DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ 2024 WNBA season: A historic year for women’s basketball, both on and off the court
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —With confetti falling from the rafters, a boisterous Brooklyn crowd bellowing and the victorious New York Liberty celebrating, the curtain fell on the 2024 WNBA season. ‘The perfect storm’The latest edition of the WNBA season had all the hallmarks for booming success, with all the pieces falling into place almost serendipitously. The Fever superstar also set rookie season records for both points and three-pointers made and became the first rookie to get a triple-double. Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson was named WNBA MVP for the third time following the 2024 season. It’s super exciting and kind of crazy to say that.”The New York Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx to win the 2024 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center.

Persons: LaChina Robinson, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, it’s, ’ ” Robinson, Robinson, –, agonizingly, Liberty –, Sarah Stier, ” Robinson, “ I’m, “, Chelsea Gray, Charisma Osborne, ” Osborne, They’ve, Clark, Reese, A’ja Wilson, Darron Cummings, Osborne, “ It’s, UConn’s irrepressibly, Paige Bueckers, Wilson, “ We’ve, ”, A'ja Wilson, Kirby Lee, they’ve, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, we’ll, Wendell Cruz, Gray, I’ve Organizations: CNN, New York Liberty, WNBA, CNN Sport, Minnesota Lynx, Liberty, Barclays Center, Phoenix Mercury, Aces, ESPN, UCLA, Indiana, Chicago Sky, Sky, Las Vegas Aces, USA, Sports, Reuters, YouTube, Area Locations: Brooklyn, Nevada

Former Marine Paul Whelan said he was devastated when a Biden administration official told him WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner was being released from Russian detention after nine months and he was not. The official told him that to free Griner, the U.S. had traded convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s price for releasing the celebrity athlete. “It was a sham.”When he refused, Whelan said he was placed in a cell where the lights were left on around the clock. After he was sentenced to 16 years of forced labor, the Russian trial judge said he would probably be released in two weeks. “The prison food is even worse.”They subsisted, Whelan said, on tea, bread, watery soup, “the kind of fish only Russians eat.

Persons: Marine Paul Whelan, Brittney Griner, Whelan, Viktor Bout, Vladimir Putin’s, What’s, ”, “, ” Whelan, Trevor Reed, Konstantin Yaroshenko, Reed, Evan Gershkovich, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Alsu, Antony Blinken, David Whelan, ’ ” Whelan, Putin, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Alexei Navalny, Flora, Andrews, Biden, Andrea Mitchell, he’ll, he’s Organizations: Marine, Biden, WNBA, NBC News, Homeland Security, U.S ., British, Kremlin, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Marines, State Department, CIA Locations: U.S, Russia, Russian, Michigan, Russian American, Radio Free Europe, Moscow, Canada, British, Iraq, Turkey, Manchester , Michigan

☆ The CIA, a Navy Seal and a $15m bounty. This alleged plot on Venezuela’s Maduro reads like a Hollywood script, for a reason
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-12 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

So, is there anything to Venezuela’s claims? Hollywood script and a convenient bogeymanThe details of the alleged plot read like the script of a Hollywood thriller. Given the nature of the allegations, Venezuela’s claims are almost impossible to independently verify. In October last year, before the release of “Fat Leonard” and Co, Maduro had promised the US that Venezuela’s election would be free and fair. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro celebrates with supporters following the election results in Caracas on July 29, 2024.

Persons: –, Nicolas Maduro, Leonard ”, Maduro, Venezuela’s, United States “, Diosdado Cabello, Cabello, John Kirby, – Wilbert Castañeda –, Kirby, Castañeda, Stringer, Donald Trump, Juan Manuel Santos, Matthew Heath, Heath, Hugo Chavez, d’etat, Cabello’s, “, ”, Yuri Cortez, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Brittney Griner, Evan Gershkovich, Biden, Kamala Harris, Alex Saab Organizations: CNN, CIA, US State Department, United, State Department, US Justice Department, US Navy, Navy, Security, Anadolu, Getty, of Justice, Venezuelan, Wall Street, Chevron Locations: United, Venezuela, Caracas, Spanish, United States, Czech, Venezuelan, Colombian, Washington, Falcon, AFP, –

