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Two and a half years after the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, a bizarre medal ceremony took place in Paris to award the figure skating medals. The ceremony was the result of a doping scandal that disqualified the Russian team and led to a lengthy arbitration process to determine the winners. Ultimately, the gold medals were awarded to the American team, who originally finished in second place, while the silver medals went to the Japanese team. The Russian team, who won bronze in the original competition, was not present at the ceremony. The event aimed to address criticisms of the treatment of athletes in medal reallocations, but the passage of time and changes in the skaters' lives added complexity to the situation. [Extracted from the article]

Brady Ellison, a top U.S. archer, credits a bioenergetics expert in Slovenia for helping him overcome injuries and chronic health issues to compete in the Olympics. Ellison suffered from a blood disease as a child and has experienced various injuries throughout his career. After seeking treatment from the Slovenian healer, Stanko Filipic, Ellison was able to shoot pain-free and went on to win tournaments around the world. While bioenergetics is viewed skeptically by many doctors, Ellison believes it has been instrumental in his success. He hopes to win an Olympic gold medal in Paris, but is content leaving the outcome to chance. [Extracted from the article]

Byline: Georgi Kantchev and Akane OtaniJan 01, 2019 (The Australian - ABIX via COMTEX) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 5.6 per cent in 2018, while the S&P 500 [...]

The Russian military is experiencing a high-profile purge as several top defense officials have been detained on corruption charges. Lt. Gen. Vadim Shamarin, the deputy chief of the Russian general staff, is the latest official to be held, accused of large-scale bribery. This crackdown on corruption within the military comes as Russia is engaged in a long war in Ukraine. The purge is seen as an effort to address the chronic corruption that has plagued the armed forces and streamline Russia's war economy. However, the scandal threatens to create divisions within Russia's security establishment at a critical time in the war. [Extracted from the article]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced his defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, with economist Andrei Belousov in a significant shake-up of the military's command structure. This move reflects the central role that the war in Ukraine has played in Russia's economic paradigm. Shoigu, who has faced criticism for his handling of the war, has been appointed as the new secretary of the Security Council. The appointment of Belousov, a loyalist with economic expertise, suggests that defense spending will remain high as Russia continues its military operations in Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. is using sanctions to hinder Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project, a major liquefied natural gas initiative led by Russian President Vladimir Putin. These sanctions have prevented Russia from obtaining the specialized tankers needed to transport the gas and have made it difficult to build alternative vessels domestically. The U.S. aims to ensure that Arctic LNG 2 is "dead in the water," according to Geoffrey Pyatt, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for energy resources. This contest between Russia and the U.S. over LNG comes at a time when LNG demand is increasing globally, and the U.S. has paused approval of new LNG exports due to environmental concerns. Russia, on the other hand, aims to triple its LNG exports to fund the war in Ukraine and offset a decline in its traditional gas export business. The U.S. sanctions have caused delays and challenges for Arctic LNG 2, and it is uncertain whether Russia will be able to achieve its ambitious LNG goals. [Extracted from the article]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV LONDON -- Bulgaria's central bank on Thursday revoked the license of one of the country's biggest lenders and moved to open bankruptcy proceedings. The lender, Corporate Commercial [...]

LONDON -- Bulgaria's central bank on Thursday revoked the license of one of the country's biggest lenders and moved to open bankruptcy proceedings. The lender, Corporate Commercial Bank, also known [...]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV Governments around the world, particularly in emerging markets, are raising taxes on information technologies, threatening to impede economic growth and slow consumers' adoption of smartphones and broadband [...]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV LONDON -- The European Union's banking watchdog has warned that the authorities in Bulgaria have breached European law by continuing to block depositors' access to their money [...]

LONDON -- The European Union's banking watchdog has warned that Bulgaria's authorities have breached European law by continuing to block depositors' access to their money at a large troubled lender [...]

The explosions were so powerful that they annihilated the factory, leaving behind little but two yawning craters. All 15 people in the building were killed, and a mourning nation was [...]

