Russia

Russians challenge doping ban

Geneva - Emiratesvoice

Dozens of Russian athletes banned by the International Olympic Committee for life over doping began an appeal against their suspension on Monday at the world's top sports court. The week-long hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) includes appeals from 39 Russians who competed at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi that were tarnished by a vast, Moscow-backedRead more

Unbeaten Garcia title fight with Lipinets moved to March

New York - Emiratesvoice

Undefeated Mikey Garcia's bid for a fourth world crown in a super lightweight showdown with International Boxing Federation champion Sergey Lipinets of Russia has been postponed to March 10, promoters announced Friday. Unbeaten Lipinets suffered a hand injury in training for a fight card that had been scheduled for February 10 in San Antonio, Texas. The bouts will remain inRead more

US to overtake Saudi as crude oil producer: IEA

Paris - Emiratesvoice

Crude production of 9.9 million barrels per day (bpd) in the US was now at the highest level in nearly 50 years, "putting it neck-and-neck with Saudi Arabia, the world's second largest crude producer after Russia," the IEA said. "Relentless growth should see the US hit historic highs above 10 million bpd, overtaking Saudi Arabia and rivalling Russia during theRead more

Putin takes icy plunge as Orthodox believers mark Epiphany

Moscow - Emiratesvoice

Russian President Vladimir Putin along with millions of Orthodox believers braved freezing temperatures to take a barechested plunge into icy water in a traditional ritual marking the baptism of Jesus. Surrounded by Orthodox priests and glittering religious icons, and with the temperature hovering around minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 Fahrenheit), Putin lowered himself into waters of Lake Seliger some 350Read more

Russia at UN warns collapse of Iran deal would be 'alarming'

United Nations - Emiratesvoice

Russia on Thursday warned at the UN Security Council that the collapse of the Iranian nuclear deal would send an "alarming" message to the world and compromise efforts to persuade North Korea to scrap its nuclear arsenal. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a council meeting on non-proliferation that the 2015 deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)Read more

Turkey faces diplomatic minefield over new Syria operation

Istanbul - Emiratesvoice

Turkey has ramped up its rhetoric to threaten an imminent cross-border incursion against Kurdish militia in Syria but the attitude of Russia and to a lesser extent the United States will determine the nature of the operation, analysts say. The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia controls key northern Syrian towns including Manbij and Afrin, and is an ally ofRead more

Moscow calls Kiev's 'Russian occupation' law 'preparation for war'

Moscow - Emiratesvoice

Russia said Thursday that Ukraine's passing of a new law recognising the conflict with pro-Moscow separatists in the east of the country as a "temporary Russian occupation" amounted to preparation for war. "You cannot call this anything but preparation for a new war," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement, warning that the move "risked a dangerous escalation inRead more