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☆ 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

☆ Coco Gauff’s US Open victory given presidential seal of approval
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“Congrats to U.S. Open Champion Coco Gauff,” President Joe Biden wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Mike Stobe/Getty Images Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is recognized for her runner-up finish against Coco Gauff. Sarah Stier/Getty Images Sabalenka and Gauff pose for a photo with former player Billie Jean King before the match. Sarah Stier/Getty Images Gauff is introduced ahead of the match. Sarah Stier/Getty Images A US flag is unfurled during the opening ceremony for the US Open women's singles final.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Venus Williams, Gauff, CNN’s Carolyn Manno, Serena Williams, “, ”, ” Gauff, “ Congrats, Joe Biden, Arthur Ashe, You’ve, ” Coco Gauff, Arthur, Mike Segar, Reuters Gauff, Mike Stobe, Sarah Stier, Shannon Stapleton, Frank Franklin II, Darren Carroll, AP Sabalenka, Danielle Parhizkaran, Al Bello, Charles Krupa, Clive Brunskill, Sabalenka, Billie Jean King, Timothy A, Clary, Michelle Obama, Laura Siegmund, Obama, Gauff’s, Bill Clinton, Venus, Serena, “ Let’s, Nicole Kidman, Amanda Seyfried, Cara Delevingne, Ariana DeBose, Diane Keaton, Mindy Kaling, Rachel Brosnahan, Jonathan Van Ness, Carlos Alcaraz, Zendaya Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Reuters, USTA, AP, USA, Network, Sabalenka, Gauff, Getty, WTA, Gotham Locations: American, U.S, America, Queens, Belarus, AFP

☆ 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

ROME (AP) — “Poor Things,” a film about Victorian-era female empowerment, won the Golden Lion on Saturday at a Venice Film Festival largely deprived of Hollywood glamour because of the writers and actors strikes. The film, starring Emma Stone, won the top prize at the 80th edition of the festival, which is often a predictor of Oscar glory. The film tells the story of two young boys’ odyssey from Dakar, Senegal, to the detention camps in Libya and finally across the Mediterranean to Europe. Peter Sarsgaard won best actor for “Memory,” in which he co-stars with Jessica Chastain in a film about high schoolers reuniting. Cailee Spaeny won best actress for “Priscilla,” Sofia Coppola's portrait of the private side of Priscilla and Elvis Presley.

Persons: Emma Stone, Yorgos Lanthimos, Stone, ” Lanthimos, Alasdair Gray’s, Bella Baxter, Matteo Garrone, Seydou Sarr, Agnieszka Holland’s “, Peter Sarsgaard, Jessica Chastain, Sarsgaard, Cailee Spaeny, “ Priscilla, ” Sofia, Priscilla, Elvis Presley, Damien Chazelle, Saleh Bakri, Jane Campion, Mia Hansen, Løve, Gabriele Mainetti, Martin McDonagh, Santiago Mitre, Laura Poitras, Shu Qi Organizations: ROME, Lion, Venice Film Locations: Venice, Europe, Dakar, Senegal, Libya, Polish, Belarus, Shu

☆ Teenager Coco Gauff wins U.S. Open women’s final, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in three sets
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( David K. Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

USA's Coco Gauff reactys as she plays Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka during the US Open tennis tournament women's singles final match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 9, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)Coco Gauff won the U.S. Open women's final, becoming the latest Black American woman to leave a history-making mark on the most sacred grounds of U.S. tennisGauff bested Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on Saturday 6-2 in the third set. Gibson won the U.S. National Championship women's singles titles in 1957 and 1958, a forerunner of the U.S. Open. Those six U.S. Open singles titles by Serena Williams are only matched by Chris Evert's half-dozen championships in the tournament's modern era, 1975-78 and 1980 and 1982. Correction: Coco Gauff won the U.S. Open in three sets.