☆ Putin hails ‘very close’ links with Iran at landmark first meeting with president, as Middle East tensions soar
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Lauren Kent | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Iran has supplied thousands of “Shahed” attack drones to Russia, and according to US officials, built a drone factory in Russia. “We are actively working together in the international arena and our assessments of events taking place in the world are often very close,” Putin said during the landmark meeting, according to Russian state media outlet TASS. In a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Tehran last week, the Iranian leader called for accelerating joint projects. Meanwhile, Russia expressed interest in expanding trade and economic cooperation as well as diversifying its bilateral trade with Iran. “But, of course, the situation in the Middle East will not be ignored, it will also be on the agenda.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Masoud, “, ” Putin, ”, Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Bashar al, Assad, Bassiri Tabrizi, Ebrahim Raisi, Mikhail Mishustin, Pezeshkian, Dmitry Peskov, Viktor Bout, Brittney, Bout, ” CNN’s Gianluca Mezzofiore, Natasha Bertrand, Kylie Atwood Organizations: CNN, Central, Ukraine, Moscow, Analysts, Russian, TASS, Street, Chatham House Locations: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Iran, Ukraine, Russia, “, Moscow, Tehran, Syrian, Russian, Yemen

☆ The Russian arms dealer who was exchanged for Brittney Griner is trying to sell weapons to the Houthis: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Joshua Nelken-Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Viktor Bout is brokering weapons sales to Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, per The Wall Street Journal. Houthi rebels have been attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea since last year. AdvertisementThe notorious Russian arms dealer, who was exchanged for US basketball star Brittney Griner two years ago, is trying to sell weapons to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, according to The Wall Street Journal. According to an April Defense Intelligence Agency report, container shipping through the Red Sea has declined massively, alternative shipping routes are increasing voyage costs, and insurance premiums for Red Sea transits have spiked. While the weapons deal reportedly orchestrated by Viktor Bout does not involve anti-ship missiles, it would still represent a notable Russian intervention in the ongoing Red Sea crisis.

Persons: Viktor Bout, Brittney, Houthi, —, Griner, Louise Nevill, Marsh, Antony Blinken, Blinken Organizations: Street, Service, US, Wall Street, Kremlin ultranationalist, Kremlin, Business, April Defense Intelligence Agency, Reuters, Ukraine Locations: Iran, Yemen, Red, Europe, East, Africa, Russia, Moscow, Israel, Gaza

6 Indiana Fever were defeated 87-81 in Game 2 by the third-seeded Sun to complete the best-of-three series sweep. Clark – who was named the unanimous AP WNBA Rookie of the Year on Sunday – led all scorers with 25 points and also had nine assists and six rebounds. Diana Taurasi plays what could be her last ever game as Lynx eliminate MercuryDiana Taurasi might have played her last ever WNBA game. She is a former MVP, three-time WNBA champion, six-time EuroLeague champion, six-time Olympic champion, 11-time WNBA All-Star and is widely considered to be one of the best women’s basketball players ever. She tied the WNBA playoff game scoring record with 42 points on 70% shooting, also recording five rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

Persons: Caitlin Clark’s, Clark –, –, ” Clark, “, ”, Clark, DiJonai Carrington, Jessica Hill, Boston, DeWanna Bonner –, Alyssa Thomas, Diana Taurasi, Napheesa Collier, Taurasi, that’s, Stephen Maturen, Griner, Natasha Cloud, Collier Organizations: CNN, Connecticut Sun, Minnesota Lynx, Indiana Fever, AP WNBA, WNBA, Indiana, Sun, Connecticut, Lynx, Phoenix Mercury, Target Center, Mercury, Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty Locations: Iowa, South Carolina, Connecticut, Minnesota

☆ Simone Biles leads star-studded cast of US gymnasts headlining ‘victory lap’ Gold Over America Tour
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-21 | by ( Coy Wire | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Biles said in a press release that she is “so excited” and described the tour as “a victory lap around the US.”“It’s more of a celebration tour,” Biles told CNN’s Coy Wire ahead of the tour’s upcoming fourth show in San Jose on Saturday. Biles and co. visited Los Angeles on Friday, with the next leg of the tour scheduled to take place in San Jose on Saturday. This is the second Gold Over America Tour that Biles has led. The tour has been referred to by its acronym “GOAT,” more than likely a nod to Biles’ legendary standing in professional gymnastics. Part of warmup for a recent involved a spot of “goat yoga,” which saw Biles and Chiles balance a live goat on their backs.

