DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Russia pumping gas via Ukraine but volumes to Austria cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Last week, Gazprom accused Ukraine of withholding gas supplies destined for Moldova and threatened to reduce those flows, although Ukraine denied the accusation. Russian gas giant Gazprom continued to pump steady volumes of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Saturday, but supplies to Austrian energy company OMV were halted hours after Vienna said Russia had given notice it would cut off flows. Gazprom said it would send 42.4 million cubic metres of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Saturday, the same volume as on Friday. Flows into Slovakia from Ukraine were stable but nominations for flows to Austria from Slovakia were around 16% below averages seen this month, data from transmission system operator Eustream showed. OMV usually accounts for around 40% of Russian gas flows via Ukraine, or some 17 mcm per day.

Persons: Moscow, OMV, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Vladimir Putin, Donald Organizations: Gazprom Locations: Ukraine, Moldova, Europe, Austrian, Vienna, Russia, Germany, Soviet, Kyiv, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria

☆ Ukraine says it cracked open a Russian decoy drone used to fool air defenses and found Western parts inside
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-11 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine said Monday that Russia has been using decoy drones to try and overwhelm its air defenses. Ukraine said it examined a Russian decoy drone and found Western-made parts inside of it. AdvertisementThe Ukrainian military said on Monday that it found Western-made parts inside a Russian decoy drone that was used in an attack over the weekend. However, the decoy drone — which Ukraine calls "Parody" — can apparently mimic the radar signature of a Shahed in a bid to confuse Kyiv's air defenses with fake targets. AdvertisementA look inside a Russian decoy drone.

Persons: —, HUR, Mihai Popșoi Organizations: Monday, Service, Defense Intelligence, Ministry of Defense, Ukraine, Telegram Russia, Getty Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, NATO, Europe, Iran, Tehran, Belarus, Moldovan

☆ Russia and Ukraine exchange record numbers of drone strikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-10 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Maria Kostenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Russia and Ukraine have exchanged record numbers of drone strikes, with Moscow launching a total of 145 drones on Saturday night – the most ever in a single night-time attack of the war. “Last night, Russia launched a record 145 Shaheds and other strike drones against Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday. Shahed drones are cheap, one-way attack drones. The UAVs were shot down over the Moscow regions of Ramenskoye, Kolomna and Domodedovo, Andrey Vorobyov, governor of Moscow region, said. The previous largest drone attack on Moscow was in September, when Russia said it destroyed at least 20 Ukrainian attack drones.

Persons: “, Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia “, ”, Andrey Vorobyov, Tatyana Makeyeva, ” Vorobyov, Zhukovsky Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian Air Force Command, Air Force, Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian MOD, Getty, TASS, Ukrainian Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Russian, Moldova, Belarus, ” Ukraine, Ramenskoye, Stanovoye, AFP, Domodedovo

☆ A worsening kind of Russian warfare was on display in the US presidential election, but it's a much bigger problem
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-09 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Russia's hybrid warfare tactics against the US and Europe are reaching new levels. AdvertisementRussian disinformation and interference — hybrid warfare tactics — are on the rise and again showed up in the US presidential election, but this is a problem for more than just America. Russian tactics were on full display in the 2024 US presidential election. AdvertisementMore than an American problemThis hybrid warfare is a broader problem for other Western countries, too. Moldova's pro-EU incumbent president, Maia Sandu, won reelection despite Russian efforts to sway the election.

Persons: —, Mark Rutte, Clinton, Mikhail Svetlov, it's, Doug Livermore, Donald Trump, Lev Radin, Trump, Livermore, Russia's, Maia Sandu, Daniel MIHAILESCU, Harris, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, aren't Organizations: Service, NATO, FBI, State, intel, Getty, Irregular Warfare, National Intelligence Council, US intel, Infrastructure Security Agency, Ukraine, Moldovan, Union, Xinhua News Agency Locations: Europe, Russia, Moscow, Russian, Washington, China, Iran, US, Republic of Georgia's, France, Germany, AFP, Beijing, North Korea, America

☆ Ukraine is forced to confront a brutal Trump reality that it hoped would never happen
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-07 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

There should be no enduring mystery about what a Trump presidency means for Ukraine. Trump may appoint a cabinet that mildly adjusts the pace or tone of his instincts, but in the end he wants out. Workers remove debris from an apartment building that was damaged during a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on October 29, 2024. Furthermore, Trump enters the White House at perhaps the most perilous time for Kyiv since the start of the war. Those tired of the Ukraine war – be they Kyiv ally or frontline soldier – should still not embrace the idea of a Trump-backed deal.