Persons: USA's Coco Gauff reactys, Belarus's Aryna, USTA Billie Jean King, ANGELA WEISS, Coco Gauff, Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Gauff's, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Althea Gibson, Gibson, Williams, Serena, Chris Evert's, Read, She's, Arthur Ashe Organizations: USTA, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Getty, U.S, Arthur, National, U.S ., NBC Locations: New York, Belarus, Flushing Meadows , New York City, Gauff, Florida, U.S, Flushing Meadows, Queens

☆ Wild comedy 'Poor Things' wins top prize at Venice Festival
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/8] The 80th Venice Film Festival - Awards Ceremony - Venice, Italy, September 9, 2023. Director Yorgos Lanthimos poses with Golden Lion Award for Best Film for the movie 'Poor Things'. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Oscar favourites regularly emerge from VeniceActors strike loomed large over festivalTop actors' awards go to U.S. starsVENICE, Sept 9 (Reuters) - "Poor Things", a gothic, sex-charged comedy directed by Greece's Yorgos Lanthimos, won the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday. The runner-up Silver Lion award went to "Evil Does Not Exist", an enigmatic, rural drama directed by Japan's Ryusuke Hamaguchi -- the only Asian entry among the 23 films competing for the main prize. Collecting his award, Sarsgaard said AI had to be curbed, warning that the issue had implications that went far beyond Hollywood.

Persons: Yorgos, Guglielmo Mangiapane, Greece's Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Bella Baxter, Spaeny, Elvis Presley, Priscilla, Peter Sarsgaard, Japan's Ryusuke, Sarsgaard, Poland's Agnieszka Holland, Italy's Matteo Garrone, Seydou Sarr, Guillermo Calderon, Pablo Larrain, Conde, General Augusto Pinochet, Crispian Balmer, Roberto Mignucci, Clelia Organizations: REUTERS, Venice Actors, Golden Lion, Lion, ACTION, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italy, U.S, VENICE, British, Hollywood, Polish, Belarus, Senegal, Africa, Europe

☆ Factbox: U.S. Open women's singles champion Coco Gauff
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CAREER TO DATE* A former world number one junior, Gauff started her professional career on the ITF circuit in 2018. * Reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in 2020 and cracked the top 50 in the world for the first time. Gauff also reached the U.S. Open women's doubles final with McNally. * Lost to Iga Swiatek in the French Open final in 2022. * Gauff claimed the biggest title to date of her career at the Cincinnati Open in 2023.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Mike Segar, Laura Siegemund, Mirra, Elise Mertens, Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Ostapenko, Karolina Muchova, Serena, Venus Williams, Gauff, Simona Halep, Caty McNally, Barbora Krejcikova, McNally, Jessica Pegula, Sloane Stephens, Aadi Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Belarus, Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS, Belarusian Aryna, U.S, United States WTA, ITF, WTA, Wimbledon, Parma, Cincinnati, Washington D.C, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Belarusian, Germany, Russia, Belgium, Denmark, Latvia, Czech Republic, Linz, Washington, Bengaluru

☆ Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka Play for the U.S. Open Championship
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Jesus Jiménez | More About Jesus Jiménez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. Open women’s singles final is set: Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old American, will play Aryna Sabalenka, the No. Gauff has already played in a Grand Slam final in 2022, when she lost the French Open to Iga Swiatek. Sabalenka, 25, will also be playing in a U.S. Open final for the first time after reaching the semifinals of the tournament in 2021 and 2022. She won the Australian Open in January for her first Grand Slam title, and she reached the semifinals of the French Open and Wimbledon. Before the semifinals, Sabalenka had sailed through the tournament, winning her first five matches without dropping a set.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Serena Williams, Gauff, Sabalenka, Madison Keys Organizations: U.S, Wimbledon, Madison Locations: Belarus, U.S, New York