Ukrainian drone strikes have caused severe damage to Russian oil facilities, leading Russia to ban gasoline exports in order to preserve domestic supply. The attacks, which have targeted refineries and other petroleum infrastructure, aim to disrupt fuel supplies to the front line and damage Russia's most important export industry. The drone attacks demonstrate Ukraine's ability to strike critical infrastructure deep inside Russian territory, causing significant damage and prompting monthslong repairs. The disruption to Russia's exports of valuable fuels has contributed to a recent rise in global diesel and gasoline prices. [Extracted from the article]

Yandex, often referred to as Russia's Google, has agreed to sell its Russian assets, including its search engine, to a group of local investors for $5.2 billion. This is the largest corporate exit from Russia since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Yandex will retain some of its assets outside of Russia and plans to rebrand under a new name. The sale reflects Russia's increasing isolation from the West and the diminished status of its tech sector. The Kremlin has welcomed the sale, stating that it is important for Yandex to remain in the country. The deal took around a year and a half to negotiate due to complexities of ownership and finding acceptable buyers. [Extracted from the article]

Thousands of people defied the Kremlin's warnings and attended the funeral of Alexei Navalny in Moscow. The funeral provided an opportunity for people to express their anger at President Vladimir Putin and mourn Navalny, who was seen as one of the few politicians capable of challenging Putin. Security forces largely took a hands-off approach to the procession of mourners, possibly to avoid disrupting the upcoming presidential election. Concern remains high that attendees could face reprisals after the election. Navalny's death has strained relations between Russia and the West and has also sparked criticism within Russia. [Extracted from the article]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the West of the risk of nuclear war if troops are sent to fight in Ukraine. While Putin has made similar threats before, the context of the current situation has made them more significant. The warnings come at a time of heightened anxiety in Europe about the US commitment to security, and as global arms-control mechanisms are disintegrating. The talk of nuclear escalation reinforces Putin's framing of the war in Ukraine as an existential conflict with the West. [Extracted from the article]

Russia has successfully adjusted its economy to withstand Western sanctions imposed in response to the invasion of Ukraine. The country has deepened its trade relationship with China, with half of its oil and petroleum exports going to China in 2023. Russia has also increased its use of the Chinese yuan in its exports, overtaking the U.S. dollar. Additionally, Russia has found alternative trade routes through ex-Soviet republics and has used a network of tankers not owned or insured by Western countries to bypass sanctions. Despite the sanctions, Russia has still been able to acquire a significant portion of its battlefield components from Western companies. The war has also affected Russian consumers, with foreign travel being disrupted, but Russians are still traveling to destinations like Dubai and Thailand. [Extracted from the article]

Western sanctions imposed on Russia since February 2022 have not succeeded in stopping Russia's war machine, according to Western officials and experts. While the sanctions have damaged Russia's economy and arms-production capacity, their impact has been slower than anticipated. Western countries are now adopting new sanctions against Russia, including targeting companies from mainland China. However, Russia has been able to evade some sanctions by increasing trade with China, India, and other countries not subscribing to Western measures. The effectiveness of the sanctions in the long term remains uncertain, but Western officials believe they will eventually strangle the Russian economy and defense industry. [Extracted from the article]

A dual U.S.-Russian citizen has been detained in Russia on suspicion of treason. The woman, a 33-year-old resident of Los Angeles, is accused of raising money for the Ukrainian war effort and participating in "public actions" in support of Kyiv. She could face a sentence of up to life in prison. This incident adds to the list of American citizens currently being held in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Michigan corporate-security executive Paul Whelan. Another American, Alsu Kurmasheva, who works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has also been detained in Russia. The State Department is reviewing her case. [Extracted from the article]

Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly stated that he prefers President Biden over former President Trump in the U.S. election. Putin described Biden as more experienced and predictable. However, current and former U.S. officials expressed skepticism towards Putin's remarks, citing Russia's previous attempts to boost Trump and harm Democrats in elections. Putin also criticized Biden's administration's policies towards Russia, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. Trump responded to Putin's comments by claiming that Putin wants Biden to be president because he believes he will be given everything he wants, including Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses a surge in aviation safety incidents in Russia, which is attributed to the country's struggle to source spare parts and conduct proper maintenance due to Western sanctions. The data shows that safety incidents have increased significantly in Russia, with incidents occurring about 9.9 times in every 100,000 departures in 2023 compared to 5 in 2022. While most incidents did not result in serious injuries, safety specialists warn that persistent mechanical issues pose a major risk to passenger safety. The article also highlights the impact of sanctions on Russia's ability to train new pilots and maintain its aviation industry. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. has been declared the winner of the 2022 Olympic team figure skating competition after the Russian results were voided due to the disqualification of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva for doping. The decision by the International Skating Union is the first time Team USA has been assigned gold medals for the event. However, the Russian Olympic Committee plans to challenge the decision and has begun preparing documents for an appeal. The situation is part of a larger geopolitical saga and may result in multiple legal arguments and medal ceremonies. [Extracted from the article]

The war in Ukraine has had a significant impact on Russia's economy, as evidenced by the soaring price of eggs. Western sanctions have disrupted the poultry industry's supply chains, while the weak ruble has made imports more expensive. Additionally, booming government spending and increased wages have fueled demand for food and other goods. These factors have contributed to an annual inflation rate of 7.4% and a housing bubble. The egg crisis highlights the challenges Russia faces in balancing the financing of the war, addressing popular discontent, and maintaining a stable economy. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the current state of the war between Russia and Ukraine. It highlights the differences in military capacity, equipment, manpower, and economy between the two countries. Russia's military budget has increased significantly, allowing it to sustain a prolonged conflict. Ukraine, on the other hand, is facing a shortage of manpower and dwindling Western support. The article also mentions the political dynamics, with growing concerns about the depth of U.S. commitment to Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

LONDON -- In the Little Venice neighborhood of west London, the boats' names appear as colorful as their paint does. The crimson Mayflower bobs in front of the dark green [...]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV LONDON -- In the Little Venice neighborhood of west London, the boats' names appear as colorful as their paint: the crimson Mayflower bobs in front of the [...]

LONDON -- In the Little Venice neighborhood of west London, the boats' names appear as colorful as their paint does. The crimson Mayflower bobs in front of the dark green [...]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV SOFIA, Bulgaria -- What seemed at first to be a short-term banking crisis is looking more like a chronic condition. But the name of the affliction probably [...]

SOFIA, Bulgaria -- What seemed at first to be a short-term banking crisis is looking more like a chronic condition. But the name of the affliction probably does not matter [...]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV ASTANA, Kazakhstan -- Seventeen years ago, when Kazakhstan moved its capital here, the city of Astana didn't even exist. Back then, it was a small town in [...]

ASTANA, Kazakhstan -- Seventeen years ago, when Kazakhstan moved its capital here, the city of Astana didn't even exist. Back then, it was a small town in the middle of [...]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV Pressure is building on Bulgaria to deal with its worst banking crisis since the 1990s as the European Union and international investors have issued warnings about the [...]

Pressure is building on Bulgaria to deal with its worst banking crisis since the 1990s as the European Union and international investors have issued warnings about the fate of one [...]

LONDON -- When Jamie Spafford, a 27-year-old Briton, passed through airport passport control during a visit to New York a few months ago, the immigration agent seemed skeptical about Mr. [...]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV LONDON -- When Jamie Spafford, a 27-year-old Briton, passed through airport passport control during a visit to New York a few months ago, the immigration agent seemed [...]

LONDON -- When Jamie Spafford, a 27-year-old Briton, passed through airport passport control during a visit to New York a few months ago, the immigration agent seemed skeptical about Mr. [...]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV LONDON -- The fate of one of the biggest banks in the European Union's poorest country, Bulgaria, remains hostage to the political crisis that caused the government [...]

The fate of one of the biggest banks in the European Union's poorest country, Bulgaria, remains hostage to a political crisis, which caused the prime minister's government to resign on [...]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV The future of Bulgaria's Corporate Commercial Bank, which experienced a run last month, has become murkier after officials failed to agree on a rescue plan, prolonging the [...]

Byline: GEORGI KANTCHEV The fate of Bulgaria's fourth-largest bank, which was hit by a run last month, has become murkier after officials failed to agree on a plan to rescue [...]