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☆ Turbulence in China’s top ranks raises questions about Xi Jinping’s rule
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Defense Minister Li Shangfu has not been seen in public for three weeks, sparking speculation he is under investigation. Both Li and Qin serve among China’s five state councillors, a senior position in the cabinet that outranks a regular minister. Li also sits on the Central Military Commission, a powerful body headed by Xi that commands the armed forces. China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu gives a speech during the Moscow Conference on International Security on August 15. Last week, as speculation mounted over the whereabouts of the defense minister, Xi called for unity and stability within the military during an inspection in China’s northeast.

Persons: China’s, Li Shangfu, Weeks, Qin Gang, Xi, Li, Qin, outranks, “ What’s, ”, Drew Thompson, Xi Jinping, James Char, Lloyd Austin, Alexander Nemenov, Xi’s, Deng Yuwen, ” Rahm Emanuel, Agatha Christie’s, “, –, Craig Singleton, General Zhang Youxia, Zhang, He’s, Thompson, they’re, ” Thompson, Mao Zedong, Char, …, ” Char, Jinping Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Defense, Foreign, Central Military Commission, People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, Wall Street Journal, Communist Party, National University of Singapore, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Belarus ’, US, Singapore’s Navy, China's, Conference, International Security, Getty, Twitter, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Washington DC, Development Department, Rocket Force, Equipment Development Department Locations: China, Hong Kong, United States, Washington, Beijing, Singapore, Moscow, Belarus, Minsk, AFP, Japan, Soviet, Sichuan, “

The entire world has a vested interest in helping defeat the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine told the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, casting his appeal for more allies and aid as a matter of security — even survival — for many other nations. Delivering one of the most anticipated speeches of the annual gathering of world leaders, Mr. Zelensky painted Russia as a habitual aggressor, citing Moscow’s military interventions in Moldova, Georgia and Syria, its increased control over Belarus and its threats against the Baltic States. “The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources, into a weapon against you, against the international rules-based order,” he said. Almost 19 months into a war with no end in sight, U.N. leaders had signaled that they wanted this year’s General Assembly, which began on Tuesday, to center on global warming and the sustainable development of poorer countries. They were hoping for less of a focus on Ukraine than last year, when Mr. Zelensky addressed the gathering by video.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, “, ” Organizations: General, Assembly Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Georgia, Syria, Belarus, Baltic States

☆ WTA roundup: Russian teen wins opener at Guangzhou
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shnaider won six straight games in the first set and came back from a 2-0 hole in the second set to win in 75 minutes. Denmark's Clara Tauson eliminated Fruhvirtova 6-2, 7-6 (6). In other second-round matches, Martina Trevisan upset 15th-seeded Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-2 in an all-Italian matchup, and seventh-seeded Veronika Kudermetova of Russia downed Canada's Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-4. Colombia's Emiliana Arango knocked out 11th-seeded Russian Anastasia Potapova 6-4, 6-3, and Italy's Camila Giorgi defeated Egypt's Mayar Sherif, the No. 14 seed, 7-5, 6-3.

Persons: Maria Sakkari, Russia's Diana Shnaider, Carl Recine, Diana Shnaider, Claire Liu, Shnaider, Liu's, Linda Fruhvirtova, Denmark's Clara Tauson, Magda Linette, Jodie Burrage, Minnen, Harriet Dart of, Akron Hailey, Karolina Pliskova, Baptiste, Pliskova, Martina Trevisan, Jasmine Paolini, Veronika Kudermetova, Canada's Eugenie Bouchard, Victoria, Caroline Dolehide, Emma Navarro, Sofia Kenin, Sachia Vickery, Colombia's Emiliana Arango, Anastasia Potapova, Italy's Camila Giorgi, Egypt's Mayar Sherif Organizations: Melbourne, Guangzhou, Harriet Dart of Great Britain, Guadalajara, Akron, D.C, WTA, Victoria Azarenka, Thomson Locations: Melbourne, Australia, China, Czech Republic, Poland, Britain, Spain, Belgium, Harriet Dart of Great, Akron Hailey Baptiste, Washington, Guadalajara, Mexico, Russia, Belarus, United States

☆ Video of a cheap drone destroying an exposed T-72 hints Russian crews are still working out how to hide their tanks from a growing threat, former US general says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A video surfaced online showing a seemingly exposed Russian T-72 tank struck by an FPV drone. One former US Army general told Insider it may speak to larger issues within the Russian military. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe lack of such efforts and the certainly fatal results may reflect deeper, underlying issues for the Russian military. Russian and Ukrainian FPV drones are pummeling tanks while other drones drop bombs on soldiers. "This has never been a strong suit in the Russian Army, but they've lost so many of their experienced soldiers by now that the problem is even worse," he added.