Persons: upsides, Trump, Donald Trump, ”, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden –, Chasiv Yar, Putin, Thomas Peter, Kim Jong, Qasem Soleimani, Biden, Zelensky, –, Kostiantyn Organizations: CNN, NATO, Trump, Pentagon, Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Congress, Kyiv, Russian, European Union, Kremlin Locations: Ukraine, United States, Europe, Russia, Moscow, Pokrovsk, Donetsk, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Russian, Kyiv, Afghanistan, Singapore, Korean, Bankova, Syria, Ukrainian, Georgia, Moldova

Hoax bomb threats targeting polling places and election offices briefly disrupted voting in five battleground states, with the FBI saying the threats in four of those states came from Russian email domains. “The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains,” the FBI said in a statement Tuesday night. German officials accused Russia of orchestrating bomb threats against several polling places in Moldova’s presidential elections last week. Threats to polling sites and election offices were reported across about a dozen Pennsylvania counties, where targeted polling sites were ordered to stay open late, officials said. “But I think the number of these bomb threats is, if not surprising, very concerning,” he added.

Persons: ”, Bret Schafer, “ It’s, Schafer, Wade Yates, Brad Raffensperger, “, Adrian Fontes, Fontes, Lawrence Norden Organizations: FBI, Russian Embassy, Novosti, Alliance, Democracy, German Marshall Fund, Fulton County, Fulton County Police, Court, Etris, Center, Union City, NBC News, Arizona, ” Police, Philadelphia, Brennan Center for Justice, New York University Law School Locations: Russian, Georgia , Pennsylvania, Arizona , Wisconsin, Michigan, U.S, Russia, Moldova’s, Moscow, Moldova, Georgia, Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Union, Country, Madison , Wisconsin

☆ European leaders breathe a sigh of relief as pro-EU candidate wins Moldova election
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The second round of voting pitted incumbent Maia Sandu against her Russia-backed Party of Socialists opponent Alexandr Stoianoglo, after neither candidate won a majority in the first round last month. With 99.9% of the responses at the poll counted on Monday morning, Sandu won 55.4% of the vote, compared to the 44.6% of Stoianoglo, according to Moldova's Central Electoral Commission. France will continue to stand beside Moldova on its European path," according to a CNBC translation. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, likewise praised Maia Sandu, stating on X that "it takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you've faced in this election. I'm glad to continue working with you towards a European future for Moldova and its people."

Persons: Maia Sandu, Alexandr Stoianoglo, Sandu, we've, Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Sandu's, Ursula von der Leyen, you've, I'm Organizations: Electoral Commission, Moscow, CNBC, European Commission Locations: Soviet, Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, Europe, Georgia, Russian, Republic of Moldova, France

☆ Moldova election: Putin’s latest meddling effort failed. It’s unlikely to stop him trying again
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Clare Sebastian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

According to Moldova’s Central election commission, with 100% of votes counted, Sandu had 55% of the total. Its leader, a regular visitor to Russia, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in March. In his congratulatory note to Sandu Monday, US President Joe Biden declared “Russia failed” in its attempt to undermine Moldova’s democracy. Meanwhile, Ukraine is breathing a sigh of relief at the results of Moldova’s election. If Russia’s gains turn from tactical to strategic, Moldova faces a threat much bigger than election interference.

