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☆ New leader of Moldovan region thanks exiled patron, backs ties with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, July 19 (Reuters) - The new leader of Moldova's region of Gagauzia expressed gratitude at her inauguration on Wednesday to a wealthy magnate jailed in absentia for fraud and stood by her calls for closer ties with Russia. The region's 140,000 residents have had an uneasy relationship with Moldovan authorities in three decades of independence from Soviet rule. Gutul pledged to uphold good ties with Turkey and Russia, as well as with Moldova's neighbours, Ukraine and Romania. In the election campaign, contested by a slate of pro-Russian candidates, she pledged to build closer ties with Russia and open a diplomatic mission in Moscow. Reporting by Alexander Tanas in Chisinau; Editing by Ron Popeski and Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gagauzia, Maia Sandu, Yevgeniya, Ilan Shor, Shor, Ilan, Gutul, Shor's, Sandu's, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Grant McCool Organizations: European Union, Moldovan, Moldova's Constitutional, Sandu's PAS, Thomson Locations: CHISINAU, Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Israel, Gagauzia, Chisinau, Turkey, Romania, Moscow, Transdniestria, Russian

☆ Moldova separatist leader vows to solve opposition politician's suspected murder
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, July 19 (Reuters) - The president of Moldova's separatist pro-Russian Transdniestria region vowed on Tuesday to solve the suspected murder of an opposition politician who was a rare advocate of reconciliation with the country's pro-European government. Opposition politician Oleg Horgan was found dead in his home this week, apparently after being struck with a heavy object. Transdniestria President Vadim Krasnoselsky said he would take "personal control" of the investigation. A parliamentary committee summoned a special sitting of the assembly to discuss the suspected murder later in the week. Moldova has embarked on a drive to join the EU since the 2020 election of President Maia Sandu, who has roundly denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Persons: Transdniestria, Oleg Horgan, Oleg Serebrean, Vadim Krasnoselsky, Krasnoselsky, Horgan, Maia Sandu, Sandu, Ronald Popeski, Sonali Paul Organizations: Organization for Security, Cooperation, European Union, EU, Communist, Sheriff, Moldovan, Civic Congress, Russian, Thomson Locations: CHISINAU, Russian, Moldova, Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Transdniestria, Moscow

☆ Jabeur crushes Kvitova to set up rematch of 2022 final with Rybakina
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Tunisian sixth seed Jabeur had to come from a set down against Bianca Andreescu on Saturday but had no such problems on a blustery afternoon as she raced through the first set in 22 minutes, almost unchallenged. Her crowd-pleasing variety of slice and change of pace and angle left the 2011 and 2014 champion flailing. The ninth-seeded Czech had the briefest of recoveries in the second set but it did not last and Jabeur finished off in style, breaking to love. Third-seeded Kazakh Rybakina, who beat Jabeur in three sets in last year’s final, went through after Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia retired at 4-1 down in the first set with a back injury. Reporting by Mitch Phillips; editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Petra Kvitova, Hannah Mckay LONDON, Elena Rybakina, Jabeur, Bianca Andreescu, flailing, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Mitch Phillips, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Czech, Court, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Tunisian, Czech, Kazakh

☆ Holders Djokovic, Rybakina move into Wimbledon quarter-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Second seed Djokovic will hope his 101st match at Wimbledon - against seventh-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev in the last eight - will mark a return to vintage form. Rybakina, meanwhile, had an easier route into the quarter-finals after her Brazilian opponent retired with a back injury while trailing the third seed 4-1 in the first set. "It was really unlucky for Beatriz and I hope she gets better," added Rybakina. It was also a day to rejoice for fellow American Eubanks, who got past Tsitsipas 3-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4 6-4 to make the quarter-finals on his Wimbledon debut. "I feel like I'm living a dream right now, this is absolutely insane," said Eubanks, who meets Medvedev next.