Persons: James Stavridis, Mark Hertling, Ben Hodges, Hodges, could've, DIMITAR DILKOFF, they've, That's Organizations: US Army, Service, Ukraine, Moscow, US Navy, NATO, US, Getty, Russian Army Locations: Wall, Silicon, Russian, Ukraine, Europe, US Army Europe, Southern Russia, Caucasus, China, Iran, Pakistan, Myanmar, Soviet Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, AFP, Ukrainian, Russia

☆ WTA roundup: Ashlyn Krueger wins 1st title at Japan Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] FILE PHOTO:Aug 6, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Camila Giorgi (ITA) hits a forehand against Ashlyn Krueger (USA) (not pictured) in second round qualifying play at IGA Stadium. 123 in the world, Krueger, 19, entered the week without a main-draw win on hard court this year and had never advanced past a quarterfinal of a WTA event. Krueger had the edge in aces, 7-3, and never had to save a break point in the 96-minute match. She broke Zhu on her first service game of the match, and Zhu was 1-for-2 in saving break points. "I think I was very aggressive today, playing a lot of really aggressive tennis and using my serve," said Krueger, who recorded 28 winners to 13 for her opponent.

Persons: Camila Giorgi, Ashlyn Krueger, Eric Bolte, Ashlyn Krueger didn't, Zhu Lin, Krueger, China's Zhu, Zhu, Grace Min, Elise Mertens, Yanina, Mertens, Jasmine Paolini, Louisa Chirico, Karolina Pliskova, Ena Shibahara, Sloane Stephens, Ann Li, Canada's Leylah Fernandez breezed, Asia Muhammad, Taylor Townsend, Hailey Baptiste, Eugenie Bouchard of Canada, Dayana, Martina Trevisan, Cristina Bucsa Organizations: IGA, Japan, WTA, Dallas, United, Thomson Locations: Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Osaka, Guadalajara, Mexico, Ukraine, United States, Italy, Czech, Japan, U.S, Asia, Alycia, Spain, Belarus

☆ Is one of Russia’s oldest allies slipping from the Kremlin’s orbit?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“Armenia’s security architecture 99.999% was linked to Russia,” he told Italian newspaper La Repubblica earlier this month. Analysts said the effectiveness of Russia's peacekeeping presence, which began after the war in 2020, has diminished over time. “Russia failed to deliver on its promises to secure the Lachin corridor… Russia failed to deliver weapons that Armenia purchased from Russia, Russia failed to curtail Azerbaijan’s expansionist and aggressive behavior against Armenia,” said Ter-Matevosyan. But in trying to shore up its security vis-a-vis Azerbaijan, Armenia has inadvertently delivered a stinging snub to Russia. “We have to remember that Russia has a huge destructive potential in the region,” said Ter-Matevosyan, referring to Russia’s sizable military base north of Yerevan.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Nikol Pashinyan, ”, Pashinyan, Armenia’s, Tofik Babayev, Azerbaijain, Vahram, Matevosyan, Karen Minasyan, Ter, Marie Dumoulin, Azerbaijan’s, ” Dumoulin, “, Putin, Ilham Aliyev –, He’s, Aliyev, Dumoulin, Dmitry Peskov, ’ ”, Anna Ohanyan, Ohanyan, –, Will Organizations: CNN, La Repubblica, Russian Federation, Getty, American University of Armenia, Collective Security, Organization, European Council, Foreign Relations, ICC, Politico, NATO, Stonehill College, Kremlin Locations: Armenia, Soviet, Ukraine, Rome, Russia, Azerbaijan, Italian, Russian, Nagorno, Karabakh, AFP, Turkey, Yerevan, “ Armenia, Moscow, “ Russia, Baku, Pashinyan, Massachusetts, “, Belarus, Repubblica, Western

☆ A sneaky move at a Kremlin meeting may show why Putin took his time in eliminating Prigozhin
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