☆ As war grinds on, HSBC halts Russia payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Iain Withers | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HSBC Bank logo is seen in this illustration taken March 12, 2023. "We have therefore reached the decision to restrict commercial payments by our corporate entity customers to or from Russia and Belarus through HSBC," a HSBC spokesperson said. Business customers have been informed the bank no longer intends to process the payments, the spokesperson added, rolling out globally from this month. HSBC has announced an exit from Russia, but the planned sale of its unit to local lender Expobank has hit delays and is pending final regulatory approval. The United States has pushed for harsher action against banks with Russia links, while China in contrast has deepened economic ties with Russia.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Expobank, Iain Withers, John O'Donnell, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: HSBC Bank, REUTERS, HSBC, Belarus, Business, Nikkei, SWIFT, Raiffeisen Bank, United, Thomson Locations: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Europe's, China, United States, Hong Kong, Moscow, Europe, Russian

CNN —Russia as a country has no place at the 2024 Paris Olympics and no Russian flag should be used at next year’s Games, French President Emmanuel Macron said. Speaking to French sports newspaper l’Equipe, Macron added that discussions should be held about the participation of some Russian athletes who “may also be victims of this regime.”“Obviously, there can’t be a Russian flag at the Paris Olympic Games. Because Russia as a country has no place [at the Games] when it has committed war crimes and deported children,” Macron said Wednesday. So far, no decision has been taken on Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation at the 2024 Olympics. “We are ready to boycott the Olympic Games in Paris if the Russian Federation and Belarus are allowed to participate in the competition,” Shmyhal said.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron, ” Macron, Denys Shmyhal, ” Shmyhal, “ Organizations: CNN, Paris Olympic, International Olympic Committee, IOC, Ukrainian, Games, Olympic Games, Russian Federation Locations: Russia, Russian, Ukraine, Belarus, Paris

The Russian foreign ministry on Friday summoned the ambassador from longtime ally Armenia to protest upcoming joint military exercises with the United States and other complaints, highlighting growing tensions that are straining traditionally close relations. About 175 Armenian troops and 85 from the United States will start exercises on Monday focusing on peacekeeping operations. Landlocked Armenia has close military ties with Russia, including hosting a Russian military base and participating in the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization alliance. Political Cartoons View All 1148 ImagesHowever, Armenia has become increasingly disillusioned with Russia since the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. Armenia this year refused to allow CSTO exercises on its territory and it declined to send troops to bloc exercises in Belarus.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Maria Zakharova Organizations: Criminal Court, Russian, Security, Organization Locations: Armenia, United States, Ukraine, Rome, Russia, Moscow, Azerbaijan, Russian, Karabakh, Nagorno, Belarus

☆ Sabalenka fights back to snuff out home hopes of all-American final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It would end two tie-breaks later with the Belarusian walking off court into her second Grand Slam final of the season. Soaking up the energy of the home crowd, the 17th seed unleashed a barrage of winners and broke Sabalenka three times to open the match 6-0. Keys broke the Australian Open champion for a fourth time for a 2-1 lead in the second, leaving a frustrated Sabalenka screaming and smashing her racquet. But with Keys serving for a place in the final the Sabalenka who players fear finally appeared. For Keys, who played in the last all-American women's final in 2017, losing to Sloane Stephens, is was a missed opportunity to return to her home final that left her in tears.

Persons: Sabalenka, Madison Keys, Mike Segar, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Karolina Muchova, Arthur Ashe, Keys, Sloane Stephens, Steve Keating, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Tennis, Madison, U.S, REUTERS, Madison Keys, American U.S, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Belarus, American, Belarusian, New York

NEW YORK (AP) — Way down and almost out, Aryna Sabalenka just kept reminding herself the match wasn't over until the final point. Sabalenka refocused after a premature victory celebration to wrap up a 0-6, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (10-5) victory over Madison Keys on Thursday night and reach her first U.S. Open final. “Then, from the second set, it just got a lot closer. “I think everyone at the start of the tournament would obviously be really, really excited to be in the semis,” Keys said, breaking into tears. But I just think being able to take this and turn it to a positive is really possible.”___AP tennis coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Persons: Aryna Sabalenka, hadn't, Sabalenka, Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, you’ll, ” Sabalenka, “ Lucky, she'd, Keys, ” Keys, Sloane Stephens, “ Organizations: Madison, U.S Locations: U.S, New York, Belarus