Persons: Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Hannah Mckay, Djokovic, Rybakina, Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Eubanks, Novak Djokovic, Pole Hubert Hurkacz, Elena Rybakina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Daniil Medvedev, Czech Jiri Lehecka, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Christopher Eubanks, Holder Djokovic, Andrey Rublev, Beatriz, Jabeur, Petra Kvitova, Ekaterina Alexandrova, I'm, Sabalenka, Andreeva, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Serbia's Novak Djokovic REUTERS, Wimbledon, Court, Madison Keys, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Czech, Moscow, Kazakh, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Bengaluru

☆ This Drug Could Help Survivors Heal From Cults Like NXIVM - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Maia Szalavitz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The best way to prevent this — or mitigate harm, if it cannot be prevented — is through social support, via good parenting and other loving relationships, which calm the brain’s stress systems. A study of mice recently published in Nature suggests that psychedelics can reopen what’s known as a critical period for learning social and emotional skills that occurs during the animal’s adolescence. And psychedelics known to produce a longer “trip” in humans seem to reopen the critical learning period in mice for a longer period of time. This ability to specifically enhance social learning is why these drugs may be so useful for helping those who are harmed by cults or early life trauma. NXIVM did not drug its victims, although other cults have — most notoriously the murderous “family” led by Charles Manson, who gave his followers LSD.

Persons: It’s, NXIVM, ”, Charles Manson Organizations: India, NXIVM

With a straight sets victory over Alexander Zverev without dropping serve in the third round, Berrettini has suddenly emerged as a dark horse at Wimbledon. "I'm not seeded but it's a tough draw," said a smiling Berrettini, a finalist in 2021. Berrettini missed the 2022 Wimbledon with COVID-19 while injuries in the past year saw the Italian's ranking plummet. "Every match that I win on Centre Court is better for me to get into this court, this atmosphere ... I feel that I belong to that court," Alcaraz said.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Matteo Berrettini, Berrettini, Alexander Zverev, I'm, Carlos, it's, Alcaraz, Nicolas Jarry, Elena Rybakina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Petra Kvitova, Jabeur, Petra, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Wimbledon, All England Club, Thomson Locations: Australia, COVID, Wimbledon, Bengaluru

☆ Haddad Maia beats Cirstea in nick of time before rain sets in
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, July 8 (Reuters) - Beatriz Haddad Maia moved into the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time in her career with an emphatic 6-2 6-2 victory over Sorana Cirstea on Saturday, a minute before play was suspended due to rain. Haddad Maia, who became the first Brazilian woman to reach the top 10 in the WTA rankings after her semi-final run at Roland Garros a month ago, shot out of the blocks on a cloudy morning to convert two early breaks and take a 3-0 lead. Cirstea could be heard urging herself to "Fight, fight, fight," and although she fought back with a break of her own, Haddad Maia attacked the Romanian's weaker second serve to break once again and serve out the opening set. But that only delayed the inevitable as Haddad Maia ground Cirstea down in her final service game and clinched victory on her first match point. And just in time as the rain came down, the players scrambled off, and the covers came on under grey London skies.

Persons: Beatriz Haddad Maia, Sorana Cirstea, Haddad Maia, Roland Garros, Cirstea, Haddad, Rohith Nair, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Romanian, Bengaluru

☆ Rybakina on fire as she suffocates Boulter in 57 brutal minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Armed with a menacing serve and steely resolve, Wimbledon champion Rybakina never allowed the partisan crowd to find their full vocal range as she ruthlessly and unceremoniously cut Boulter down with a 6-1 6-1 third-round demolition job. "Today I was playing really well... and overall I am happy I was focused from the beginning until the end." They only problem was that Rybakina had failed to read the British script. Such was the Kazakh third seed's dominance that the stunned crowd appeared to have lost their collective voice while Boulter simply lost her way. Mercifully for the 89th-ranked Boulter, her ordeal lasted only 57 brutal minutes as Rybakina broke for the fourth time to end the British challenge at this year's championships with a forehand winner.