If so, the process of removing Prigozhin may have begun at a Kremlin meeting days after his uprising. On June 29, five days after the rebellion was called off, Putin gathered Prigozhin and his commanders in the Kremlin, according to a report in the Russian outlet Kommersant. "Reports of the meeting — and the lack of notable cases of dissension following Prigozhin's death — suggest that the meeting likely achieved its goals," Orr said. Chekalov, a senior deputy to Prigozhin, oversaw logistics, coordinating numerous Wagner activities and operations in Libya and Syria. ALEXEY DANICHEV/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesUnder Prigozhin, Wagner amassed a business empire using lucrative concessions from governments and backers in the countries where it operated.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Wagner, Prigozhin, Alexei Troshev, nodded affirmatively, Matthew Orr, RANE, Orr, Dmitry Utkin, Valery Chekalov, Anton Mardasov, Mardasov, ALEXEY DANICHEV, Prigozhin's, Pavel Organizations: Service, Wagner Group, Kommersant, Reuters, French Army, Associated Press, Russia's Ministry of Defense, PMC Convoy, PMC Redut, Russian, Ministry of Defense, Getty, Belarusian Defence Ministry, Wagner PMC, SVR Locations: Wall, Silicon, Moscow, Russian, Tver, Eurasia, Prigozhin, Libya, Syria, Mali, Africa, East, Russia, Belarus, St . Petersburg, Saharan Africa, Ukraine, Osipovichi

But part of Xi's drive to improve his fighting force has been to stamp out corruption that has long plagued China's military and other state institutions. A leader China's space and cyber warfare development and then head of military procurement, Li, 65, was elevated to defence minister in March. He also has a more public role than others on the Central Military Commission, China's top defence body, commanded by Xi. Li's term at the Central Military Commission highlighted his ties to Xi, who has strengthened his grip across the military. A bigger question is what priority Beijing will continue to place on China's military diplomacy amid ongoing regional tensions.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Xi, Nancy Pelosi, Lloyd Austin, James Char, Russian Su, Zhang Youxia, Zhang, Laurie Chen, Greg Torode, John Geddie, William Mallard Organizations: Reuters, Central Military Commission, West, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Strategic Support Force, Equipment Development Department of, Communist Party Congress, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, United States, Taiwan, Beijing, Russia, Washington, U.S, Singapore, China, Belarus, Ukraine, Russian, Hong Kong

Newly installed Foreign Minister Qin Gang vanished with scant explanation in July, the same month as an abrupt shake-up of the military's elite Rocket Force, which oversees China's nuclear arsenal. China's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday. PROXIMITY ISN'T PATRONAGERegarding Defence Minister Li's disappearance and investigation, a ministry spokeswoman told reporters on Friday she was not aware of the situation. With corruption long permeating China's military and state institutions, some analysts and diplomats believe Xi's anti-graft crackdowns mark political purges across the Communist Party. If Li's fate "reflects Xi's increasingly inward focus, it is not good for those of us who want greater openness and lines of communications with China's military," said one Asian diplomat.

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Xi Jinping's, Li Shangfu, Qin Gang, Drew Thompson, Thompson, Li's, Li, Helena Legarda, Alexander Neill, Zhang Youxia, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Ja Ian Chong, Chong, Greg Torode, Martin Quin Pollard, William Mallard Organizations: Rights, Reuters, Foreign, Rocket Force, Pentagon, National University of Singapore, State Council and Defence Ministry, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Communist Party, Mercator Institute for China Studies, Hawaii's, Military Commission, Washington, U.S . Defence, Pacific ., East, South China Seas, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, India, China, Russia, Belarus, Beijing, Jakarta, Berlin, Singapore, Washington, Asia, Pacific, Taiwan, South, East China, South China, Hong Kong