☆ France's Macron: there can be no Russian flag at Paris 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a working meeting 500 days ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Paris and Ile-de-France Prefecture in Paris, France March 14, 2023. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said no Russian flag should fly at next year's Paris Olympics, with Russian athletes' participation an issue for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide. "Of course, there can be no Russian flag during the Paris Games, I think there is a consensus on that matter. "The real question, that the Olympic organisation should decide upon, is what place can be given to the Russian athletes (...) an issue that should not be politicized." Some Ukrainian athletes see their nation's current blanket ban on competing against Russians and Belarusians - regardless of the flag athletes from those two countries compete under - as a self-inflicted wound damaging sports stars' careers.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Ludovic Marin, Macron, Julien Pretot, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Paralympic Games, Rights, International Olympic Committee, Russian, Paris Games, L'Equipe, Thomson Locations: Paris, Ile, de, France Prefecture, France, Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus

☆ Migrants not just numbers, Italian director says in Venice film
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

VENICE, Sept 7 (Reuters) - With migrant arrivals once again surging in Italy, director Matteo Garrone has brought a film to Venice showing the perilous journey from Africa to Europe through the eyes of two naive, but plucky Senegalese teenagers. "In these years we have got used to the idea that they are only numbers and we forget that behind these numbers there are people, there are families, there are dreams, there are souls," Garrone told Reuters following the premiere of "Me Captain". "(The film) was born out the idea of wanting to change the point of view," said Garrone, whose previous movies include the crime dramas "Gomorrah" and "Dogman". Almost 115,300 boat migrants have reached Italy so far this year against 61,870 at the same point in 2022. "Me Captain" is the second film tackling the theme of immigration at this year's Venice Film Festival, following "Green Border", which depicted the nightmares awaiting migrants at the crossing between Poland and Belarus.

Persons: Matteo Garrone, Garrone, Seydou Sarr, Crispian Balmer, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Reuters, United Nations, Golden Lion, Thomson Locations: VENICE, Italy, Venice, Africa, Europe, Libya, France, Senegal, Morocco, Poland, Belarus

☆ Tobacco firm BAT sells Russian business to local management
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A woman poses with a cigarette in front of BAT (British American Tobacco) logo in this illustration taken July 26, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - British American Tobacco (BATS.L) said on Thursday it entered into a deal to sell its Russian and Belarusian businesses to a consortium led by members of BAT Russia's management team. The company controlled just under 25% of the Russian tobacco market at the time. BAT, which had previously been in talks with its local distributor over a sale, said it had now formally entered into an agreement to sell the business to a consortium led by its local management team, in compliance with local and international laws. The company took a 957 million pound impairment related to the transfer of its Russian business in July 2022.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Emma Rumney, Yadarisa, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: BAT, British, Tobacco, REUTERS, American Tobacco, BAT Russia's, Lucky, European, Thomson Locations: Russia, United States, European Union, Ukraine, Belarus, London

Learn moreThe 2023 US Open tennis tournament continues tonight with two semifinal matches to determine the Women's Singles bracket championship contenders. If you're hungering for masterful tennis play from the player atop the heap, you'll want to know where to watch free live streams for both Gauff vs. Muchova and Keys vs. Sabalenka. How to watch Gauff vs. Muchova & Keys vs. Sabalenka US Open Tennis live streams free from anywhereYou can watch the US Open women's semifinal tennis matches using one of the free live streams available. US Open Tennis broadcast scheduleBelow is a schedule of all the 2023 US Open tennis broadcasts through September 10. We'll keep updating our overall guide on how to get a free US Open tennis live stream as the tournament progresses too.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Karolina Muchova, Madison Keys, there's, We've, Muchova, ExpressVPN, CEST, AEST Organizations: United, Aryna, Free FIBA, New Zealand, TVNZ, ESPN, USA ESPN, ESPN Plus, ESPN Deportes, Subscription, Tennis Locations: United States, Czech Republic, Belarus, Australia, New, 9Now, New Zealand