Persons: Simone Biles, Biles, ” Biles, CNN’s Coy Wire, “, Jordan Chiles, Naomi Baker, Diana Taurasi, Brittney, Jordan Chiles –, Paris Olympics – Jade Carey, Hezly Rivera, Joscelyn Roberson, ” Chiles, CNN’s, ” Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Frederick Richard, Richard, Peter Cziborra, Reuters Canada’s Peng, Peng Lee, Ellie Black, Mélanie, Jesus dos Santos, Casimir Schmidt, Chiles Organizations: CNN, America Tour, America, Phoenix Mercury, Saturday, Paris Olympics, Reuters Locations: United States, San Jose, Paris, Oceanside , California, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Orlando, Detroit, Netherlands

☆ Whelan says he spent last five days in Russian detention in solitary confinement
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Paul Whelan, who spent five-and-a-half years wrongfully detained in Russia, revealed Tuesday that he had spent the final five days leading up to his release in solitary confinement. “It was due to people like my parents, who grew up in England during the war. It was that kind of, you know, resiliency that saw them through their childhood in England, and that’s how I grew up. Whelan said it was great to be back but “there’s a lot ahead.”“One of the things I’m focused on is getting a new car. Whelan also expressed gratitude for the government agencies who helped secure his release.

Persons: CNN — Paul Whelan, ”, “, ” Whelan, Whelan, Marc Fogel, Marc, Trevor, Reed Organizations: CNN, Capitol, Michigan Locations: Russia, PISA, “, England, United States, Germany, readjusting, American

☆ Gaza hostage families urge Trump and Harris to bring Americans home
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Matthew Chance | Yon Pomrenze | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

We want to hear that both candidates understand and acknowledge there are seven Americans still in captivity, and that the US is fully committed to bringing them back,” Ronen Neutra, a US-Israeli dual citizen from New York, told CNN. His 22-year-old son, Omer, is a serving Israeli soldier and was abducted by Hamas during the October 7 attacks. His body is still being held by Hamas in Gaza. “We want to hear new ideas from both candidates and for them to commit to adopting a fresh approach to all the players,” Chen told CNN. Yon Pomrenze/CNNOver 100 hostages remain in Gaza today, as living conditions in the Palestinian enclave crumble under Israeli forces’ months-long siege.

Persons: Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, ” Ronen Neutra, Omer, ”, Adi Alexander, Edan, Joe, Biden, Harris, Ronen Neutra, Ruby Chen, Jonathan Dekel, Chen, Liz Naftali, Orna Neutra, Yael Alexander, Chip Somodevilla, Itay, ” Chen, Evan Gershkovich, Brittney Griner, ” Alexander, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Bibi Netanyahu, I’m, Trump, Yon Pomrenze, ’ Organizations: Tel, Tel Aviv CNN —, CNN, Trump, White, Wall Street Locations: Tel Aviv, Gaza, New York, Israel, Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Gulf, Washington, Moscow, Germany

☆ For Brittney Griner, a gold-medal Olympic run brings a gratitude for freedom
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Chantel Jennings | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS — Brittney Griner knew she would get emotional, but didn’t think it would be like this. “And then to be here and win gold for my country, representing when my country fought for me so hard for me to even be standing here. Advertisement“It’s a great day,” Griner said Aug. 1, the same day her team picked up its second Olympics win. She’s so thankful to be here.”Throughout her time in France, Griner consistently brought up her gratitude for returning to her teammates and to the game she loves. “And I was able to bring back gold for my country.”(Photo of Brittney Griner: Daniela Porcelli / Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images)

Persons: Brittney Griner, Griner, “, mpic qu Organizations: PARIS, United, France, Bercy Arena, Griner, ev e Locations: United States

CNN —Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva said she’s “finally being treated as a human being” following her release from Russian detention in a historic prisoner exchange between Washington and the Kremlin last week. “I’ve been waking up from that nightmare,” Kurmasheva told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead” in her first television interview since her release. Kurmasheva rushed into the arms of her husband and daughters on the tarmac after greeting Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. The US-backed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist had been detained in October 2023 and found guilty of spreading false information about the Russian army – charges her family and employer deny. Kurmasheva and her husband, Pavel Butorin, have two daughters, including one who turned 13 just minutes after reuniting with her mother.

