Sydney, Australia | AFP | Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov on Saturday broke the record for the fastest round-the-world flight in a hot air balloon, his crew said. Flight coordinator John Wallington said Konyukhov, who took off from Western Australia on July 12, had successfully flown the route by Saturday afternoon …
Read More »Olympics: IOC delays Russia ban decision for CAS ruling
Lausanne, Switzerland | AFP | The International Olympic Committee barred Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko from the Rio Games and withdrew backing for international events in Russia over a state-run doping programme, but delayed ruling on a complete ban on the country until after a key court case on Thursday. …
Read More »Russia doping state-dictated with secret service backing: report
Russia operated a state-dictated doping system during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and other events, an independent investigator said Monday in a report likely to lead to demands for Russia to be completely banned from the Rio Games. Canadian law professor Richard McLaren said Russia’s FSB secret service had backed …
Read More »‘Serious’ doubts over Russian, Kenyan athletes – IOC chief
Lausanne, Switzerland | AFP | Deficiencies in the anti-doping systems in Russia and Kenya have created doubts about the presumption of innocence for athletes from both countries, the Olympics chief said Tuesday. “Because of the (World Anti-Doping Agency) non-compliance declaration of Kenya and Russia and the related substantial allegations, the …
Read More »DOPING: Russian track and field athletes thrown out of Rio
Moscow, Russia | AFP | World athletics’ governing body IAAF has ruled to maintain Russia’s suspension, a top Russian athletics official confirmed Friday, TASS news agency reported. “I can confirm, the suspension is upheld,” Mikhail Butov, general secretary of the Russian athletics federation, told TASS. “I cannot give any more …
Read More »Bale not England’s only worry, says Rooney
Marseille, France | AFP | Wayne Rooney insists England will not focus on Gareth Bale’s threat when they look to bounce back in Euro 2016 against Wales on Thursday. England were stunned by a late equaliser by Russia in Marseille in their opening Group B match. England centre back Gary …
Read More »Heartache for England amid bruising day for football
Marseille, France | AFP | Poland 1 Northern Ireland 0 Germany 2 Ukraine 0 Wales 2 Slovakia 1 England 1 Russia 1 Russia captain Vasili Berezutski inflicted Euro 2016 heartache on England on Saturday after a day in which fan violence brought new shame on football. Gareth Bale’s cannon free …
Read More »Putin admits Panama Papers ‘accurate,’ blames US
Moscow, Russia | AFP Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday acknowledged the accuracy of the Panama Papers revelations, but claimed funds had been spent on musical instruments as he blamed the leak on the United States. The Papers revealed that Putin’s associates, notably cellist Sergei Roldugin, “secretly shuffled as much …
Read More »Russia plans to enact Ugandan-style Anti-gay law
By Ronald Musoke & Agencies Russia is planning to enact an even tougher Anti-homosexuality law than Uganda’s to protect young Russians. The legislation which is being pushed by the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church will make it illegal nationwide to provide young children with information that is defined as …
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