Persons: Maia Sandu, Sandu, Alexandr Stoianoglu, Konstantin Kosachev, Andrey Klishas, “, ”, Vadim Ghirda, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Vladislav Culiomza, Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: CNN, EU, Moldova’s, Moldovan, Kremlin, European Union, AP, “ Russia, Reuters Locations: Moscow, Russia, Moldova, Russian, Chisinau, upending, Ciopleni, AP Russia, Transnistria, Ukraine, Donbas, Moldova’s, Gagauzia, Sandu, EU, Georgia, trepidation, Romanian

☆ Moldova’s pro-Western president wins 2nd term in runoff overshadowed by Russian meddling claims
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-03 | by ( Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race that was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud, and intimidation in the European Union candidate country. Today, you have saved Moldova!” Sandu said after claiming victory after midnight. Moldova’s large diaspora, which cast ballots in record numbers of more than 325,000 voted, heavily in favor of Sandu in the runoff. The presidential role carries significant powers in areas such as foreign policy and national security and has a four-year term. But the results of the ballots including Sunday’s vote were overshadowed by allegations of a major vote-buying scheme and voter intimidation.

Persons: — Moldova’s, Maia Sandu, Sandu, Alexandr Stoianoglo, ” Sandu, Stoianoglo, ”, “, Ursula von der Leyen, you’ve, Stanislav Secrieru, Secrieru, Dorin Recean, Vladislav Culiomza, Silviana Zestrea, Ilan Shor, oligarch, Shor, Father Vasilii, it’s, Cristian Cantir, ” Savlina, Stringer Organizations: Western, European Union, Central Electoral Commission, CEC, Russia Party of Socialists, “, Sunday, Moldovan, Northampton, Reuters, ”, EU, Police, Associated Press, Oakland University, AP, ” Moldovan Locations: CHISINAU, Moldova, Russia, “ Moldova, Sandu, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Frankfurt, Germany, Liverpool, Soviet, Chisinau, Bucharest, Comrat, Gagauzia, EU, European, Ukraine, Brussels, Moscow

☆ How Russian ‘dirty money’ risks rigging this European country’s presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-02 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

If other Kremlin-friendly parties swing their support behind him, the second round will be extremely close. Both the Kremlin and Shor have denied interference, but Moldovan officials have warned the second vote could also be targeted by similar schemes. He has called for a “reset” of relations with Moscow and said he would be willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, while maintaining he is committed to joining the EU. As a result, his platform is a mix of contradictory policies, said Samurokov: “You either support European integration, or you want to promote cooperation with Moscow. Evgenia Novozhenina/ReutersStill, Moldovan officials are braced for a second round of voting marred by pro-Russian meddling.

Persons: Maia Sandu, Sandu, Alexandr Stoianoglo, Sandu –, Moscow –, Stoianoglo, Vladislav Culiomza, Reuters Sandu, Valeriu Pasha, Ilan Shor, Shor, ” Maksim Samorukov, Sandu’s, ”, Vladimir Putin, Evgenia Novozhenina, ” Pasha, Volodymyr Zelensky, “ Organizations: CNN, European Union, EU, Russian Party of Socialists, World Bank, Moscow, Reuters, Reuters Analysts, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Communist Locations: Soviet, Europe, Moldova, European, Ukraine, Harvard, Chisinau, Russian, Russia, Moscow, Transnistria, Georgian, ”, Georgia

☆ Putin's 'hybrid warfare' pressures neighbors at a crossroads to turn away from the West
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-26 | by ( David Hodari | David Hodari Is A London-Based Editor. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

The American presidential election isn’t the only vote that the Kremlin has its eyes on — and, arguably, is seeking to get its hands in. Two of Russia’s neighbors find themselves at a crossroads, with Moscow hoping to steer them toward its orbit rather than greater engagement with Europe. The key votes in Georgia and Moldova this week are therefore being closely watched across the West. In Georgia, the very possibility of future free and fair elections may be on the ballot. For Moscow’s part, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told NBC News on Friday that “we are in no way attempting and hardly have an opportunity to influence the situation and electoral processes in these countries.”

Persons: doesn't, ” Salome Samadashvili, Dmitry Peskov, ” Organizations: NBC News, European Union, NBC Locations: Moscow, Europe, Georgia, Moldova, In Georgia, Russia

☆ As Georgia votes, fears of a return to Moscow’s orbit loom large
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Ulf Mauder/picture alliance/Getty ImagesMany observers fear the ruling Georgian Dream party will resort to anything to stay in power. This year, Georgian Dream pushed through a Kremlin-style “foreign agent” law, which critics say aims to shut down watchdogs who call the government to account. She described some of the statements made by Georgian Dream officials as a “copy-paste” of those from Stalin’s show trials. ‘Soviet mentality’A question puzzling many is why the formerly center-left Georgian Dream has made a sudden authoritarian pivot. Joining the EU would require cleaning up the country’s judiciary and giving up power if Georgian Dream is voted out on Saturday.

