

Persons: ”, Gerard Toal Organizations: Soviet, Soviet Union “, “ Locations: Georgia, Russia, Moscow, Armenia, Europe, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Soviet Union, Soviet

☆ Republican Navy Veteran Will Face Henry Cuellar in South Texas
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Jazmine Ulloa | More About Jazmine Ulloa | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Jay Furman, a retired Navy officer, has won the Republican nomination to challenge embattled Representative Henry Cuellar of South Texas in November, according to The Associated Press. Mr. Furman defeated his challenger, Lazaro Garza Jr., a rancher, in a runoff after the two emerged as the top vote-getters in a crowded March primary. Mr. Cuellar, a centrist Democrat, is still largely expected to win re-election in Texas’ 28th Congressional District. But the terrain has become somewhat more favorable for Republicans after Mr. Cuellar was indicted this month on federal bribery and money-laundering charges. In his district, which stretches from his hometown, Laredo, and the U.S. southern border to the eastern outskirts of San Antonio, Mr. Cuellar is considered an institution.

Persons: Jay Furman, Henry Cuellar, Furman, Lazaro Garza Jr, Cuellar, Imelda Cuellar, Donald J, Trump, —, Biden Organizations: Navy, Republican, Associated Press, Democrat, Congressional Locations: Henry Cuellar of South Texas, Texas, Mexican, Azerbaijan, Laredo, U.S, San Antonio

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Iran President Raisi funeral, ICC arrest warrant request
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A rescue team works following the crash of a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, on May 20. West Asia News Agency/ReutersThe chief of staff for the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has revealed new details about the hours after the presidential helicopter went missing. "However, the president's helicopter, which was flying between the two others, suddenly disappeared," Esmaili added, as cited by Mher news. The pilot circled around to search for the president's helicopter, he said. "Pilots of the two other helicopters had contacted Captain Mostafavi, who was in charge of the president's helicopter," he said.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Gholam Hossein Esmaili, Esmaili, Raisi's, Esmail, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Mostafavi, Mohammad Ali Alehashem, Alehashem Organizations: West Asia News Agency, Reuters, Iran's, Mehr, Mehr News, Iranian, Pilots Locations: Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, Azerbaijan, Varzeghan —, Abdollahian

☆ Iran President Raisi: Days of funeral ceremonies begin as investigators probe helicopter crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Funeral ceremonies are set to begin on Tuesday for the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi following his death in a helicopter crash, as authorities probe what caused the aircraft to smash into the side of a remote mountainside during foggy weather on Sunday morning. A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi takes off on May 19, 2024, before the crash took place. There is no indication what might have caused the crash – and why so many senior Iranian government officials were traveling in a single, decades-old helicopter. A high-ranking delegation will go to the crash site in Eastern Azerbaijan, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency. Inside Iran, where many of the country’s restive youth population have grown tired of rule by conservative clerics, Raisi had a much more polarizing legacy.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Ayatollah Khamenei, Mohsen Mansouri, Ali Hamed Haghdoust, Mansouri, Reza, Khamenei, “, ”, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Uraloglu, Iran’s, ’, Ayatollah Khamenei —, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong, Kim, Xi, Raisi’s, Azin, ” Xi, Putin, Russia, ” Raisi, Raisi Organizations: CNN, Wana News Agency, Reuters, Mehr, Iranian, Turkish Transportation, Infrastructure, TRT, Moj News Agency, AP, Kremlin, US Locations: Tabriz, Iran, Qom, Tehran, Mashhad, Turkey, Turkish, Eastern Azerbaijan, Israel, Korean, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, China, North Korea, Russia, Iranian

☆ Raisi helicopter crash: Some in Iran claim US sanctions to blame but the truth may be more complicated
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Nic Robertson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Even before Iran’s army chief Mohammad Bagheri ordered an investigation into the helicopter crash that cost the Islamic Republic the lives of two of its top politicians, blame was being laid at America’s door. People mourn the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash the previous day, at Valiasr Square, on May 20, 2024 in Tehran, Iran. The next question might be, knowing the weather was bad and having three helicopters on the journey, why put both president and foreign minister in the same aircraft? Former Foreign Minister Zarif would want the world to believe Iran’s technological core has been hollowed out by US sanctions, but that allegation too is tainted by hubris. Iran’s presidents are not idle, they need to go places.

Persons: Mohammad Bagheri, Ebrahim Raisi, Javad Zarif acidly, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Raisi –, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, Malek Rahmati, Mohammed Ali Alehashem –, Ilham Aliyav, Majid Saeedi, Yemen’s Houthis, AKINCI, Ali Khamenei, –, Russia –, Zarif, Raisi Organizations: CNN, Islamic, Bell, Turkish Transport, Revolutionary Guard Corps, Former Locations: Islamic Republic, America’s, United States, Iran, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Tabriz, Tehran, Turkish, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey

☆ Iran begins days of nationwide funeral rites for President Ebrahim Raisi after helicopter crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

People attend funeral ceremony, held for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his senior officials died in a helicopter crash, in Tabriz, Iran on May 21, 2024. Thousands of mourners descended on Tabriz on Tuesday for a funeral ceremony honoring Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who perished in a helicopter crash over the weekend, leaving an indelible void in the country's leadership succession plans. Some mourners are shown brandishing photographs of Raisi, while others trooped behind lines awaiting the procession. Services for Raisi will be held between Tuesday and Thursday in Tabriz, Qom, Birjand and Iranian capital Tehran. "Our honorable Raisi worked tirelessly," Khamenei said on the X social media platform on Monday.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amirabdollahian, IRNA, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Raisi, Khamenei, Butcher, Mahsa, Amirabdolahian, Bashar Assad Organizations: Iranian, Islamic Republic News Agency, CNBC, Raisi, Human Rights Watch, Palestinian, Hamas Locations: Tabriz, Iran, Qom, Birjand, Tehran, Mashhad, Azerbaijan, East, Israel

☆ Live updates: Iran President Ebrahim Raisi dead in helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan Province
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | Jerome Taylor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

Iranian state broadcasters are airing Islamic prayers in between their news broadcasts following the announcement that President Ebrahim Raisi and eight others died after the helicopter they were traveling in crashed in Iran's East Azerbaijan province. Iran's government convened an "urgent meeting" on Monday, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA. A photo shared by IRNA showed that the chair that Raisi usually sits in was vacant and draped with a black sash in memory of the president.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, IRNA Organizations: IRNA Locations: Iran's East Azerbaijan province, Iran's

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