Persons: Elena Rybakina, Britain's Katie Boulter, Toby Melville LONDON, Katie Boulter, Rybakina, Boulter, Andy Murray, Karolina Pliskova, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Pritha Sarkar, Clare Fallon Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Briton, Wimbledon, steely, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Kazakh, British

☆ Alcaraz passes test at Wimbledon, Rybakina on fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

In the men's draw, third seed Daniil Medvedev and fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas both swept through while 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini set up a showdown with Alcaraz. With the big-serving Berrettini up next, Alcaraz, who was a break down in the fourth set, said Saturday's test was just what he needed. Rybakina ensured a demoralising 48 hours for Britain as she demolished Katie Boulter 6-1 6-1 to end home hopes in the singles. But she lasted only 57 minutes as Kazakhstan's Rybakina sent out an ominous warning to those wanting her title. Second seed Sabalenka is also in the groove heading into the second week after a 6-2 6-3 defeat of Anna Blinkova.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Chile's Nicolas Jarry, Toby Melville LONDON, Carlos Alcaraz, Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Petra Kvitova, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos, Matteo Berrettini, Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz, Berrettini, Alexander Zverev, Medvedev, Hungary's Marton Fucsovics, Rybakina, Katie Boulter, Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie, Liam Broady, Kazakhstan's Rybakina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Sorana, Maria Bueno, Anna Blinkova, Canada's Bianca Andreescu, Serbia's, Holger Rune, Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Rune, Christopher Eubanks, Chris O'Connell, Tsitsipas, Martyn Herman, Clare Fallon Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Chile's, Wimbledon, Queen's, Court, Serbian, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Belarusian, Ukraine, U.S, Berlin

☆ Moldova airport shooting suspect in coma, wanted in Tajikstan for abduction
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, July 1 (Reuters) - The chief suspect in a shootout in Moldova's main international airport remained in a coma on Saturday and was wanted in his native Tajikistan in connection with the abduction of a bank officer, Moldovan authorities said. The 43-year-old man grabbed a gun and shot dead two security officers and wounded a civilian on Friday after being denied entry to ex-Soviet Moldova, they said. Musteata said the suspect would be tried in Moldova and face an aggravated murder charge "if he survives". Moldova, lying between Ukraine and European Union member Romania, has been severely buffeted by the war in Ukraine. President Maia Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion and set EU membership of her country as the top foreign policy priority.

Persons: Ion Musteata, Dragos Galbur, Musteata, Maia Sandu, Ron Popeski, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Moldova, Officials, European Union, Romania, Thomson Locations: CHISINAU, Tajikistan, Soviet Moldova, Istanbul, Moldovan, Moldova, Soviet, Central Asia, Dushanbe, Chisinau, Ukraine

☆ Tajik man shoots two dead at Moldova's international airport
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, June 30 (Reuters) - A 43-year-old Tajik man grabbed a gun, shot dead two security officers and wounded a civilian at Moldova's main international airport on Friday after being denied entry to the country, authorities said. The suspected assailant was himself wounded and apprehended, police said, in an incident that briefly grounded flights at Chisinau International Airport. Moldova's acting chief prosecutor, Ion Munteanu, said the shooting was being examined as a terrorist act. The two killed were a border guard and an airport security officer, President Maia Sandu said, offering condolences. It was only after we went far away from the airport that we were told there is someone who is shooting."

Persons: Ion Munteanu, Olena Shevelyova, Dorin Recean, Maia Sandu, Munteanu, Dragos Galbur, Alexander Tanas, Olena Harmash, Tom Balmforth, Cynthia Osterman, Ron Popeski, Grant McCool Organizations: Chisinau International Airport, European Union, Thomson Locations: CHISINAU, Chisinau, Tajikistan, Soviet, Asia, Istanbul, Moldova, Moldovan, Soviet Union, Ukrainian, Milan

LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) - The economic pain of higher interest rates seems duller than many had braced for only late last year - and subdued household debt burdens may be at least partly responsible. More interest rate sensitive countries with more flexible loan rates - such at Canada, Australia and Sweden - are already turning higher. What's more, the overall impact of higher borrowing rates is partly offset by rising interest rates on savings. And so net of interest income, JPMorgan points out, interest costs are up only 0.2 percentage point of disposable personal income since the start of the Fed hiking cycle early last year. Higher costs are still coming with a lag for many and will drag on the economies further from here.