Persons: Alsu Kurmasheva, she’s “, “ I’ve, ” Kurmasheva, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Kurmasheva, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Pavel Butorin, Tapper, ”, Pavel, ” Pavel, wasn’t, —, Gershkovich, haven’t, Vladyslav, Ihar, Andrey Kuznechyk, Kurmasheva’s, she’s, we’ll, Vadim Krasikov, Biden, Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, Carstens, Trevor Reed, Brittney Griner, we’ve, We’ve, ” Carstens, ” Sen, Lindsey Graham, Marc Fogel, Fogel, someone’s, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: CNN, Base Andrews, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Wall Street, RFE, Ukrainian Service, publication’s, publication’s Belarus Service, Belarus Service, ” Hostage, Biden, Hostage Affairs, US, Fox News, South Carolina Republican Locations: American, Washington, Maryland, Radio Free Europe, Russian, Kazan, Moscow, Ankara, ”, Russia, Crimea, publication’s Belarus, Minsk, Belarus, Germany, Berlin

☆ 3 Americans returned in Russia prisoner swap may face challenges
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Ashley R. Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Brittney Griner, left, and Trevor Reed, were released from detention in Russia in 2022 and returned to the United States in separate prisoner exchanges. Getty ImagesAfter the dust settlesWhelan, Gershkovich and Kurmasheva headed to Brooke Army Medical Center for medical evaluations and additional care for as long as necessary, a US official told CNN. The non-profit supports detainees and hostages while they’re still held in captivity and after their release back to the US, Cathcart told CNN. Matthew Heath was released from being detained in Venezuela in a prisoner swap in October of 2022. Matthew HeathReturnees might return to a different family dynamic than what they were used to, according to Cathcart.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Whelan, Gershkovich, Kurmasheva, Brittney Griner, Viktor Bout, Roger Carstens, “, ”, Matthew Heath, he’s, ” Heath, Trevor Reed, Griner, Liz Cathcart, they’re, Cathcart, ” Cathcart, ” Readjusting, Jorge Toledo, CNN reintegrating, ” Toledo, CNN’s Pamela Brown, who’s, they’ve, It’s, ” Arianna Galligher, ” Griner, you’re, Heath, CNN’s Simone McCarthy, Anna Chernova, Nathan Hodge, Jennifer Hansler, Rosa Flores, Colin McCullough, Nouran Salahieh Organizations: CNN, Base Andrews, Wall Street, US State Department, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Russian, Associated Press, Brooke Army Medical Center, Hostage, Citgo Corporation, The Ohio State University Wexner, Resilience, New York Times Magazine, Phoenix Mercury, ” Locations: Maryland, Russia, Russian American, Moscow, Prague, Radio Free Europe, San Antonio , Texas, Knoxville , Tennessee, Venezuela, United States, Heath, “, Cathcart

☆ Joint Base Andrews: Three freed Americans back on US soil in Maryland after historic prisoner swap
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Elizabeth Whelan hugs her brother Paul Whelan at Joint Base Andrews following his release from a Russian prison. Alex Brandon/APPresident Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris walk with family members of the returning Americans to greet them at Joint Base Andrews. Today, their agony is over,” said Biden, who hosted the families of Gershkovich, Whelan, Kurmasheva and Kara-Murza at the White House. Whelan, Gershkovich and Kurmasheva flew roughly 10 hours from Ankara, Turkey, on top of a three hour and 45 minute flight from Moscow to Ankara. This is typical protocol for wrongfully detained Americans who return home.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Whelan, Gershkovich, Harris, Biden, Kurmasheva, “, ”, ” Biden, Feedback Biden, CNN Whelan, Vladimir Kara, Murza, –, Vadim Krasikov, Elizabeth Whelan, Joint Base Andrews, Alex Brandon, Base Andrews, Brittney Griner Organizations: CNN, Wall Street, Joint Base Andrews, Street Journal, US State Department, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Washington Post, Joint Base, Base, AP, White, National Security Council, State Department, Brooke Army Medical Center, Defense Department Locations: American, United States, Russia, Maryland, Moscow, Radio Free Europe, Germany, Poland, Norway, Slovenia, Gershkovich, Kara, Ankara, Turkey, San Antonio, PISA

☆ Photos capture the moment Americans released in a historic prisoner swap touch down on US soil
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Sarah Gray | Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewThe Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kumasheva touched down at Joint Base Andrews on Thursday night. The trio were greeted by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris after being freed from detention in Russia as part of a massive multi-country prisoner swap, the largest exchange in post-Soviet history. Former US Marine Paul Whelan was the first to disembark, where he was greeted by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Evan Gershkovich hugging his mother Ella Milman after speaking to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Persons: —, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kumasheva, Joint Base Andrews, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Whelan, Whelan's, David, Whelan wasn't, Britney Griner, Paul, Former US Marine Paul Whelan, Andrew Harnik, Gershkovich, Ella Milman, Kurmasheva, Pavel Butorin, Bibi, Miriam, Kevin Mohatt Organizations: Service, Street, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Joint Base, Business, Marine, CBS, Former US Marine, Getty, Reuters, Brooke Army Medical Center Locations: Radio Free Europe, Russia, American, San Antonio , Texas