☆ With outlaws for allies, is Russia becoming another 'rogue state'?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Vladimir Smirnov | Afp | Getty ImagesUnder President Vladimir Putin, Russia has occupied an often contradictory and increasingly unsettling position on the global stage in recent years. Some close followers of Russia believe Moscow, operating outside international law, is increasingly acting like a "rogue state" itself, particularly in its desire to challenge and subvert the West's dominance in global affairs. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia November 20, 2017. "Russia is increasingly a rogue state: Its core relations are with countries outside a rules-based global order: Belarus, Iran, Syria, and North Korea," Ian Bremmer, the president and founder of Eurasia Group, told CNBC Monday. Friends, with benefitsRussian political analyst Anton Barbashin rejected the label of "rogue state" for Russia, however, saying Moscow continues to hold power and influence in a more global geopolitical sphere.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Smirnov, —, Bashar al, Assad, Mikhail Klimentyev, South Korea —, Ian Bremmer, Bremmer, Kim, Kim Jong, Putin, Edward Howell, Anton Barbashin, Barbashin, Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Mikhail Svetlov Organizations: North, Vostochny, Afp, Getty, . Security, Sputnik, Kremlin, Eurasia Group, CNBC, NATO, Ukraine, Russian, Oxford University, UN Security Council, UN, Democratic People's, UNSC, Indian Locations: Amur, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Belarus, Syria, Ukraine, Moscow, China, India, Black, Sochi, U.S, South Korea, United States, Pyongyang, Russian, Tsiolkovsky, Korea, Beijing, DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North, Turkey, OSAKA, JAPAN, Osaka, Japan

☆ The Public Face of China's Military Under Corruption Probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Persons: Greg Torode, Laurie Chen BEIJING, Li Shangfu, Li, Xi, Nancy Pelosi, Lloyd Austin, James Char, Russian Su, Zhang Youxia, Zhang, Laurie Chen, John Geddie, William Mallard Organizations: Reuters, Central Military Commission, West, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Strategic Support Force, Equipment Development Department of, Communist Party Congress Locations: United States, Taiwan, Beijing, Russia, Washington, U.S, Singapore, China, Belarus, Ukraine, Russian, Hong Kong

☆ Li Shangfu: Speculation grows over whereabouts of China's defense minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday skirted questions on the whereabouts of the country’s defense minister, amid mounting speculation the recently promoted general has been placed under investigation. Qin, who was only foreign minister for seven months, has retained the position of state councillor – a senior role in China’s cabinet which Li also holds. On Chinese government and military websites, Li is still listed as the defense minister, state councillor and a member of the party’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC). “The foreign minister and the defense minister are both externally facing interlocutors with the international community. Two weeks away from the public view is not unprecedented for China’s defense minister, who typically has less frequent public engagements than the foreign minister.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Li Shangfu, China’s, Li, Mao Ning, “ I’m, Qin Gang, Qin, –, Rahm Emanuel, Li hadn’t, Emanuel, Xi’s, Agatha Christie’s, Li Shangfu hasn’t, ”, Xi Jinping, ” Drew Thompson, Lee, Sergey Shoigu, Alexander Lukashenko Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong CNN — China’s, Communist Party, Financial Times, Street, Foreign Ministry, Central Military Commission, People’s Liberation Army, Force, CNN, Foreign, Rocket Force, Defense, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public, National University of Singapore, Development Department, Equipment Development Department, Security Forum, ”, Reuters, ” Reuters, Border Defense Friendship Exchange Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, China, United States, Africa, Russia, Belarus, Moscow, Minsk, Hanoi

☆ Chinese defence minister under investigation for corrupt procurement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The investigation into Li relates to procurement of military equipment, according to a regional security official and three people in direct contact with the Chinese military. Eight senior officials from the Chinese military's procurement unit, which Li led from 2017 to 2022, are also under investigation, according to two of the people in direct contact with the military. Reuters' detailed examination of the allegations against Li and the timing of the probe is based on interviews with sources who interact regularly with senior Chinese political and defence leaders, and regional officials with close knowledge of Chinese politics. The Financial Times reported on Friday, citing U.S. officials, that the U.S. government believes Li has been placed under investigation. Chinese officials initially said Qin's absence was also due to health reasons.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, U.S . State Department didn't, Japan Rahm Emanuel, Qin Gang, Qin, Xi Jinping, Lloyd Austin, Katerina Ang, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Reuters, Foreign Ministry, State Council, Defence Ministry, Financial Times, U.S, U.S . State Department, Beijing, Qin, Liberation, Rocket Force, Support Force, U.S . Defence, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: Beijing, Japan, U.S, Tokyo, Russia, Belarus, Vietnam, Hanoi, China, United States, Singapore