Persons: Jerome Powell, JPMorgan's Joseph Lupton, Maia Crook, Lupton, Crook, it's, Mike Dolan, Alison Williams Organizations: Federal Reserve, JPMorgan, Reuters, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Canada, Australia, Sweden, Britain, Central

☆ WTA roundup: Coco Gauff cruises into quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

4 Ons Jabeur was eliminated in the second round of the Rothesay International on Wednesday in Eastbourne, England. Gauff defeated Brit Jodie Burrage 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals, where she will play fellow American Jessica Pegula. 3 seed needed three sets to dispatch Camila Osorio 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. Jabeur was bounced in 72 minutes by unseeded Italian Camila Giorgi 6-3, 6-2. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland cruised into the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Switzerland's Jil Teichmann in Germany.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Britain's Jodie Anna Burrage, Paul Childs, Gauff, Brit Jodie Burrage, Jessica Pegula, Camila Osorio, Jabeur, Camila Giorgi, Carolina Garcia, Ana Bogdan, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Petra Martic, Daria Kasatkina, Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, Swiatek, Anna Blinkova, Leylah Fernandez, Lucia Bronzetti, Mayar Sherif, Katerina Siniakova Organizations: Eastbourne International, Lawn Tennis Club, Rothesay International, Madison, Bad, Canada, Thomson Locations: Eastbourne, Britain, Rothesay, England, Brazil, Bad Homburg, Poland, Germany, Egypt, Czech Republic

☆ WTA roundup: Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff cruise in England
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pegula posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory over 24th-ranked Qinwen Zheng of China in 1 hour, 38 minutes, while Gauff fired six aces en route to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Bernarda Pera in 61 minutes. Also on Tuesday, Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia secured a 6-1, 7-5 win over Madison Brengle and fourth-seeded Ons Jabeur of Tunisia captured a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Italian Jasmine Paolini. Samsonova recorded 18 aces to secure a 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-3 win over the 18-year-old Noskova. Spain's Rebeka Masarova registered seven aces en route to a comprehensive 6-3, 6-2 victory over the Canadian, a former U.S. Open champion and the runner-up at this tournament last year. Also on Tuesday, eighth-seeded Varvara Gracheva notched a 6-2, 7-5 win over Italian Sara Errani.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Bernarda Pera, Paul Childs, Jessica Pegula, Pegula, Zheng, Gauff, Camila Osorio, Jodie Burrage, Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, Madison Brengle, Jasmine Paolini ., Beatriz Haddad Maia, Marie Bouzkova, Samsonova, Linda Noskova, Bianca Andreescu, Spain's Rebeka Masarova, Varvara Gracheva, Sara Errani Organizations: Eastbourne International, Lawn Tennis Club, Bernarda, U.S, Rothesay International, Bernarda Pera, Wednesday, Colombian, Madison, Thomson Locations: Eastbourne, Britain, Rothesay, England, China, Great Britain, Tunisia, Czech Republic, Bad Homburg, U.S

DOYLESTOWN, Pennsylvania, June 24 (Reuters) - On May 12, the library coordinator for Pennsylvania's Central Bucks School District sent an email to colleagues that some conservative parents and Christian advocacy groups had long prayed to see. Liberal groups say the effort amounts to censorship and even bigotry, with disproportionate harm to LGBT students and those in other minority groups. Dana Hunter, a Republican and the chair of the school board, said she sought advice from Jeremy Samek, senior counsel at the Independence Law Center and the Pennsylvania Family Institute. "There are things that everybody would agree, including the ACLU, that you shouldn't be giving to kids," said Samek, who does not live in the school district. Dell'Angelo, one of the board's Democrats, said it was wrong to involve groups that oppose LGBT rights in public school policy, and unethical to do so in secret.