☆ How the Russian prisoner swap that freed Evan Gershkovich unfolded over two years
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Carol-Lee-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Carol E. Lee | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

The effort took on extra urgency in March 2023, when the Russians arrested Gershkovich, a senior administration official said. Days later, NBC News reported that a deal that could have sprung Navalny, Gershkovich and Whelan had been in the works. After Biden and Scholz met on Feb. 9, Scholz told Biden he was on board. Vice President Kamala Harris also discussed the prisoner swap with Scholz, telling him that Krasikov was a critical component of getting a prisoner swap with Russia, a White House official said. That was when he called the Slovenian prime minister to make sure his country was ready to release the Russian in their custody.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Brittney Griner, Biden, Viktor Bout, Paul Whelan ’, Whelan, Paul Whelan, Antony Blinken, “, ” Blinken, Sergei Lavrov, Gershkovich, Blinken, Lavrov, ” Lavrov, ”, ” Gershkovich, Alexei Navalny, Navalny, Vadim Krasikov, Zelimkhan, Olaf Scholz, Krasikov, Griner, Whalen, Joe Biden, Scholz, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Elizabeth Whelan, Sullivan, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Kurmasheva, ” Biden Organizations: Wall Street, Marine, AP, NBC News, Berlin, White, Biden Locations: Russia, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Berlin, Moscow, Germany, Chechen, Russian, U.S, Nevada, Slovenian

☆ What a historic prisoner swap means for Vladimir Putin’s Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Nathan Hodge | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Among those headed back to Russia are convicted hackers and several Russian nationals detained in the West for spying. And the biggest prize for Russia was the return of Vadim Krasikov, a convicted hitman whose release had been publicly sought by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Anna Chapman, one of 10 Russian sleeper agents deported from the US in a 2010 prisoner swap, was also feted on her return to Russia. Britain blamed the poisoning on Russia; Russia has consistently denied involvement, although Putin referred to Skripal as a “scumbag” and a “traitor,” his contempt suggesting that Skripal had gotten his just desserts. The release of Russians in the swap means that Russia’s political climate is no less repressive.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara, John le, Vadim Krasikov, Vladimir Putin, Krasikov, Zelimkhan, Tucker Carlson, Putin, Khangoshvili, ” Krasikov, Viktor Bout, Brittney, US Department of Justice –, Bout, Anna Chapman, Chapman, ”, Sergei Skripal, Skripal, Yulia, Novichok, Frank Augstein, Alexander Litvinenko, Litvinenko, Andrei Lugovoi, Dmitri Kovtun –, Lugovoi, Alexey Navalny, Navalny, Roman Abramovich, Hillary Clinton, Murza –, –, Alexandra Skochilenko Organizations: CNN, Wall Street, Russia, Berlin Police, US Department of Justice, Hollywood, St ., Economic, Russian, Kremlin, European, of Human Rights Locations: American, Ukraine, Russia, Chechen, Berlin, Russian, St, St . Petersburg, United Kingdom, English, Salisbury, Britain, England, British, Moscow, Washington, United States

CNN —A large-scale prisoner swap between the US and Russia is under way, according to a source familiar, and it is expected to include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan and a number of Americans. The parties have agreed to a prisoner transfer and the prisoners are expected to be in the care of US officials, according to a senior administration official. The deal would end a nightmare that lasted more than five years for Whelan and more than a year for Gershkovich. The former US Marine was sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges he vehemently denies. In April of that year, Moscow exchanged former US Marine Trevor Reed for Russian citizen and convicted drug trafficker Konstantin Yaroshenko.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Whelan, Gershkovich, Whelan –, –, ” It’s, Trevor Reed, Konstantin Yaroshenko, Brittney Griner, Viktor Bout Organizations: CNN, Wall Street, Gershkovich, US State Department, Marine, Russian Locations: Russia, Moscow, Washington, Yekaterinburg, Irish, Mordovia, Russian