WARSAW, Poland (AP) —Poland's President Andrzej Duda said Thursday he was awaiting the results of an investigation into allegations that Polish consulates sold temporary work visas to migrants for thousands of dollars, just weeks before the strongly anti-migration ruling party seeks re-election for a third term. Media reports allege Poland’s consular sections issued some 250,000 visas to migrants from Asia and Africa since 2021 in return for bribes. Prosecutors and the state Anti-Corruption Office said Thursday that seven people — none of them state officials — had been detained on suspicion of corruption in the process of issuing a few hundred temporary work visas. According to Onet.pl, a news website, Wawrzyk personally insisted that temporary work visas be issued to groups of people from India, who posed as crews working for the Indian movie industry, popularly known as Bollywood. The allegations could seriously hit the conservative ruling party ahead of next month's parliamentary elections.

Persons: —, Andrzej Duda, Duda, “, ”, Piotr Wawrzyk, Donald Tusk, Poland's, Wawrzyk, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Mateusz Morawiecki, Onet.pl Organizations: Media, Prosecutors, Law, Justice Locations: WARSAW, Poland, Asia, Africa, India, Belarus, East, Ukraine

TORONTO (AP) — Three generations of a Ukrainian family sit in a van in the documentary “In the Rearview.” They stare straightforward, staggered by all they’ve left behind. “I come from an aristocratic family,” one woman says in the film. The biggest battleground isn’t just a war zone but the home. In recent years, Canada has reckoned with its past treatment of Indigenous people, including heinous sterilization programs and forced-schooling systems. “Coming to New Zealand, being Māori, we don’t see enough of ourselves on screen,” Waititi said.

Persons: ”, “, Maciek Hamela’s van, Um Tae, Lee Byung, Ly’s, ” Ly, Oscar, Les, Alexis Manenti, Cameron Bailey, Waititi, ” Waititi, ” Hollywood’s, ” Andrew Haigh’s “, —, Cord, Jeffrey Wright, Hayao, Miyazaki, Alexander Payne’s “, Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa —, Agnieszka Holland’s “, Raoul Peck’s “, James Baldwin, –, Melvin, Peck, William Tecumseh Sherman, Garrison Frazier, Jonathan Glazer, Rudolf Höss, Christian Friedel, Hedwig, Sandra Hüller, Glazer, Nikolaj Arcel’s “, Mads Mikkelsen, Jonathan Demme’s, David Byrne, Jake Coyle Organizations: TORONTO, Toronto, America Samoa soccer team, “, Twitter Locations: Ukraine, Seoul, South Korea, Paris, Batiment, France, Canada, America, New Zealand, ” Toronto, Venice, New England, Belarus, Poland, Haitian, North Carolina, Georgia, Auschwitz, Denmark, Jutland Heath

☆ China's defence minister, not seen in weeks, skipped Vietnam meet
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China's State Council Information Office, as well as its defence and foreign ministries did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the Vietnam event. Asked about Emanuel's post this week, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told reporters she was "not aware of the situation." China's defence minister is mainly responsible for defence diplomacy and does not command combat forces. Chinese officials have repeatedly said they want those sanctions dropped to facilitate better discussions between the two sides' militaries. He then headed the military's procurement unit from 2017 until he became defence minister.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Beijing couldn't, Qin Gang, Xi Jinping, Qin, Washington, Li's, Joe Biden, Japan Rahm Emanuel, Li Shangfu hasn't, Alfred Wu, Lee, Xi, Lloyd Austin, Yew Lun Tian, Antoni Slodkowski, John Geddie, Katerina Ang Organizations: Reuters, China's, Information, Qin, Liberation, Rocket Force, Communist Party, U.S, . U.S, Foreign, Defense, Foreign Ministry, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public Policy, U.S . Defence, Support Force, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, HANOI, Vietnam, China, Beijing, Hanoi, Japan, Russia, Belarus, Singapore, U.S

Finland is a European Union member that supports sanctions on Russia and the most recent to join NATO. Both Turkey and the UAE have condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but have not joined Western sanctions and sought to maintain ties with Russia. The latest sanctions package targets Russian companies that repair, develop and manufacture weapons, including the Kalibr cruise missile. Turkey, meanwhile, has tried to balance its close ties with both Russia and Ukraine, positioning itself as a mediator. Including the latest sanctions, the U.S. has targeted almost 3,000 businesses and people since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to State.