Persons: Maia Kobabe, Juno Dawson, curriculums, Tabitha Dell'Angelo, Dana Hunter, Jeremy Samek, Hunter, Dell'Angelo, Samek, Hannah Beier, Leo Burchell, Shannon Harris, Harris, Jonathan Allen, Paul Thomasch, Claudia Parsons Organizations: Pennsylvania's Central Bucks School District, Republican, Liberal, Family Research Council, Independence Law Center, Pennsylvania Family Institute, Reuters, Republicans, American Association of School Librarians, Liberty, Museum, American, REUTERS, American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, U.S . Department of Education's, Civil Rights, U.S, ACLU, Pennsylvania Family, Family Research, Thomson Locations: DOYLESTOWN , Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Bucks, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, U.S, Central Bucks

☆ Philippine central bank on hold for rest of year, cut in early 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Veronica Dudei Maia Khongwir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

All 24 economists polled June 13-19 forecast the BSP will hold its benchmark overnight borrowing rate (PHCBIR=ECI) at 6.25% at its policy meeting on June 22. A strong majority of respondents, 14 of 17, forecast rates will stay at 6.25% for the rest of the year with the remaining three predicting a rate cut by end-2023. The central bank, which had previously closely followed the U.S. Federal Reserve in hiking interest rates, is now charting a distinct course. "In later meetings if the Fed hikes, the BSP is likely to stay on hold. The Fed kept interest rates unchanged at 5.00%-5.25% last week but signaled it may still hike by as much as half of a percentage point by end-2023.

Persons: Eloisa Lopez, Felipe Medalla, Francisco Dakila Jr, Shreya, Veronica Dudei Maia Khongwir, Anant Chandak, Madhumita Gokhale, Hari Kishan, Ross Finley, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, ng Pilipinas, U.S . Federal Reserve, Fed, Barclays, BSP, Thomson Locations: Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines, BENGALURU, Philippine

☆ Moldova bans pro-Russian Shor party after months of protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Marina Tauber, leader of the opposition pro-Russian political party Shor, delivers a speech during a hearing of the Constitutional Court in Chisinau, Moldova, June 19, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav CuliomzaSummary Constitutional Court bans pro-Russian Shor partyShor lawmakers can remain in parliament as independentsPresident Maia Sandu welcomes court's decisionCHISINAU, June 19 (Reuters) - Moldova's Constitutional Court on Monday banned the pro-Russian Shor party that has led months of protests and is headed by an exiled businessman accused by the West and the government of trying to destabilise the country. Shor has denied the protests are part of a Russian threat or of attempts to destabilise Moldova. Parliamentary speaker Igor Grosu said the court's decision was "an important victory for Moldovan democracy". Opposition Socialist Party leader Igor Dodon said Sandu's governing Action and Solidarity Party had "officially become totalitarian, destroying opposition forces" and that it would eventually suffer the same fate as the Shor party.

Persons: Marina Tauber, Shor, Vladislav Culiomza, Maia Sandu, Ilan Shor, Nicolae Rosca, Sandu, Igor Grosu, Igor Dodon, Alexander Tanas, Anna Pruchnicka, Timothy Heritage, Mark Heinrich, Ed Osmond Organizations: Constitutional, REUTERS, West, European Union, EU, Moldovan, Opposition Socialist Party, Solidarity Party had, Thomson Locations: Russian, Chisinau, Moldova, CHISINAU, Israel, United States, Soviet, Russia, Moldova's, Transdniestria

☆ Russia's 'least capable' troops aren't in Ukraine, but they're still causing problems next door, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Constantine Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Moldova, next door to Ukraine, has been under pressure from Russia for decades. Amid the war in Ukraine, Kyiv and Western officials say Moscow is stepping up its interference. As a result of a 1992 war between Moldovan forces and Transnistrian separatists, Russian troops entered the breakaway region to support the separatists. Following that war, Transnistria gained a form of autonomy. SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty ImagesMoldova declared a state of emergency after Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, and it remains in effect.

