MOSCOW

Russians challenge doping ban

Geneva - Muslimchronicle

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

Moscow rejects schemes to topple Syrian regime, Yemeni FM slams Houthis

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that Moscow rejects any schemes to topple the Syrian regime. Commenting on developments in Syria, he noted that Russia called for restraint and for respecting Syria’s sovereignty after Turkey launched its military operation in Afrin, north of Syria. During a press conference with his Yemeni counterpart Abdulmalik Al-Mekhlafi in Russia, Lavrov addedRead more

Lavrov accuses US of encouraging separatism among Syrian Kurds

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday accused Washington of stoking separatist sentiment among Syria's Kurds, as Turkey pressed an offensive against US-backed Kurdish militia in northern Syria. "Washington has actively encouraged and continues to encourage separatist sentiments among Kurds," Lavrov told reporters. "This is either a lack of understanding of the situation or an absolutely conscious provocation." source: AFPRead more

Turkey seeks Russian approval for air campaign against Syrian Afrin

Ankara - Muslimchronicle

Turkey dispatched its military chief to Moscow on Thursday, seeking approval for an air campaign in Syria’s Kurdish-controlled Afrin region, although Damascus warned it could shoot down any Turkish planes in its skies. Turkey’s foreign minister said the Moscow trip by Chief of Staff Hulusi Akar was part of talks with both Russia and Iran, the two main backers ofRead more

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

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

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

Barred from election, Navalny vows

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

The Kremlin's top critic Alexei Navalny has slammed Russia's March presidential election, in which he is barred from running, as a sham meant to "re-appoint" Vladimir Putin on his way to becoming "emperor for life". With two months to go before Russians vote in polls that are all but guaranteed to hand Putin a historic fourth term, the 41-year-old opposition leader and anti-corruption campaignerRead more

Putin seeks to be 'emperor for life': Kremlin critic Navalny to AFP

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

The Kremlin's top critic Alexei Navalny has slammed Russia's March presidential election, in which he is barred from running, as a sham meant to "re-appoint" Vladimir Putin on his way to becoming "emperor for life". "This is not an election and my role will consist of explaining to people that this procedure, which they call an election, in fact isRead more

Medvedeva heads skating stars in Moscow

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

Russian ice skating queen Evgenia Medvedeva leads an all-star cast at this week's European championships which carry special significance with the Olympics barely more than a triple axel away. The Pyeongchang Games start in just over three weeks and two-time world champion Medvedeva will be out to press home her claims on the women's Olympic title that has been leftRead more