Persons: Vladimir Putin’s, ” James O’Brien, Putin, O’Brien, “, ” O’Brien, ”, Richard Connolly, Alexander, Lukashenko, ” Connolly, Denis Manturov, Connolly, Tom Keatinge, Andrei Bokarev, Sergei Shoigu, Iskander Makhmudov, Alexei Krivoruchko, Wagner, Otar, Partskhaladze, Antony Blinken, Suzan Fraser, Jon Gambrell, Antony Blinken’s Organizations: United Arab, State, Treasury, NATO, State Department’s Office, Associated Press, State Department, European Union, The State Department, Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Oxford, Western, Russian Industry, Trade, Centre for Financial, Security, Royal United Services Institute, “, U.S, Russian Defense, Russian, Federal Security Service Locations: States, Russia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Ukraine, U.S, UAE, Russia’s, Moscow, Finland, European, Belarus, Russian, ”, London, North Korea, Georgian, State, Ankara, Dubai

☆ Satellite images appear to show Wagner camp in Belarus being dismantled
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A satellite image shows a Tsel military base, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Mogilev Region, Belarus, July 25, 2023, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on September 14, 2023. PLANET LABS PBC/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - Satellite images of a military base southeast of the Belarus capital Minsk appear to show dismantling of tents in recent weeks, which may indicate the winding down of the base for Wagner, the Russian mercenary company behind an abortive mutiny. Images of the Tsel military base in Mogilev region, taken on July 25, Aug. 25 and Sept. 9 and provided by Earth imaging company Planet Labs, appear to show the gradual dismantling of tents in the camp. In June, the Wagner group launched a brief mutiny against the army top brass in Russia, condemned as treason by President Vladimir Putin. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko invited Wagner to set up operations in his country as part of a deal that ended the mutiny.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, Maxim Rodionov, Ron Popeski, Alistair Bell Organizations: Reuters, PBC, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, Labs, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Mogilev Region, Belarus, Minsk, Russian, Mogilev, Russia

☆ A Theater Troupe That’s Also a Support Network for Exiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Alex Marshall | More About Alex Marshall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When the two founders of the renowned Belarus Free Theater claimed political asylum in Britain in 2011, they found themselves homeless, with few possessions and facing a bureaucratic labyrinth before they could work. Twelve years later, the company’s founders, Natalia Kaliada and Nicolai Khalezin, are using that experience to help other artists fleeing political repression. The Belarus Free Theater’s political productions have often criticized Lukashenko’s authoritarian leadership and its troupe was long at risk of arrest. But as repression increased, the company decided it was no longer feasible for its other members to remain in Minsk. Since then, Kaliada said, she and Khalezin had been helping the actors to find housing, therapy and visas.

Persons: Natalia Kaliada, Nicolai Khalezin, Ukraine —, Aleksandr G, Lukashenko, Vladimir V, Putin, Kaliada, Khalezin Organizations: Belarus Free Theater, Skype, Belarus —, Belarus Free Locations: Belarus, Britain, British, Minsk, Belarus’s, East, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Swiatek pulls out of Guadalajara
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Swiatek had said she needed a reset after her 75-week run as world number one came to an end. "Unfortunately I need to withdraw from the tournament in Guadalajara due to a change of schedule," Swiatek posted on social media platform X. French Open champion Swiatek, who was set to make her debut in the Sept. 17-23 Guadalajara tournament, said she would return to action in Tokyo at the start of next month. U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff, defending Guadalajara champion Jessica Pegula, 2022 runner-up Maria Sakkari and Tunisia's Ons Jabeur have all entered the Mexico event. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Slovenia's Kaja Juvan, Brendan Mcdermid, Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Maria Sakkari, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Slovenia's Kaja Juvan REUTERS, U.S, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Guadalajara, Belarus, Tokyo, Mexico, Bengaluru

☆ North Korea’s Leader Arrives in Russia as Nations Seek Closer Military Ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Paul Sonne | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

When the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia four years ago in their only previous meeting, it was mostly for diplomatic show. In return, Russia could give North Korea some of what it needs — food, oil or hard currency — and turn a relationship long limited to modest trade and public displays of cooperation into something more substantive. Russia’s defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, visited North Korea in July on a trip that U.S. officials at the time said was aimed at setting up an armaments deal. North Korea has one of the world’s largest armies, despite having a population of only about 26 million people. Analysts believe that North Korea has a surplus of ammunition since it has not fought a war since 1953, when the Korean Armistice was signed.