Persons: Joseph Stalin, Stalin “, ”, Stalin, Stalin’s, Ulf Mauder, Ivanishvili –, –, Vladimir Putin’s, “, everybody’s, ” Natalie Sabanadze, Sabanadze, Vano Shlamov, Ivanishvili, Mikheil Saakashvili, ” Younger, Uriel Sinai, Moscow’s, Davit, Georgia’s, Salome Zourabichvili –, Ivanishvili’s, Bera, ” Ivanishvili, Hillary Clinton, Viktor Orban, Irakli Kobakhidze, Orban, Mirian, Levan Khabeishvili –, Khabeishvili, “ Ivanishvili, He’s, Giorgi Arjevanidze, Sergei Naryshkin Organizations: CNN, Joseph, Joseph Stalin Museum, European Union, Party, Chatham House, Georgian, Getty, Kremlin, Stalin, –, Governance, NATO, EU, Hungary’s, Conservative Political, Georgia’s, Police, Western United National Movement, UNM, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service Locations: Gori, Soviet, Caucasus, Georgian, Soviet Union, Georgia, Russia, Everybody’s, London, Chatham, Tbilisi, AFP, Moscow, Georgia’s South Ossetia, Gori ., Abkhazia, Gori , Georgia, Ukraine, Europe, Budapest, Anadolu, Nuremberg, Brussels, Moldova, Belarus

☆ Moldova leader decries vote meddling after slim majority backs joining the E.U.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Stoianoglo has said that, if elected, he would build a “balanced” foreign policy involving ties with the EU, the United States, Russia and China. In the run-up to Sunday’s referendum, polls had shown clear majority support for joining the EU. A “yes” result means a clause will be added to the constitution defining EU accession as a goal. The EU leapt to Sandu’s defence, saying Moldova had faced “really unprecedented intimidation and foreign interference by Russia and its proxies ahead of this vote”. The tight referendum result could put Sandu in a weaker position going into the second round since she has championed EU integration.

Persons: Maia Sandu, Sandu, Alexandr Stoianoglo, Stoianoglo, Daniel Mihailescu, ”, “, Ilan Shor, Sandu’s, Shor, Valeriu Pasha, — Organizations: EU, Getty, Kremlin, Sandu, Moldovan, ”, Facebook Locations: Soviet, Russia, United States, China, Moldovan, Chisinau, AFP, Ukraine, Transdniestria, Moldova, Moscow, Sunday’s

☆ Moldova’s EU referendum hangs in balance as president Sandu condemns ‘assault’ on democracy
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Moldova’s crucial referendum on joining the European Union is too close to call, partial results showed Monday, as President Maia Sandu condemned an “unprecedented assault” on the country’s democracy. With just over 1.4% of ballots still to be counted, 50.2% had voted “yes” in the referendum, according to the country’s Central Election Commission. The tight margin would come as a blow to Sandu, who had been hoping for a clear endorsement of the pro-EU path she has charted during her first presidential term. Vadim Ghirda/APCNN reported last week on the efforts of a Kremlin-linked network, spearheaded by the exiled Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, to buy votes in Moldova, aiming to sway the results of the EU referendum. If other pro-Russian parties and voters throw their support behind Stoianoglo, the November 3 run-off could be extremely tight.

Persons: CNN —, Maia Sandu, Sandu, ” Sandu, Vadim Ghirda, Ilan Shor, Shor, Alexandr Stoianoglo – Organizations: CNN, European, Commission, EU, Moldovan, AP CNN, Russian Party of Socialists Locations: European Union, Soviet, Hrusevo, Moldova

☆ Russia and Europe tussle for Moldova, as just over 50% vote 'yes' on future EU membership
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Moldovan citizens living in Moscow are seen queuing to vote at a polling station during the 2024 Moldovan elections in Moscow, Russia on October 20, 2024. Moldovans headed to the polls on Sunday for a presidential election and a referendum on EU membership with the votes being held under the shadow of the ongoing struggle between the West and Russia over Moldova. Moldova's political destiny was hanging in the balance on Monday after key votes on whether to embrace a future with Europe, or to remain within Russia's orbit. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, it has seesawed between pro-Russia and pro-Europe governments, such as President Sandu's current administration. Formal talks on joining the bloc already began in June, but the — non-legally binding — referendum of Sunday was seen as cementing Moldova's pro-EU trajectory.