☆ Who was freed in major prisoner swap between Russia and the West?
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The German court that convicted Krasikov in 2021 said he acted on behalf of the Russian state, shooting Khangoshvili “execution style” in broad daylight. Vadim Konoshchenok, 48An undated photo of Vadim Konoshchenok included in a 2022 court document. He was arrested in February 2022, according to the Polish state news agency PAP. Lilia Chanysheva, 42Lilia Chanysheva stands is seen during a hearing at the Kirovskiy District Court in Ufa, Russia, on June 14, 2023. He was sentenced to four years in a penal colony in July 2022, according to Amnesty International.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Vadim Krasikov, Vadim Krasikov Berlin Police Krasikov, Krasikov, Zelimkhan, Khangoshvili, Ramzan Kadyrov, Putin, Viktor Bout, Whelan, Brittney, Biden, Alexey Navalny, Vadim Konoshchenok, Konoshchenok, Vladislav Klyushin, Klyushin, Roman Seleznev, US Department of Justice Roman Seleznev, Seleznev, Artem Dultsev, Ludvig Gish, Anna Dultseva, Dultsev, Maria Rosa Mayer Munos, Mikhail Mikushin, Pavel Rubtsov, Pablo Gonzalez, Oihana Goiriena, Vincent West, Pablo Gonzales, Natalia Kolesnikova, Kirill Kudryavtsev, US Marine Whelan, Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, Liberty Alsu Kurmasheva, Alexey Nasyrov, Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Kara, Vladimir Putin’s “, ”, Rico Krieger, Krieger, Alexander Lukashenko, Kevin Lik, Lick, Dieter, Voronin, Ivan Safronov, Roscosmos, Demuri Voronin, Safronov, Herman Moyzhes, Moyzhes, Patrick Schoebel, Schoebel, Ilya Yashin, Yuri Kochetkov, ” Alexandra Skochilenko, Alexandra Skochilenko, Anton Vaganov, Skochilenko, “, ” Oleg Orlov, Oleg Orlov, Lilia Chanysheva, Chanysheva, Ksenia Fadeeva, Maxim Shemetov, Fadeeva, Vadim Ostanin, Alexei Navalny’s, Ostanin, Andrei Pivovarov, Pivovarov Organizations: CNN, Vadim Krasikov Berlin Police, Chechen, Russian, Krasikov, US Department of Justice, US, Office, Eastern, of, Attorney's, University of Tromsø, Reuters, Court, Getty, Street, US Marine, US State Department, Radio Free, Liberty, AP, Belarusian TV, Belteleradio, Human Rights, German Red Cross, TASS, German Federal Intelligence Service, Pulkovo, Ukraine, Amnesty International Locations: American, Russia, Moscow, Berlin’s Kleiner, Russian, Georgia, Estonia, of New York, Boston, Sion , Switzerland, United States, Maldives, Slovenia, Ljubljana, Norway, Brazilian, Nabarniz, Spain, Poland, Spanish, Sverdlovsk, AFP, Irish, Radio Free Europe, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Belarusian, German, Belarus, Berlin, Germany, Europe, St . Petersburg, St, Petersburg, Meshansky, Bucha, Kyiv, Saint Petersburg, Kirovskiy, Ufa, Bashkortostan, Tomsk, Krasnodar

The Russian officials took the proposal back to Moscow. It was a remarkably swift conclusion to years of painstaking negotiations between the US and more than half a dozen countries. Key to the deal was President Biden’s ability to persuade German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to release Krasikov, the Russian prisoner most keenly sought by Putin. Officials worked quietly throughout this year to get the German government to agree to release Krasikov — including entreaties from both Biden and Harris. President Biden sent a letter to Scholz in April, and the Germans at last agreed to release Krasikov in early June.

Persons: CNN —, Vadim Krasikov, who’d, who’s, Vladimir Putin, Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Bill Burns, Gershkovich, Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Kurmasheva, Joe Biden, Biden, Kamala Harris, Serdar Ozsoy, Biden’s, Olaf Scholz, Putin, Krasikov, Brittney Griner, Burns, –, Viktor Bout, Alexey Navalny, Brendan Smialowski, Antony Blinken, James Rubin, Blinken, Annalena Baerbock, Jake Sullivan, Harris, Scholz, “ Chancellor Scholz, “, Jake, ‘, ’, Sullivan, Navalny, Paul, Evan, ”, Ronald Wittek, Kara, Robert Golob, Kurmasheva’s, Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, Carstens, Jeff Flake, ” Flake, Flake, ” Sullivan Organizations: CNN, CIA, Wall Street, White, Base Andrews, Aircraft, Ankara Esenboga Airport, US Marine, WNBA, State Department, National Security Council, Krasikov, Getty, German, National, Biden, Munich, Conference, US, Munich Security, Aspen Security, Street, Hostage Affairs Locations: Eastern, Russia, Russian, Berlin, Moscow, American, Turkey, Ankara, Chechen, Slovenia, Norway, Poland, Washington , DC, AFP, Germany, ”, Munich, Washington, Slovenian, Mordovia, “