On the overall list of the world’s Best Countries, Russia – where the survey was not fielded for the second year in a row – fell one spot to No. Among individuals in specific nations, the percentage of those agreeing this year that Russia is a “threat to the world” eclipsed 90% in several: Denmark, Finland, Japan and Poland. The only other countries with higher majorities agreeing that China is a global threat were Japan (91%) and South Korea (86%). Among respondents who do consider the U.S. a global threat, the highest share of agreement came from China at about 75%, while agreement eclipsed 60% among those from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and New Zealand. Still, the possibility of geoeconomic conflict is troubling, according to Ellissa Cavaciuti-Wishart, head of the Global Risks Initiative at the World Economic Forum.

Persons: ”, Russia ” –, “, Russia that’s, Vladimir Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Joe Biden, Richard Wike, ” Wike, “ They're, Biden, Ellissa Cavaciuti, Wishart Organizations: News, U.S . News, NATO, Wagner, Russia, The New York Times, Wagner Group, U.S, Best, Pew Research Center, Pew, Global, Economic Locations: Russia, Ukraine, U.S, China, United States, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Poland, Russian, Belarus, Moscow, Australia, United Kingdom, Eastern Europe, South Korea, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, New Zealand

☆ British American Tobacco finalizes Russia exit with sale to local managers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

British American Tobacco has finalized its exit from Russia about 18 months after it pledged to do so in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. However, other global tobacco giants are still doing business in the country, including Japan Tobacco International and Philip Morris International . London-based BAT is a key player in the global tobacco market with business operations in more than 100 countries. It controlled nearly 25% of Russia's tobacco market, which is the fourth largest in the world, according to Reuters. The buyer is a consortium led by members of BAT Russia's management team, which will wholly own the Russian and Belarusian businesses, BAT said.

Persons: Philip Morris Organizations: British, Tobacco, BAT, Japan Tobacco International, Philip, Philip Morris International . London, Camel, Reuters, BAT Russia's, ITMS Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Newport, Russian

Not when match point after match point went by the wayside. Gauff, a 19-year-old from Florida, reached her first final at Flushing Meadows by defeating Muchova 6-4, 7-5 on what was anything but an ordinary evening. When action resumed, the play was pretty even for several games, until Gauff surged ahead and got her first match point. — Gauff deserved credit for finding the right times to let Muchova miss as opposed to trying to get too aggressive. “You have to be focused and finish points," Muchova said about the challenge that facing Gauff presents.

Persons: — Coco Gauff, Karolina Muchova, It’s, Muchova, raucously, Alison Hughes, Gauff, ”, Serena Williams, “, ” Gauff, —, Sabalenka, Roland Garros, — Gauff Organizations: U.S, Gauff, Wimbledon, Madison Keys, AP Locations: Florida, Flushing Meadows, Gauff, New York, Belarus, Czech Republic

☆ France's Macron: There Can Be No Russian Flag at Paris 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said no Russian flag should fly at next year's Paris Olympics, with Russian athletes' participation an issue for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide. Ukraine has threatened a boycott of the Games though it may drop that if athletes from war allies Russia and Belarus compete under a neutral flag rather than national colours. "Of course, there can be no Russian flag during the Paris Games, I think there is a consensus on that matter. "The real question, that the Olympic organisation should decide upon, is what place can be given to the Russian athletes (...) an issue that should not be politicized." Some Ukrainian athletes see their nation's current blanket ban on competing against Russians and Belarusians - regardless of the flag athletes from those two countries compete under - as a self-inflicted wound damaging sports stars' careers.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Julien Pretot, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: PARIS, International Olympic Committee, Russian, Paris Games, L'Equipe Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Film director Agnieszka Holland demanded an apology from Poland's justice minister after he compared her latest film, which explores the migration crisis at the Poland-Belarus border, to Nazi propaganda. Holland said Wednesday that she planned to bring defamation charges against Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro unless she receives an apology within seven days. Holland’s feature film, “Green Border,” explores a migration crisis that has played out along Poland’s border with Belarus over the past two years. Holland said the comparison to Nazi propaganda was offensive because of what Poland suffered under Nazi occupation during World War II and given her own background. Holland's film dramatizes the migration tragedy that unfolded in the “green border” of swamps and forests between Belarus and Poland.