Persons: Maia Sandu, Alexandr Stoianoglo, Sandu's Organizations: West, European Union, Moldova's, Commission, CNBC, Russia Locations: Moscow, Russia, Moldova, Europe, Soviet, Ukraine, Romania, Soviet Union

☆ Moldova faces a tug of war between Russia and the West in two crucial votes
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Voters in Moldova will cast their ballots Sunday in two crucial votes, which have been billed as the most consequential in the country’s post-Soviet history. Alongside a more sophisticated misinformation campaign, Shor has resorted to cruder methods to meddle with Moldovan politics. Home to a Romanian-speaking majority and large Russian-speaking minority, many Moldovans had long viewed Russia as a benign big brother. “It reflects the loss of the national allure of Russia in Moldovan society,” he said. “There’s limits (to what can be achieved).”But even if Sandu prevails in both the presidential vote and the EU referendum, he expects the Kremlin’s campaign to continue.

Persons: Ilan Shor, Shor, ”, Dumitru Doru, Maia Sandu –, –, She’s, ” Vadim Pistrinciuc, Maia Sandu, Ursula von der Leyen, Elena Covalenco, Sandu, Nicu Popescu, Moldova’s, ” Popescu, “ Moldova can’t, ‘, Sandu’s, Daniel Mihailescu, Alexandr Stoianoglo, Stoianoglo, Maksim Samorukov, ” Samorukov, “, Viorel Cernauteanu, ” Cernauteanu, Dmitry Peskov, Pistrinciuc, ” Pistrinciuc, Lenin, Peter Dench, Samorukov Organizations: CNN — Voters, eventual, Union, Kremlin, Authorities, Western, World Bank, Party, Action, Solidarity, Communist, Institute for Strategic Initiatives, CNN, Getty, European Council, Foreign Relations, Gazprom, “, CBS, AXA, Russian Party of Socialists, EU, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Reuters Locations: Moldova, Russian, Moldovan, Russia, Chisinau, Shutterstock Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Transnistria, Soviet Union, Harvard, Romanian, Odesa, Moldova’s, Europe, AFP, Western Europe, Gazprom, “ Moldova, Bardar, ”, Moscow, Tiraspol

But Iran’s 2020 election interference efforts stand apart from what have become well-recognized interference patterns, according to an indictment from the Justice Department, Treasury Department sanctions, researchers and media reporting, and comments from current and former U.S. officials. That gave them access to Election Night Reporting (ENR) systems, which provide live updates on unofficial results on Election Day. Fake Proud Boys campaignIn the most bizarre and elaborate foreign influence campaign of 2020, Iranian hackers allegedly staged an entirely fictional cyber-enabled fraud and harassment campaign, according to a detailed 2021 Justice Department indictment. The Iranian hackers did successfully steal some voter data from Alaska’s Online Voter Registration System, but otherwise none of it was true. The hackers tried to post it to various platforms online but it gained little traction.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Hillary Clinton’s, Trump, ”, Brandon Wales, William J, Hartman, It’s, Emennet Pasargad, “, Christopher Wray, National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, Alireza Miryousefi, Department’s, Joe Biden, Gretchen Whitmer, Chris Krebs, CISA, Miryousefi Organizations: Democratic, Justice Department, Treasury Department, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Security Agency, NBC News, Cyber Command, Army, RSA, tinker, U.S, Trump militia, Alaska’s, Stanford University, Google, YouTube, Republican, Trump, National Intelligence, Iran, United Nations, Lee Enterprises, U.S . Capitol, Dominion Voting Systems, FBI Locations: United States, Iran, China, Russia, U.S, Iranian, Tehran, San Francisco, Florida, Moldova, Alaska, American, Omaha, crosshairs, Michigan

☆ Biden admin says RT and Russian state media are waging covert information warfare around the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