Persons: —, that's, John Sullivan, SERGUEI VORONIN, Chișinău, Maia Sandu, Diego Herrera Carcedo, SERGEI GAPON, Moldova's, John Kirby, Kirby, Pierre Crom, Thomas de Waal, Dara Massicot, Massicot, Jamar Marcel Pugh, Sandu, Ursula von der Leyen, Constantine Atlamazoglou Organizations: Service, Georgetown University, Getty, Moldovan, NATO, EU, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images Moldova, White House National Security Council, Carnegie, RAND Corporation, US Army National Guard, European Commission, Fletcher School of Law, LinkedIn Locations: Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Transnistria, Kyiv, Western, Moscow, Soviet Union, Romania, Europe, Baltic, Poland, Bender, Transnistrian, Chisinau, May, Lithuania, Sweden, AFP, Russian, Carnegie Europe, NATO, Bulgaria

☆ Djokovic returns to world number one, Nadal out of top 100
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 13 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic reclaimed the world number one ranking from Carlos Alcaraz after winning his men's record 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Rafa Nadal dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in 20 years. Alcaraz dropped to second place while Daniil Medvedev, who crashed out in the first round, also slid one place down to third. Nadal, a 14-times French Open champion, has endured an injury-plagued season and not played since January because of a hip injury sustained during the Australian Open. In the women's rankings, Iga Swiatek retained top spot after defending her French Open title. French Open finalist Muchova climbed from 43rd to a career-high 16th.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Rafa Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Roland Garros, Casper Ruud, Iga Swiatek, Ash, Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Muchova, Muchova, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Hritika Sharma, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Nadal, French, Swiatek, Reigning Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Paris, Hyderabad

☆ Illinois becomes first state to pass law curtailing book bans
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Brendan O'Brien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, signed the historic measure into law on Monday in a Chicago library. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, the governor's office said in a statement. "Here in Illinois, we don't hide from the truth, we embrace it," Pritzker said. Under the new law, Illinois public libraries can only access state grants if they adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which stipulates that "materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval." Other states may choose to embrace prejudice and divisive ideologies, but our state is going in a better direction," said Democratic State Representative Anne Stava-Murray, who represents Downers Grove, in support of the Illinois measure.

Persons: J.B, Pritzker, shouldn't, Laura Hois, We're, Representative Anne Stava, Murray, Maia Kobabe, Toni Morrison, Amanda Gorman, Joe Biden's, Brendan O'Brien, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Illinois, American, Association's, Republican, PEN America, American Library Association, ALA, ABC, Democratic, Representative, Downers, Thomson Locations: Illinois, United States, Chicago, U.S, Florida, Texas, Downers Grove, Utah , Missouri, Miami, Dade County

☆ Haddad Maia first Brazilian to reach WTA top 10
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, June 12 (Reuters) - Beatriz Haddad Maia became the first Brazilian woman to reach the top 10 of the WTA rankings on Monday following her dream run to the semi-finals of the French Open. The 27-yaer-old beat Tunisia's Ons Jabeur in the last eight in Paris to become the first Brazilian woman in 55 years to reach a Grand Slam semi-final. Brazilian women's has had precious little success since the days of Maria Bueno who claimed seven Grand Slam titles between 1959 and 1966 -- long before the advent of the WTA rankings which were introduced in 1975. Three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten reached number one in the men's ATP rankings in 2000. Haddad Maia will take a ranking of 10 into the grasscourt season in which she impressed last year and will feature in this week's Nottingham Open as build-up to Wimbledon begins.

Persons: Beatriz Haddad Maia, Iga Swiatek, women's, Maria Bueno, Gustavo Kuerten, Haddad Maia, Martyn Herman, Christian Radnedge Organizations: WTA, Nottingham, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Paris

☆ 2023 French Open women’s final: Karolína Muchová faces Iga Świątek
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Saturday’s women’s French Open final proves to be an intriguing one for many reasons, in particular because each player’s recent experiences offer tantalizing narratives. Muchová has had to overcome countless battles with injuries while Świątek has skyrocketed to become a three-time grand slam winner. She has slowly climbed back to her best and has enjoyed a remarkable run at this year’s French Open. In the final, with just a victory between her and a French Open title, this is familiar territory for the Pole. Although she’s familiar with the situation, Świątek said a lot had changed since her first French Open title three years ago.