We'll show you how to watch USA vs. Japan from anywhere, including a free streaming option. How to watch USA vs. Japan in the USThe entirety of the Olympics, including today's USA vs. Japan game, will be available to live stream on Peacock. Check price at FuboHow to watch USA vs. Japan in the UKThe USA vs. Japan game will live stream on Eurosport in the UK, along with complete coverage of the rest of the Olympics. How to watch USA vs. Japan in AustraliaThe USA vs. Japan game, in addition to select other Olympic coverage, will be available to live stream through 9Now in Australia. How to watch USA vs. Japan from anywhereIf you happen to be away from Australia when the game tips off, you can still tune in to the above free option using a VPN.

Persons: USA's, it's, Diana Taurasi, A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Brittney, we've, Peacock, Fubo, Stan Sport, ExpressVPN Organizations: Business, States women's basketball, Japan, USA, Tokyo Olympics, today's, NBC, Peacock, Eurosport, BBC Locations: States, Japan, USA, Germany, Belgium, Australia, 9Now, Australian

The WNBA All-Star Game tips off tonight in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Team USA and Team WNBA line-up is one for the books. We've compiled everything you need to know about how to watch the WNBA All-Star Game, including cable and live streaming options. The WNBA All-Star Game brings the top players from every WNBA team together each year to play in a spirited, best-of-the-best match-up. Team WNBA, following the 2021 game ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, wherein Team WNBA beat out Team USA 93-85. How to watch the WNBA All-Star Game in the USThe WNBA All-Star game will tip off on Saturday, July 20, at 8:30 p.m. on ABC in the US.

Persons: We've, Breanna Stewart, A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, DeWanna Bonner, Jonquel Jones, ExpressVPN, USA Napheesa Collier, Mercury Chelsea Gray, Phoenix, Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces Breanna Stewart, Las Vegas Aces Breanna Stewart , New York Liberty Diana Taurasi, Mercury Alyssa Thomas, Mercury Alyssa Thomas , Connecticut Sun A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces Jackie Young, WNBA DeWanna Bonner, Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark, Allisha Gray, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut Sun Jonquel Jones, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut Sun Jonquel Jones , New York Liberty Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx Kelsey Mitchell, Dallas Wings Nneka, Seattle Storm Angel Reese Organizations: Business, WNBA, Team USA, Team WNBA, Paris Olympics, Team, Tokyo, New York Liberty, Eastern, Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, ABC, USA, Minnesota Lynx, Mercury, Seattle Storm, Las Vegas Aces Breanna Stewart , New York Liberty, Mercury Alyssa Thomas , Connecticut Sun, WNBA DeWanna Bonner , Connecticut Sun, Atlanta, Los Angeles Sparks, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut Sun Jonquel Jones , New York, Indiana, Dallas Wings Locations: Phoenix , Arizona, Chicago, Connecticut, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas Aces Breanna Stewart , New, Mercury Alyssa Thomas , Connecticut, WNBA DeWanna Bonner , Connecticut, Boston, Indiana, Los, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut Sun Jonquel Jones , New

☆ Brittney Griner and wife Cherelle welcome a son: ‘That’s my man’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Sydney Bishop | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Brittney Griner will have one more fan cheering her on this Olympic season. The WNBA star and her wife, Cherelle, welcomed their first child on July 8, the 33-year-old Griner revealed Friday on the “She Knows Sports” podcast. “That’s my man,” Griner revealed when asked about her son. And that’s literally what happens.”The two-time gold medalist will be heading to the 2024 Paris Olympics in the coming week. In December, alongside President Joe Biden, Cherelle Griner thanked the administration for helping secure her wife’s release and said she was “overwhelmed with emotions.”

Persons: Brittney, Cherelle, Griner, “, ” Griner, ”, Viktor Bout, Joe Biden, Cherelle Griner Organizations: CNN, WNBA, Team USA, Phoenix Mercury, Russian Locations: Russia, Russian, Moscow, Mordovia

☆ Paul Whelan tells CNN he has ‘sympathy and empathy’ for Evan Gershkovich but expresses hope following sentencing
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Paul Whelan, an American detained in Russia, told CNN he has “sympathy and empathy” for Evan Gershkovich following the conviction and sentencing of the Wall Street Journal reporter, but expressed hope that the development could open the door for a deal to secure both of their release. Whelan, who called CNN from his remote prison camp in Mordovia Friday, said he was able to watch a news broadcast about the sentencing. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier Friday that the US government is working “quite literally every day” to bring Gershkovich and Whelan home. “Look, any effort to bring any American home is going to be part of a process of back-and-forth discussion, potentially negotiation. And I don’t think that’s dependent on an election in the United States or anywhere else,” he said.