“RT wants its new covert intelligence capabilities, like its longstanding propaganda and disinformation efforts, to remain hidden,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters. On Friday, State Department officials sought to highlight Russia’s information operations around the world. Through proxy media outlets that purport to be independent, Russia is disseminating information to back its invasion of Ukraine, officials said. The Biden administration is imposing sanctions on a state-funded broadcaster that oversees the RT outlet, TV-Novosti, another state media company, Rossiya Segodnya, and its director Dmitry Kiselyov, officials said. Russian state-funded media was also targeted for sanctions for allegedly funneling money into Moldova under the guise of humanitarian aid “to buy votes to influence the upcoming Moldovan elections,” officials said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, ”, James Rubin, Rubin, RT, Biden, Rossiya Segodnya, Dmitry Kiselyov, “ Organizations: RT, Ukraine, State Department, State, Global, Department, Novosti Locations: South America, Europe, Africa, U.S, Ukraine, America, Russian, China, Russia, Germany, Berlin, France, Paris, Argentina, Moldova, Washington

PARIS — The United States and China each won 40 gold medals, in the first Summer Games draw in Olympics history, with America pulling into a tie Sunday with victory in the last event, women’s basketball. But then San Diego native and decorated cyclist Jennifer Valente bailed out the United States by defending her gold in the women’s omnium. Gold medalist Noah Lyles of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men's 100m medal ceremony at the Olympics in Paris, on Aug. 5, 2024. The United States still came out with the most overall medals, taking home 126 from Paris 2024. The United States hasn’t failed at winning the most medals since 1992 when the “Unified Team,” athletes from the former Soviet Union republics, won 112 medals, 45 gold.

Persons: China’s Li Wenwen, could’ve, Yuka Kagami, Jennifer Valente, Noah Lyles, Cameron Spencer, United States hasn’t, Simone Biles, Jamie Squire, France's Anastasiia, Katie Ledecky, Germany's Isabel Gose, Jonathan Nackstrand, Frenchman Leon Marchand, Summer McIntosh, Lee Kiefer of, Lauren Scruggs, Eleanor Harvey, Patrick Smith, David K, Li, Sean Nevin Organizations: PARIS, America, France, Chicago, Kennedy Blades, Team United, States didn't, United, “ Unified, Soviet, Olympic Games, Bercy Arena, Getty, Paris La Defense, Lee Kiefer of Team United States, Team United States, Team Canada, Grand Palais Locations: United States, China, Japan, Italy, San Diego, Paris, U.S, States, Beijing, Norway, Germany, Soviet Union, Barcelona, Tokyo, Rio, London, Nanterre, AFP, Grand, France, Israel, Ecuador, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Soviet Republic

☆ Protesters denounce Bulgaria's ban on LGBTQ ‘propaganda’ in schools
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Protesters rallied outside Bulgaria’s parliament on Thursday to denounce a controversial legal amendment adopted the day before that bans talk of LGBTQ and so-called nontraditional sexual choices in schools. The amendment bans the “promotion, popularization and support of ideas and opinions related to non-traditional sexual orientation or sexual identification other than biological” in schools. Protesters rally outside Bulgaria's parliament on Thursday in Sofia, Bulgaria. Bulgaria has also declined to ratify the Istanbul Convention on preventing violence against women, because of widespread belief it means to promote LGBTQ rights. European rights groups, like the Belgium-based Forbidden Colors, condemned the legislation as an assault on the fundamental rights of LGBTQ individuals, particularly children.

Persons: Michaela Vatcheva Organizations: European Union, Protesters, Bloomberg, Getty, Union Locations: Bulgaria’s, Bulgaria, Russia, Russian, Bulgaria's, Sofia, Istanbul, Belgium, Hungary, Bosnia, Moldova, Turkey

☆ Trying to Save a Concrete ‘Monument to Corruption’
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( Andrew Higgins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The 17-story hotel, a giant and graceless gem of socialist modernist architecture cherished by aficionados of concrete, took four years to build in the 1970s and became a proud symbol of the Soviet Union’s embrace of modernity. Wealthy tycoons have wrangled over it, shuffling ownership between opaque offshore companies, while competing groups of graffiti artists have turned its facade into a huge tableau displaying their rival loyalties. One group daubed it with the colors of the Ukrainian flag, then a group opposed to Ukraine painted a Russian military symbol. In June, a new group painted the exterior with the colors of Moldova’s flag. Prosecutors and preservationists have struggled to understand how what was once a prize piece of real estate has fallen on such hard times.