Persons: Saturday’s, Iga Świątek, Roland Garros, Karolína Muchová, Świątek, Muchová, Rafael Nadal, ”, Philippe Chatrier, Maria Sakkari, Nadia Podoroska, Irina, Camelia Begu, Elina Avanesyan, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Muchova, Clive Brunskill, Indian Wells, “ It’s, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Świątek lunges, Haddad Maia, Andy Cheung, Nadal, “, Rafa, he’s Organizations: CNN, Sabalenka Locations: Prague, Paris, Indian, Dubai, Indian Wells

☆ Opinion: How to respond to anti-LGBTQ hate this Pride month
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Opinion Allison Hope | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

I promise there are some simple and immensely helpful ways in which LGBTQ people and allies can take action in June and every month. Don Arnold/Getty ImagesIf you don’t know where to begin with lobbying, look to an LGBTQ or civil rights group doing the hard work on the ground. Commit to learning and teaching: Even members and strong allies of the LGBTQ community can benefit from fresh learning. After all, the LGBTQ community is anything but a monolith — there are so many diverse forms of representation and a landscape that is quickly evolving. It’s also not a bad time to support brands that are supportive of the LGBTQ community.

Persons: Allison Hope, Read, Allison, ”, isn’t, ” Melanie Willingham, “, they’re, Octavio Jones, allyship, —, Don Arnold, Virginia Woolf’s, Orlando ”, Dorian Gray ”, Oscar Wilde, Janet Mock’s, ” Young, Maia Kobabe’s, Juno Dawson, Jessica Love, Wilhelmina ”, Joseph Belisle, It’s, Ron DeSantis, intersectionality, let’s Organizations: New Yorker, The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, Slate, Allison Hope, Tampa Pride, Getty, Progress, Florida Capitol, Sydney Opera House, Volunteer, Reading, Florida Gov, Twitter, Facebook Locations: New, Florida, Tampa, Tallahassee, Australia, Virginia, Paisley, America

☆ Swiatek feels heat but ends Haddad Maia run to reach final
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The 14th-seeded Haddad Maia, whose career has been hampered by injuries and a 10-month doping ban, had played four consecutive three-set matches to get to the semi-finals. Swiatek's previous clashes had lasted a little over an hour each, while Haddad Maia had spent nearly 13 hours on court. She got a second break for 4-2 when Haddad Maia netted a drop shot attempt and sealed the set with another break. It seemed Swiatek would stroll through the second set, but Haddad Maier, the first Brazilian woman to reach the last four at major since 1968, had other ideas. With two big first serves, Swiatek saved them and staved off another before holding, forcing Haddad Maia to serve to stay in the match.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Haddad Maia, Czech Karolina Muchova, Swiatek, Suzanne Lenglen, Philippe Chatrier, Haddad Maier, Julien Pretot, Pritha Sarkar, Ed Osmond Organizations: Czech, Thomson Locations: Belarus, Polish

Swiatek, who lifted the Suzanne Lenglen Cup last year and in 2020, was put through the wringer by Haddad Maia but held her nerve in a tense tiebreak to see off the 14th seed's challenge. "She has a really nice game for clay courts with a lot of top spin," Swiatek said of Haddad Maia, who beat the Pole in their only other meeting in Toronto last year. There was light at the end of the tunnel for Japan's Miyu Kato after a difficult few days, as she put her women's doubles disqualification behind her to claim the mixed doubles crown with Germany's Tim Puetz. Kato and her Indonesian partner Aldila Sutjiadi had been disqualified from the women's doubles in the third round when Kato hit a ball down the court between points, inadvertently striking a ball girl. I'm doing my best so we can one day return and claim the women's doubles title."

Persons: Haddad Maia, Sabalenka Kato, Iga Swiatek, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Roland Garros, Karolina Muchova, Suzanne Lenglen, Swiatek, Muchova, Jelena Ostapenko, Miyu Kato, Tim Puetz, Canada's Bianca Andreescu, New Zealander Michael Venus, Kato, Aldila Sutjiadi, I'm, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Karolos Grohmann, Julien Pretot, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ed Osmond, Pritha Organizations: PARIS, New Zealander, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Paris, New

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