Russia

MOSCOW: Russian hurdler Sergey Shubenkov has been cleared in what the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Tuesday was a "genuinely exceptional" doping case involving a diuretic prescribed to a family member. The AIU, which oversees integrity issues in global athletics, said that a low concentration of acetazolamide had been found in Shubenkov's out-of-competition sample collected in December 2020. The substance is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) list of prohibited diuretics and masking agents and is banned both in and out-of-competition. Shubenkov, the 2015 world champion and silver medallist at the 2019 worlds in the 110 metres hurdles, told the unit that the finding was linked to the residue of a medication taken by a family member. "After a thorough investigation of the athlete's explanation during results management process, the AIU accepted that the positive finding resulted from his unintentional ingestion of residue from medication being used to treat a ... » Learn More about Athletics-Russia’s Shubenkov cleared in ‘genuinely exceptional’ doping case – AIU

COPENHAGEN: Danish soccer fans, on a high after their team's Euro 2020 victory over Russia on Monday, may be able to take advantage of a loophole in COVID-19 travel restrictions to attend Saturday's last-16 match against Wales in Amsterdam, Danish authorities say. Denmark qualified for the knockout stages in dramatic fashion on Monday after a resounding 4-1 win over Russia, supported by an ecstatic crowd in Copenhagen. But the Dutch authorities regard Denmark as a "high risk country", meaning travellers will need to isolate up to 10 days upon entering the Netherlands. Dedicated supporters, however, could take advantage of a get-out clause in the Dutch rules. "If you're only in the Netherlands for 12 hours, then you're exempt from isolation," Erik Rasmussen, an official with Denmark's foreign ministry, told a news briefing on Tuesday. "It should be technically possible. (Get) in, get the rapid test you need before you go to the stadium, watch the match, and get out of ... » Learn More about Soccer-Twelve hours in Amsterdam: Danish fans eye travel loophole for Wales match

Iran and world powers have made headway in talks to save the 2015 nuclear accord though much more work is needed, a senior European Union official said on Tuesday, April 20, with meetings to resume next week after consultations in their respective capitals. "Progress made over the last two weeks," European External Action Service Deputy Secretary General Enrique Mora said on Twitter. "But much more hard work needed. Third expert group was created to address sequencing issues." The talks, aimed at bringing Iran and the United States back into compliance with the nuclear deal will pick up again next week based on progress achieved so far, Russian and Chinese officials said earlier on Tuesday. Iran and world powers have been meeting in Vienna since early April to hammer out steps that must be taken, touching on US sanctions and Tehran's breaches of the deal's limits on its uranium enrichment capacity. "Today the Joint Commission of #JCPOA took note with ... » Learn More about Much more work needed in Iran nuclear talks despite progress, EU says

BERLIN: Germany needs an honest discussion about how to deal with trading partners such as China and must not duck confrontation if red lines on human rights are crossed, the head of the influential BDI industry association said on Tuesday (Jun 22). China has become Germany’s most important trading partner and German exports there have helped mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Europe’s biggest economy. However, concerns about China's growing assertiveness and its human rights record have caused concern. In a speech at an industry event, BDI President Siegfried Russwurm said Europe and Western countries needed to adopt a confident approach towards "difficult" customers and competitors such as China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil. "We need an honest discussion about how we deal with autocratic trading partners," he said. "We advocate responsible coexistence and cooperation - with clear boundaries." He added that part of that approach was accepting that different ... » Learn More about Germany must confront China on human rights despite trade, says industry group

COPENHAGEN: Denmark captain Simon Kjaer considered not playing in his side's Euro 2020 Group B game against Belgium after playmaker Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in their opening match against Finland. The central defender is credited with helping to save the life of Eriksen, who has since been discharged from hospital, thanks to his quick action when his team mate collapsed just before halftime in the 1-0 loss to Finland 10 days ago. "The idea was not that I would stop playing football completely, but if I would be ready to play football again four days later," Kjaer told broadcaster Danmarks Radio on Tuesday. "I didn’t know if I was going to play football again right away after what happened that night. And then you come to a point where you want to try, but you do not know. But the way we have tackled it together is something we can only be proud of. I am very proud of the lads and the whole staff," Kjaer added. The Danes lost 2-1 to Belgium and needed a 4-1 ... » Learn More about Football: Denmark captain Kjaer considered not playing in Belgium game