Organizations: Prosecutors Locations: Soviet, Moldova, Chisinau, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Russian

☆ 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

☆ Hungary’s Prime Minister Orban — a key Putin ally — makes first wartime visit to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) in the Europa building prior the start of the meeting on June 27, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday for his first wartime visit to the battle-torn country. Orban, meanwhile, communicated Hungary's intentions to improve ties with Ukraine and sign a broad bilateral cooperation agreement, while urging Zelenskyy to consider a quick cease-fire to accelerate peace talks, Reuters reported. Orban absented from last month's Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland, where Hungary was instead represented by Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. The Hungarian prime minister has also been one of the few Western leaders to meet the increasingly isolated Kremlin leader Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Orban, Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Orban's, " Orban, Orban absented, Peter Szijjarto, Putin, Donald Trump, Jens Stoltenberg Organizations: European Union, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Reuters, nonmember Kyiv, Ukraine Peace Summit, Foreign, Associated Press, NATO Locations: Europa, Brussels, Belgium, Hungarian, Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova, Switzerland

☆ Russia can’t fight NATO on the battlefield – so it’s waging a hybrid war instead
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

And while they might look minor in isolation, taken together these incidents amount to what security experts say is Russia’s hybrid war on the West. Thornton said Russia was resorting to a campaign of sabotage as an alternative to a full-on war with NATO, which would be disastrous for Russia. Article 5 is the cornerstone principle that an attack on one member of NATO is an attack on all members. Danylyuk said the Russian security apparatus doesn’t shy away from using criminals to do its dirty work, tapping into its links with international organized crime. Russia can only be strong if the West and NATO are weak.

Persons: –, Petr Fiala, Jens Stoltenberg, Rod Thornton, there’s, ” Thornton, Vladimir Putin, Thornton, “, ”, It’s, ” Nicole Wolkov, Andrei Averyanov, Averyanov, Sergei, Yulia Skripal, d’etat, Oleksandr Danylyuk, …, Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Danylyuk, Olga Lautman, Fiala, Sergei Skripal, Yulia, Frank Augstein, ” Lautman, Lautman, Alexander Litvinenko, Andrei Lugovoi, Theresa May, Nikolai Glushkov, Salisbury, Putin, ” “, let’s, ’ ”, that’s, Litvinenko, Skripal Organizations: CNN, Occupation, . Police, European Union, NATO, King’s College London, ”, Royal United Services Institute, Czech Police, GRU, London –, German Federal Public, Ukraine, Russian, Russia NATO, Center for, European, of Human, Duma, Metropolitan Police, Command, Soviet, West Locations: Prague, Czech, Moscow, Europe, Riga, London, Warsaw, Germany, Russia, Belarus, Russian, Spain, Lithuania, Canada, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia –, United States, al Qaeda, France, EU, Salisbury, England, Czech Republic, Vrbetice, Montenegro, Moldova, Macedonia, Ukrainian, Poland, Salisbury , England, Finland, Estonia, Lautman, Soviet Union

☆ Hungary’s populist Orbán to take over EU presidency as many issues hang in the balance
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, arrives on day one of the European Union (EU) leaders summit at the EU Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, May 30, 2022. Hungary's motto for its presidency — Make Europe Great Again — raised eyebrows for its resemblance to the famous tagline of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The EU presidency rotates among its member countries, and while the post holds little real power, it does allow countries to put their priorities high on Europe's agenda. As Hungary's takeover approached, leaders in Brussels rushed to push through important policy decisions while Belgium was still at the helm. "(A Hungarian) delay, according to most European leaders, is already calculated and being taken into consideration as if it's something which is most likely going to happen."

Persons: Viktor Orban, Hungary's, Viktor Orbán, Donald Trump, Dorka Takácsy, —, Takácsy, Orbán Organizations: European Union, EU, —, Centre, Integration, Budapest Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia, China, Moldova

Search resuls for: "Moldova"

25 mentions found