Persons: CNN — Paul Whelan, ”, Evan Gershkovich, Whelan, “, Evan, Trevor Reed, Brittney Griner, Gershkovich, ” Whelan, Antony Blinken, we’re, Paul Whelan, ” Blinken, Blinken Organizations: CNN, Wall Street Journal, US State Department, US, Aspen Security, they’ll Locations: Russia, Mordovia, Moscow, United States

Learn moreThe 2024 WNBA All-Star game is just around the corner, which means that it's almost time to watch the biggest names in the WNBA face off. While original tickets have sold out, there are still a few avenues to explore when it comes to how to buy WNBA All-Star Game tickets. Team WNBA and Team USA previously faced off in 2021 ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in an All-Star Game that saw Team WNBA walk away with the win. How to buy WNBA All-Star Game ticketsTickets to the WNBA All-Star Game were originally sold on Ticketmaster but have sold out. How much are WNBA All-Star Game tickets?

Persons: Dearica Hamby, We've, WNBA DeWanna Bonner, Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark, Allisha Gray, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut Sun Jonquel Jones, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut Sun Jonquel Jones , New York Liberty Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx Kelsey Mitchell, Dallas Wings Nneka, Seattle Storm Angel Reese, Chicago Sky Team USA Napheesa Collier, Mercury Chelsea Gray, Phoenix, Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces Breanna Stewart, Las Vegas Aces Breanna Stewart , New York Liberty Diana Taurasi, Mercury Alyssa Thomas, Mercury Alyssa Thomas , Connecticut Sun A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces Jackie Young Organizations: Business, WNBA, USA, Team WNBA, Team USA, Tokyo, Ticketmaster, Vivid, WNBA DeWanna Bonner , Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Atlanta, Los Angeles Sparks, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut Sun Jonquel Jones , New York, Minnesota Lynx, Indiana, Dallas Wings, Seattle Storm, Chicago Sky Team USA, Mercury, Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces Breanna Stewart , New York Liberty, Mercury Alyssa Thomas , Connecticut Sun Locations: Phoenix , Arizona, USA, WNBA DeWanna Bonner , Connecticut, Boston, Indiana, Los, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut, Los Angeles Sparks Brionna Jones , Connecticut Sun Jonquel Jones , New, Las Vegas Aces Breanna Stewart , New, Mercury Alyssa Thomas , Connecticut

☆ Evan Gershkovich: Russia begins espionage trial of US reporter behind closed doors
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The trial of Evan Gershkovich, the first American journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War, began Wednesday morning in a closed door hearing that has been condemned by his newspaper and the United States. While many newsrooms subsequently pulled their reporters out of Russia, Gershkovich remained, covering the war and how it was changing life in Russia. Footage on Wednesday morning showed Gershkovich inside a glass court cage, his head shaved, ahead of the trial due to start imminently behind closed doors. The trial of Gershkovich, the American-born son of Soviet-era emigres to the US, has highlighted the extent to which Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has harmed relations between Moscow and Washington. Gershkovich seen inside an enclosure for defendants in Yekaterinburg, Russia on June 26, 2024.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Gershkovich, Gershkovich “, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, Ella Milman, Mikhail Gershkovich, “ He’s, ” Milman, He’s, Evan, Evgenia Novozhenina, Natalia Kolesnikova, Emma Tucker, “, ” Tucker, Joe Biden, Evan ”, Paul Whelan, Whelan, ”, Biden, Brittney Griner, –, Griner, Viktor Bout, Bout, Putin, Tucker Carlson, Andrei Soldatov, Vladimir Putin, Vadim Krasikov, ” Putin, Gershkovich’s, Mikhail Organizations: CNN, Wall Street, Russia, CIA, WSJ, US State Department, State, Reuters, Getty, Journalism, “, Kremlin, Tucker Carlson Network Locations: American, Russia, United States, Ukraine, Yekaterinburg, Moscow, Washington, Sverdlovsk Regional, Russian, Moscow’s, AFP, Soviet, Ukrainian, Chechen, Berlin

Search resuls for: "Griner"

25 mentions found