Persons: Kim Jong, Vladimir V, Putin, ”, Fyodor Tertitskiy, Tertitskiy, Kim, Ali Khamenei, Iran’s, Aleksandr G, Lukashenko, Sergei K, Shoigu, Petr Akopov, “, ” Mr, Akopov Organizations: North Korean, Mr, Kookmin University, Russian, Pentagon, South Korea, Analysts, RIA Novosti, . Security Locations: Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, Seoul, Vladivostok, Iran, Moscow, Belarus, South, Korea, Pyongyang

☆ Ukraine War Live Updates: North Korea's Kim Jong-Un Heads to Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Paul Sonne | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

When the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia four years ago in their only previous meeting, it was mostly for diplomatic show. But this week he will meet Mr. Putin with the ability to supply something the Kremlin desperately needs: munitions that could help Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. Russia’s defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, visited North Korea in July on a trip that U.S. officials at the time said was aimed at setting up an armaments deal. North Korea has one of the world’s largest armies, despite having a population of only about 26 million people. Analysts believe that North Korea has a surplus of ammunition since it has not fought a war since 1953, when the Korean Armistice was signed.

☆ Opinion: Thanks to Coco Gauff, we can dream big
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Kirsi Goldynia | Opinion Roxanne Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Coco Gauff has been crowned America’s new tennis darling after her amazing US Open championship win against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. Like Serena, Gauff is unafraid to speak out on social issues or speak up after a bad call from the umpire. “[Venus and Serena] are the reason why I have this trophy today, to be honest,” Gauff told media after her US Open win. Growing up there weren’t too many black tennis players dominating the sport. Despite the many obstacles, Black tennis thrived back in the early 1900s.

Persons: Roxanne Jones, Jones, ”, CNN — Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Serena Williams, Serena, she’d, Coco Gauff, She’s, That’s, Gauff, Coco, Serena —, Venus —, ” Gauff, Williams, ’, you’ll, Lucy Diggs Slowe, Slowe, Arthur Ashe, Althea Gibson, Lori McNeil, Zina Garrison —, Gibson, Lucy Slowe, Lindsay Davenport, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Zina Garrison Organizations: ESPN The Magazine, ESPN, New York Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, CNN, US, “, United States Tennis Association, USTA, tennis, American Tennis Association, Black, Wimbledon, Twitter, Madison Locations: Belarus, Serena

☆ Putin says IOC is distorting Olympic ideal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the 8th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, September 12, 2023. Sputnik/Pavel Bednyakov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS Acquire Licensing RightsSept 12 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday of politicising sport, as it weighs a decision on Russian athletes' participation in next year's Games in Paris. The IOC has taken no final decision but said athletes should not be punished for the acts of their governments. French President Emmanuel Macron said last week that no Russian flag should fly at the Games. I think that today's leadership of international federations, the International Olympic Committee itself, they distort the original idea of Pierre de Coubertin - sport should be outside of politics," he said.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Pavel Bednyakov, Emmanuel Macron, Putin, Frenchman, , Pierre de Coubertin, Thomas Bach, Mark Trevelyan, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Eastern Economic, Sputnik, International Olympic, IOC, Games, International Olympic Committee, Paris Games, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Vladivostok, Russia, Paris, Ukraine, Soviet Union, Belarus

☆ Sabalenka loses US Open final but leaves New York on top of the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sabalenka will overtake Poland's Iga Swiatek when the new rankings are updated on Monday and the Belarusian admitted her new status will help ease the sting of her U.S. Open final loss to American teenager Coco Gauff. "Yeah, that's why probably, that's why I'm not super depressed right now," Sabalenka said when asked to reflect on becoming world number one for the first time. "I'm definitely going for a drink tonight if I'm allowed to say that," a smiling Sabalenka added. I got overemotional after the second set." Despite falling to Gauff in the final, Sabalenka can hold her head high after delivering a remarkable Grand Slam season that included an Australian Open title in January before semi-final appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Persons: Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Mike Segar, Poland's Iga, I'm, Gauff, Frank Pingue, Chizu Organizations: Tennis, U.S, REUTERS, Wimbledon, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Belarus, Belarusian, New York, Toronto

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