China’s grueling ‘996’ work culture is being debated by European startups — 7 founders and VCs on why they are resisting

European startup founders are being pressured to embrace China’s toxic “996” work culture on LinkedIn and they’re pushing back. D3sign | Moment | Getty Images The European startup scene was recently shaken by a LinkedIn debate with some venture capitalists applying pressure on founders to embrace a culture of overwork to compete on a global…

Ukrainian tennis player refuses to shake Russian opponent’s hand after semifinal victory | CNN

CNN  —  Ukrainian tennis player Anhelina Kalinina refused to shake hands with Veronika Kudermetova, her Russian opponent, following the former’s victory in the semifinals of the Rome Masters in Italy on Friday. Speaking to reporters after the match at Foro Italico, Rome, Kalinina said, “We didn’t shake hands because the girl is from Russia basically….

French Open crowd boos as Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk refuses to shake hands with Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka | CNN

CNN  —  Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Belarusian opponent Aryna Sabalenka following their opening round match at the French Open, leading to boos from some of the crowd. After Sabalenka secured the 6-3 6-2 win, Kostyuk walked straight over to the umpire to shake her hand and then back to…

Belarusian star opts out of French Open press conference, saying she ‘did not feel safe’ at last press conference | CNN

CNN  —  World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka did not participate in a customary post-match press conference after her third-round win at the French Open on Friday, saying she didn’t feel safe when participating in a press conference held earlier this week. On Wednesday, after winning in the second round of the tournament, the Belarusian had…

Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina calls Russian opponent ‘brave’ following French Open win | CNN

CNN  —  Tennis player Elina Svitolina called her opponent, Russian Daria Kasatkina, a “brave one” following the Ukrainian’s upset win on Sunday. Svitolina, who previously said she would not shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents out of respect for the men and women defending Ukraine, told reporters that she “acknowledged” Kasatkina after the match….

Aryna Sabalenka exacerbated handshake snub by waiting at the net, says Elina Svitolina | CNN

CNN  —  Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina said that she was unsure why Belarusian opponent Aryna Sabalenka waited at the net for a handshake after their French Open match. With the war in her home country ongoing, Svitolina has declined to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players since returning to tennis following the birth…