Persons: Agnieszka Holland, Holland, Zbigniew Ziobro, Ziobro, ”, Poland, ” Holland Organizations: —, Reich, Venice Film, Nazi, Law, Justice Locations: WARSAW, Poland, Belarus, East, Africa, Russia, Venice, Warsaw, Polish, Ukraine

☆ British American Tobacco clinches a deal to sell its Russian business
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —British American Tobacco has struck an agreement to sell its businesses in Russia and Belarus, the company announced Thursday, more than 18 months after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine sparked a mass exodus of Western firms from Russia. BAT (BTI) said in a statement that it had entered into a formal sales agreement with a consortium led by members of the management team of its Russian operations. In February, the company said its 2022 results had been dented by a £612 million ($764 million) charge related to its Russian and Belarusian businesses. BAT's London offices seen in January 2021 Toby Melville/ReutersBAT’s Russian and Belarusian businesses account for about 2.7% of its revenue. Dutch beer maker Heineken announced its departure from the country last month, saying it had sold its Russian business for a symbolic €1 ($1).

Persons: —, Toby Melville, Dolf van den Brink Organizations: London CNN, British, Tobacco, BAT, Reuters, Russian, Heineken, . Locations: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, London

☆ China is eroding Russia's influence over old allies as the alliance it leads crumbles over Ukraine, expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russian influence is waning despite formal alliances and the old ties of the Soviet Union. It is also home to most members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO): Russian President Vladimir Putin's equivalent of NATO. Russia's influence on them is also being weakened by more countries competing for their attention, Graham said. AdvertisementAdvertisementHe said that "Russia's operation in Ukraine is undermining, eroding its ability to maintain its influence across the former Soviet space." "You're seeing the slow erosion of Russian influence."

Persons: Thomas Graham, Vladimir Putin's, Graham, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Stanislav Zas, Nikol Pashinyan, Alexander Lukashenko, Kassym, Tokayev, Sadyr Japarov, Emomali Rakhmon, Anton Novoderezhkin Organizations: Service, Yale, Collective Security, Organization, NATO, Moscow REUTERS, Russia, Armenian, Kazakh, Kremlin, Sputnik, REUTERS, Central, AFPTV, Getty Locations: Central Asia, Russia, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, China, Turkey, East, Caucasus, Moscow, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Central, Europe, Iran, Russian, Belarusian, Bakhmut, AFP, Azerbaijan, Soviet

☆ Sabalenka eases past Zheng into U.S. Open semis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sabalenka will play the winner of a match between American Madison Keys and Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova. "I'm super happy with the win against her... super happy with the performance," said Sabalenka, who lost in the semi-finals in her previous two U.S. Open appearances. Zheng improved in the second set, forcing Sabalenka to run back and forth along the baseline as she showed finesse to triumph in a 21-shot rally in the fifth game. "In the second set she start playing better, serving better. "I'm super happy that even though she tried to play more aggressive, I was able to keep my level."

Persons: China's Qinwen Zheng, Brendan Mcdermid, Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen, pummelled, Zheng, Marketa Vondrousova, Amy Tennery, Ed Osmond Organizations: Tennis, U.S ., Australian, Madison Keys, Wimbledon, U.S, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Belarus, Belarusian, Flushing Meadows, New York

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